Voice: (916) 688-7396
FAX: (916) 688-7349
Email address: baldwid@crc.losrios.cc.ca.us
or: DBaldwin@ix.netcom.com
I am interested in radio production, especially as it relates to Radio Theatre. To this end, I attended the Midwest Radio Theatre Workshop (MRTW) in Columbia, MO during the month of May, 1997 and participated in a live 2 1/2 hour radio broadcast over two stations covering mid-Missouri. The tape of that program will be disseminated to all of the NPR (National Public Radio) stations in the United States. I have recently discovered a new web site called Radio Theater On The Web. I also have an interest in Voice and Diction production. Part of my involvement in the MRTW was acting in "The Little Canoe," an original radio play by Anne P. Fleming. I developed a New York Taxi Driver accent for the comic relief feature of this drama. My involvement in MRTW has spurred my own involvement in radio theater, and my students produced the first radio theater program during the Fall semester, 1997. It was a live re-creation of a Norman Corwin play entitled "Anatomy of Sound." The play included over 60 sound effects, many of them created live during the production. The play was received warmly by those who were in attendance. The production of live sound effects as well as pre-recorded sound effects were a challenge to my students. The play was recorded on an eight-track A-DAT tape, and is currently undergoing post-production. When completed, we hope to have it available for radio play. The following semester, my students produced the second in the series of Norman Corwin plays, "The Undecided Molecule," a fantasy in verse about a molecule that is charged with being a non-conformist. It was one of Corwin's most wonderful fantasies, and originally starred Groucho Marx as the judge. Following semesters saw my students creating Corwin's "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas," and "Radio Primer." At the 'Primer' production, I was able to induce Norman to fly up from his home in Hollywood and interviewed him in front of the staff and student body. He attended the final performance of "Radio Primer," and made wonderful critiques of the students' performances. In the Fall semester, 1999, my students produced two plays: "My Client Curley" and a repeat (with a new cast) of "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas." Short video clips of my interview with Norman were shown before and between the two plays. During the Spring, 2000 semester, we will present "Mary and the Fairy," and a repeat of "The Undecided Molecule."
My family is the ultimate interest of my life. My wife of 35 years, Jeanne Ellen (Wetterau) Baldwin, is the head teacher for a health careers exploration program with the ROP (Regional Occupations Program) for the Sacramento County Office of Education and has served admirably as president or member of several state-wide organizations. My son, Eric Christopher Baldwin, is an actor/writer/director in the Los Angeles area (no, he's not one of 'those' Baldwin brothers), and makes his primary income through work with Universal Studios. Although he has several stage and film credits on his acting resume, he also directs plays in the Los Angeles area and writes (and/or rewrites) plays for stage or film production (most recently for a Tampa Bay, Florida stage company). He is currently acting in Shakespeare's "Richard II" at the Knightsbridge theater in Pasadena and has a role in "Tis Pity She's a Whore" at the same theater. My daughter, Megan Kathleen Baldwin, is a student at California State University, Sacramento and earns her living as a recreational aide in the '4th R' program with the Sacramento City Parks and Recreation Department.
Outside of my life as a College Professor, I am interested in genealogical research. My wife and I spend at least one week each summer doing research in Salt Lake City at the Family History Library. In concert with friends and/or family, we have also travelled multiple times to Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, as well as Germany, France, Switzerland, and other European countries to seek information on our ancestry. I've done a great deal of research on my ancestry. In order to share that research on the Internet, I am indebted to Elaine Johnson for her pedigree chart formats. To communicate with other Baldwins, I use the Baldwin Family Home Page.
When not engaged in teaching or research, I am an avid racquetball fanatic. I play at least three times a week, a minimum of two hours per session. I have won several awards both in individual and doubles events. In the past, I have been ranked among the top twelve amateur racquetball players in California, in each of three separate age classifications. I encourage my racquetball friends to visit Ed Arias' Racquetball Page.
I teach several courses in Radio Production and/or Radio History:
Communications Media 26 "History of American Radio, 1920-1950," is an audiotutorial one-unit course that takes approximately 25 hours to complete and meets only once at the beginning of each of the two nine-week sessions and then at the end of study at which time a final examination is administered.
Catalog description: An introductory study of radio as a cultural medium in American society from the 1920's to the 1950's. Examples from popular programs in comedy, news, sports, mystery and adventure, serials, music and drama are included.
Communications Media 56 "Radio Studio Operations," is a three unit course designed to prepare students to be 'Sound Designers,' capable of working in the fields of Radio, Television, Film and/or Music Recording. The course involves intensive study of text material covering all four of the above-mentioned media, and production of recorded and non-recorded radio laboratory assignments. For samples of my students grasp of audio concepts, please visit my student's page.
Catalog description: Theory and operation of audio broadcast equipment and control room. Must be taken prior to Radio Workshop.
Communications Media 66 "Introduction to Radio Workshop" (3 units) and/or Communications Media 76 "Radio Workshop" (2 units), either of which may be taken up to two times each, are courses designed to allow for individual involvement in Radio Production and/or Radio Broadcasting. In these courses, students participate in live and/or recorded radio productions (DJ shows, Radio Theatre, etc.) which are sent live onto the on-campus radio station and recorded for later reproduction on the local cable FM station. During the Fall semester, 1997, my students re-created a Norman Corwin radio drama entitled "Anatomy of Sound," which was first produced in 1941 as part of the "Twenty-Six by Corwin" radio series. The play uses just one voice, but incorporates over 60 sound effects during the half-hour production. Most of those sound effects are produced live in front of a studio audience, much as early (1940) radio was produced. I am extremely indebted to Norman Corwin, the acclaimed poet-laureate of the golden age of radio who has approved of my students performing the play. Norman is, at the age of 88, continuing to work in the field of radio production (he has currently produced five of the six new programs to be aired over National Public Radio), and teaches at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California (USC). During the spring semester, 1998, my students also recreated Corwin's fantasy in verse, "The Undecided Molecule," to an enthusiastic audience. In the Fall semester, the workshop will re-create another of Corwin's fantasies in verse, "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas." It was originally produced in 1938, so our production will be near the 60th Anniversary of its original production.
Catalog description: Advanced radio production. Planning, producing and participating in original radio programs for broadcast over local or campus stations, using both the college and the community as subject matter. Practice in the techniques of live broadcasting. May be taken two times for credit.
Communications Media 86 "Automaated Radio," is a three unit course designed to prepare students to be operate a Live, Live-Assist and fully Automated Radio Station, using the Arrakis Digilink Automation system.
Catalog description:
Communications Media 95C "Radio Drama," is a one unit course.
Catalog description:I teach two courses in Speech:
Speech 1 "Speech Communication," is the basic public speaking course fulfilling the general education requirement for all students.
Catalog description: Explore the theory and technique of effective public speaking. Learn ways to research, organize and present clear messages to audiences. Examine and develop good listening habits as you and other classmates give informative and persuasive presentations.
Speech 7 "Voice and Diction," is recommended for all Public Speaking, Drama and Media majors and is also recommended for ESL (English as a Second Language) students to extend their understanding of and proficiency with the English language.
Catalog description: Individual speech improvement practice in correct breathing, voice control, and diction. Study of correct pronunciation, enunciation, and voice production. Interpretation of selections chosen by students and instructor. Intended for public speaking, drama and media majors.