Finding A Freshman Chemistry Tutor Free Of Charge

Finding A Freshman Chemistry Tutor Free Of ChargeIf you want to find a freshman chemistry tutor free of charge then you can do so by using the Internet. There are plenty of websites on the internet that claim to provide this service but in reality, all they are trying to do is to scam you out of your money. Before you spend your hard earned money on a college tuition loan, it is a good idea to find out a little bit more about what you are getting into when you choose a tutor.Be sure to take the time to read up on the reputation of the company you are using. If they are reputable then you will not have to worry about being scammed. You should be able to find testimonials for a website before you sign up for a program. If they don't have any, it may be worth calling the Better Business Bureau to see if you can verify their information.You should also consider the needs of your child and find out what your own personal requirements are. For example, if you prefer to work with a large gr oup of students then finding an online program that allows you to set your own class size may be a better option for you. You will also want to make sure the website you use has all the features you need so that you can contact them in case there is an issue that you need to resolve with your student. You may want to be able to schedule some time during the week so that you can go over your lesson plans together.As a new student, you may be used to having a teacher that actually sits in on your class. If this is not an option for you then it may be helpful to find a website that will allow you to communicate with a live individual. It may be a good idea to talk to the person who makes the decisions as well as anyone else in the company that will help you in case you need to reach out to them.It may be a good idea to find out more about the company that you will be working with so that you will know what type of tutoring you will be receiving. They should be willing to provide a sche dule that covers all of the semester's lessons. For some students, they may need a little extra help in terms of mastering the science course. Find out what kind of support you will receive before you sign up for a tutor.When you sign up for a tutor, it is important to find out what your tuition costs will be. This is very important because it will help you budget your money well before you even make your payment. You will also want to find out how long it will take to pay for your tuition through this site. If you find that the site you choose does not have this information, you may want to consider making payments through an alternative form of payment.In addition to this, you will want to find out if the tutor you will be using has previous tutoring experience. This can help to increase your confidence when you are dealing with a tutor. It is also a good idea to ask your instructor if they would be willing to let the tutor to come to your school or college. You may be able to set up a visit with the tutor so that you can be sure they will be an asset to your class.It may be helpful to look into the company that offers you the tutor as well. You may be able to save a lot of money through this company, if you only use them for your chemistry tuition needs. Do some research and see what other options you have for paying for your tuition with a tutor.

Teach Away Telegram - June 2011

Teach Away Telegram - June 2011 In this month's issue, we look at mandatory subjects in different countries, and discuss the importance of integrating technology in the classroom. One teacher shares his experience applying for a position overseas, and why he knows that going to Japan is the ideal move for him.Whether you are in the middle of or wrapping up the current school year, already well into your much-deserved summer break, or starting a new position soon, we hope you are doing well â€" and that you are ready to dive in to the latest Teach Away Telegram.Happy reading! - The Teach Away TeamIn this issue:Mandatory School Subjects Around the WorldTechnology in the ClassroomStarting a New Adventure: A Teacher StoryMandatory School Subjects Around the WorldThe debate over which school subjects should be compulsory for students is nothing new. Curriculum and school programs are often caught in the middle of opposing sides â€" whether to update the courses offered to reflect new requirements and the demands of our modern world, or to return to a ‘back to basics’ approach with the core subjects of Math, Science, and English taking precedence.Math and Science are almost always an essential component of any curriculum. Indeed, our modern world places more and more emphasis on skills typically associated with these subjects, stressing the importance of numeracy, analytical and problem-solving skills. But while some subjects seem to be a given part of the curriculum for all grade levels, and in nearly every country worldwide, some subjects are struggling to maintain ‘required’ status.The arts, physical education, and social studies classes are not always compulsory subjects, depending on where it is one is studying. As well, while English education is on the rise in developing countries, and most countries in Europe mandate that students learn a second or third language throughout their formative years, language education in North America is not as advanced. Though French education is mand atory in Canada and Spanish education is required in the US, the number of modern language courses available outside of French and Spanish in public schools is often dismal.Curriculum design is conducted by school boards and governing bodies. With strains on funding and budget cuts the reality in some countries, and widespread educational reform and a stronger emphasis on improving education in others, it is easy to see how curriculum can be affected by policy and current events.Ultimately, curriculum will continue to change, both due to and regardless of budget concerns and the challenges of our modern world. The challenge is to ensure that despite the constant modifications, the curriculum is meeting students’ needs, both now and for the future.Technology in the ClassroomAs computer labs and internet access become more commonplace in schools, educators are seeking out more interactive and assistive technologies in order to advance student learning. One of the most significant co mponents of any school improvement or educational reform program is an emphasis on integrating technology into the classroom.Large-scale education reform programs like the ones currently underway in Abu Dhabi and Malaysia are not the only examples of how the integration of technology is becoming a large part of the curriculum. Teachers worldwide are making use of technology in order to provide a more dynamic approach.In addition to basic word processors and digital information (such as online encyclopaedias), technology can help teachers maximize the effectiveness of teaching strategies through providing more ways to present a lesson. It also widens the variety of learning activities students can choose, enabling them to express themselves in more current modes of communication.In addition to using technology as a teaching tool, integrating it into the classroom allows students to gain more exposure to new ideas, other cultures, and perhaps most importantly, resources available from all over the world. Students have unprecedented access to educational games, visual and auditory learning tools, and interactive learning software. Teachers are also able to implement assistive technologies that can make adapting or modifying a lesson or assessment method that much easier, and thus, that much more accessible to students with different needs.The creation and expansion of these technologies is not only changing how teachers teach, how students learn, and how students are assessed, but it is also affecting where students learn. Interactive programming enables students to learn from home in an effective and immersive way that does not involve poring over a textbook with no additional information or resources for support. As well, more schools are offering distance and e-learning courses.Not surprisingly, instruction on technology integration is becoming a requirement for many teacher training programs. In addition to better training for teachers, the availability of mo re grants and funding for technology programs, and with more teaching and learning tools being developed regularly, it is a very exciting time for teachers integrating technology into their classroom.Starting A New Adventure: A Teacher StoryThis month, we spoke with Ryan Patterson, a California native who recently accepted a job offer to teach in Japan. We asked Ryan about why he wants to teach overseas, why he is heading to Japan, and what anyone considering a position abroad should know when applying.When asked about why he is interested in teaching overseas and why he wants to work in Japan in particular, it is evident that for Ryan Patterson, the choice was obvious. “I have been to Japan three times,” he explains. “And I absolutely love it.” Ryan visited Japan twice prior to university; he took part in a program during high school where he had the opportunity to stay with a host family and attend a local high school with the family’s children. During these two visits, he learned a lot about Japanese culture, explaining that he really began to appreciate the way of life in Japan. While at university, Ryan decided to return to Japan to spend a year living and studying in Tokyo.“I wanted to gain even more understanding. I was exposed to more culture and more language in a more in-depth and comprehensive way. I took classes alongside other Japanese students, and I loved it. I was learning a lot,” he says, sounding cheerful at the thought of his year abroad.“While studying in Tokyo, I got the chance to teach English to friends and the family I was staying with, and I realized that I really enjoyed it. I decided that teaching English was something I wanted to pursue. Before I even returned home, I knew I wanted to return to Japan to teach English.”Although he has already spent time in Japan, Ryan knows that he will gain a lot from the experience. “I’m hoping to see Japan in a new way,” he explains. “I’ve seen it from a tourist’s per spective, I’ve seen it from a student’s perspective, and now I will see it in a new way. I want to be exposed to more of the culture, to have the chance to improve my language skills â€" and I’m excited to see how that turns out.”Ryan is looking forward to being able to speak Japanese 24 hours a day, which will give him a chance to practice his skills. He is hoping to gain enough Japanese language fluency to allow him to go to graduate school in Japan.Despite the challenge of moving one’s life to a new country, and despite knowing he will miss certain things about home (“Mexican food!”), Ryan’s words of advice for anyone thinking about applying are encouraging: “Definitely do it! It’s worth it. Don’t panic.” He says the being flexible is the key to having a positive experience. “You can’t expect things to be the way you want them to be. You need to know that things will be completely different from what you might expect, and that it’s going to be alrigh t. It’s supposed to be foreign to you. If you have an open mind, you’ll love the experience.”Ryan departs for Japan this August.

Should You Hire a Tutor TV Program or Not?

Should You Hire a Tutor TV Program or Not?In the past I've written a few articles on different aspects of whether a tutor TV program is right for your child. Today, I'll be talking about whether you should hire a tutor TV program or not.First, I think there are two major benefits to hiring private tutors. One is that they are typically much more affordable than what you'd pay if you were paying a public or school teacher. Private tutors can often have lower rates than in-home teachers, which means you'll save a lot of money over the long run.Another reason why I believe hiring a private tutor is better is because there's usually no discrimination involved. Whereas when you're dealing with a teacher at school, there is always some type of bias against certain groups, a private tutor will never discriminate because they don't want to offend anybody. That's nice because it ensures that everybody gets a fair shake regardless of their ability.However, I also think the benefits of an onlin e tutor TV program are much more important. Online tutors are typically much more expensive than teachers you'd find at your local library or school. They're also much more mobile, meaning that they could go from one place to another, work with kids who might not be able to afford their own tuition.In other words, the fact that they're so much more affordable, the fact that they're mobile, and the fact that they're working with kids who can't otherwise afford their own tuition puts them at a much higher price than a tutor TV program. There's a big difference between hiring a tutor TV program and hiring a private tutor.In my opinion, if you're looking for cheaper tuition, a tutor TV program is usually the way to go. However, if you looking for the best quality education and you can't afford a private tutor, you need to consider an online tutor.Overall, I think the best decision for you is whether you'd rather spend the money on a tutor TV program or not. After all, if you can't affor d a private tutor to teach your kid, it doesn't make sense to pay a ridiculous price for a tutor TV program.

Where to Find Your Chemistry Class

Where to Find Your Chemistry ClassThere are many different types of courses that can be completed within your Chemistry org. As you begin to understand these, you can begin to see how each will make you a better scientist and ultimately, an effective and productive chemist.A Chemistry course will be tailored to your individual learning style. You may need a more formal course to have everything in writing, while other courses will be designed to include less paperwork. The more you learn the more you will appreciate your progress and your ability to apply what you learn.To succeed you will need to understand the concepts involved with the actual laboratory work. Knowing the chemistry and being able to perform experiments will make all the difference in your research and the people you turn into successful chemists. Experiments will help you understand how the properties of various chemicals react. Also you will be able to understand the differences between compounds.It is also import ant to understand that there are two types of chemistry, analytical and descriptive. The descriptive chemistry you will learn will cover things like coloration, aromas, and the components of a chemical, as well as techniques to identify what your sample is made of. Analytical chemists will continue on with the actual laboratory work.The important aspect of any chemistry course is learning how to explain and analyze things. This will determine whether or not you are able to present your results in a way that makes sense. This means that you will need to have good writing skills to be able to communicate what you know to your classmates. This way you will be able to accurately describe things, make connections and find the details that need to be understood.You can also take a chemistry course to help you with your undergraduate major. One of the most common is an introductory course that will give you the knowledge that you need to succeed at the college level.If you would like to co mplete a common organic chemistry course, you should consider enrolling in an Intro to Organic Chemistry course. This will give you the background that you need to start on your path to becoming a quality Chemist. In order to get the best results possible, you will need to understand the fundamentals, as well as the specific chemicals and techniques used in the laboratory.

Learn French in France How to Study Abroad

Learn French in France How to Study Abroad Megan L. Do you dream of attending classes in France? French tutor  Carol Beth L.  has done just that! Here, she shares how to study abroad in France, and the questions you must answer before you go 1) What kind of program are you searching for? Many students study abroad for a semester or for a year as an undergraduate. If this is your situation, your college or university will likely have one or more  approved programs to  which you can apply. While  some programs may be best suited for  French majors and minors, if you are studying another subject, look for a program with that  subject  in mind, and  present your suitability for the course. For example, perhaps you have an interest in art. The program, the city, or France itself is a particularly notable opportunity to expand your studies in the subject. That said, sometimes, these college or university programs can be difficult to fit into your college program. They  will have certain requirements and/or a limit to the numbers of students to be admitted, and so they can also be competitive. Finally,  perhaps you are not currently in college, but still want the experience of studying and living abroad. In any  of these  cases, consider attending an independent summer or semester-long program. Some students take a semester off and adjust their graduation schedule to accommodate such international learning opportunities. Though it becomes more difficult after college to maintain a sufficiently flexible schedule to accommodate such trips, some people are able to do it, either by saving vacation time, taking leave or sabbatical time, using the opportunity for  professional development, or finding time between jobs. You may even be able to do an exchange as part of your job, or teach there for a year. 2) Does your language level fit the program you are seeking to attend? College and university programs will basically want to be able to verify that you are capable of completing college-level work in French. If your proficiency in French is not very high (or even non-existent), other independent programs are often more flexible. 3) Where will your program be? Paris is probably the most common city for study abroad programs. The Sorbonne even has classes  for foreigners wishing to learn French (les Cours de Civilisation Française). If you are setting up your program  through your college or university, they should be able to tell you which cities are available to study abroad in. Depending on your institution, it may be more difficult or impossible to go to a city that is not pre-approved, but some institutions do allow it. If you are studying  independent of a university, you may have greater range of geographic options. Many, if not most, of Frances major cities (as well as some in Belgium, Switzerland, and other French-speaking countries)  host or have hosted foreign students at one time or another. 4) What will your housing be like? International students in France usually have a couple of options when it comes to finding housing. Some rent an apartment on their own or with classmates or friends. Others find homestays. Often, your study abroad program can help you find housing, but you may need to finalize it on your own. In Paris, international students are also eligible to apply for housing in the Cité Universitaire, student dormitories just south of the city. From there, it is a quick ride to the Latin Quarter, where many students have their classes. 5) What will you use for transportation? Hint: The answer most likely will not be “a car.” Bringing a car trans-Atlantic is impractical, and buying one there is probably more expensive than its worth, especially if youre not there for very long. Additionally, though you wouldnt necessarily need to pass the notoriously difficult French driving test, you would need to obtain and carry a notarized translation of your driving license. As an alternative, consider taking public transportation. In many cities, public transportation is very good. For example, Paris is home to one of the best subway systems in the world, and even many locals dont bother with a car unless theyre leaving the city. Buying a monthly pass is, for many, the best option available. Even if you decide to leave the city where you are studying, the European train system is more developed than the United States system, and flying is also an option for longer distances. 6) What are your plans for food? Dining  out in France is wonderful, but be prepared to make your own food from time to time. Many French cities, like Paris, have open-air markets with fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. Local grocery stores can supply you with some basics; chains like Monoprix can also help. Though many chains have started providing bags, French stores have traditionally required customers to bring their own. Even at the stores that do provide bags, you may see many people bring their own reusable ones. You may wish to get in the habit of bringing a bag  just in case, especially if you will be visiting smaller, locally-run stores. Nonetheless, be sure to set aside part of your budget for eating out and having drinks with friends. This is a relatively common way to catch up with people outside of work and school. 7) How do you plan to meet the locals? If you want to improve your conversation skills  in French (as  most students studying abroad in France do),  finding local French friends is a huge help. One easy way to do this is to take your interests to your new city. Play a musical instrument? Try to locate a local amateur or college orchestra, or other music-related opportunities. Like to play sports? Keep an eye out for a local rugby or soccer team. And if you regularly attend church, mosque, synagogue, or temple, try to find one that will also allow you to connect with French-speaking locals. France has become increasingly international, so even topics that dont originate in France, such as manga or swing dance, will still have some fans. 8) How will  you handle cultural differences?Are local customs different than what you are used to? If the locals think a little differently on some topics, appreciate those  differences. If you encounter a difference that you would consider to be ridiculous or extreme, dont take it personally.  Either side could be right, wrong, or neither. The Paris subway, for example, is usually fabulous compared to U.S. public transit, and drivers license tests are very expensive and difficult to pass. As a result, teenagers dont put as much of a priority as their American counterparts on obtaining a license, and many people dont have or dont use their cars. The exception is when the subway workers decide to go on strike. And when they do, Parisian professors and employers know that people are going to have transportation issues, so tardiness is often treated a bit more lightly during that time. In more general terms, the French also like to discuss things a bit more than Americans do. Sometimes it may seem that everyone has an opinion on everything, and that they like to add the hows and whys into their discussion. To someone like myself, who had always lived in the more laid-back Southern California, this can  sometimes come across as argumentative. 9) What cultural and historic sites will you be near? In Paris alone, there are many historic sites and museums. Even Versailles is only a short train ride outside the city. Near Toulouse, you can find the castle of Carcassonne. Take note  of what is nearby, and consider taking a weekend or two to visit different sites. (Editors Note: Weekend Student Adventures offers great guided tours in Paris!) 10) Will you have resources and days off to allow you to visit other notable areas of France and/or Europe? Sometimes, students have the opportunity to travel Europe during the summer before or after their semester abroad. During my semester abroad, we had several weeks of classes in Paris after winter break, and for many students, it was less expensive to stay in France than to buy an extra round-trip ticket home for the holidays. A classmate and I took the opportunity to visit some sites in northwestern France, including several castles of the Loire Valley and Mont Saint-Michel. While not everyone can do this, know your schedule and resources so that you can create plans  if the opportunity arises. Most of all, enjoy and learn from your stay abroad, and bring back your experiences to  share with your American classmates and colleagues. Are you planning to study abroad in France, or have you been before? Share your plans or experiences in the comments below! Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth L. teaches  French lessons in San Francisco, CA. She has her Masters in French language education from the Sorbonne University in Paris and has been teaching since 2009.  Learn more about Carol Beth here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

A Student Review of Tufts University

A Student Review of Tufts University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Julia is a San Francisco-Bay Area tutor and 2011 graduate of Tufts University. She holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and tutors several subjects, specializing inElementary Math tutoring, Psychology tutoring, and SAT prep tutoring. Check out what Julia had to say about her time at Tufts University: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Julia: Tufts University is a very small campus, so it is possible to walk everywhere. You will be in great shape walking up and down the hills all day! You really only need a car if you are traveling off-campus for grocery shopping or other tasks. The T (or subway) is great if you want to go into Boston, and it is easy to catch it from Davis Square. Davis Square is about a 15-minute walk from campus, but there is also a shuttle that travels back and forth. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Julia: I had great experiences with my professors and my adviser. When I first started school, I was very stubborn about not wanting to ask for help. However, I soon realized that I was really only letting myself down. All of the professors that I went to for help were thrilled that I was showing initiative and interest in the topic, and they made themselves very available to me. Part of the reason I chose to go to a smaller school was to have relationships with faculty members, and I feel I was able to achieve this. I cannot say enough good things about my adviser! He was absolutely amazing. We developed a strong relationship, and I am still in contact with him today. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Julia: I really enjoyed dorm life! I only spent my freshman year in a dorm, as I went on to live in my sorority house and off-campus. The dorm rooms are pretty simple, but it is easy to decorate and personalize them. There are two dining halls on campus, one that is uphill and one that is downhill. Everyone has a preference about which they like better, but they are both great. Tufts University has pretty fantastic food, so avoid the Freshman 15! I loved my freshman year dorm because it was very centrally located. I was 100 feet from the dining hall, and all of my classes were a five-minute walk away. Tufts University always has a million things going on, so there are many socialization opportunities available! Just check Tuftslife.com. At the beginning of the school year, there are a lot of events planned just for freshmen, so you can make friends easily and quickly. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Julia: Tufts University has a great International Relations department and a very highly rated Child Development department. I minored in Child Development and majored in Psychology. I chose to study Psychology because I loved my introductory classes, and all of the professors that I had were great. Tufts University does not make you choose a major until the end of your sophomore year, and they encourage you to take classes in many different fields. They really support you in finding the right fit. I loved my department and my adviser, and I do not think I have met anyone who does not feel the same. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Julia: Tufts University does not have a large Greek life. There were three sororities while I was attending school (2007-2011) and about ten fraternities. There is absolutely no need to join Greek life to make friends, because there are tons of other clubs, groups, teams, etc. It was also easy to make friends in my dorm and in my classes. I did choose to join a sorority because I wanted to expand my social circle even more. Everyone in my sorority was involved in several different campus activities, so by joining the sorority, I also ended up involved in sports, clubs, and philanthropic activities. Tufts University also offers pre-orientation groups for freshmen, which I highly recommend! I did the wilderness pre-orientation group, which involves backpacking along the Appalachian Trail for about five days before school starts. This ensures that you already know a few people when you get to campus, which I greatly appreciated. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Julia: I cannot say that I used the Career Center very much, but I heard good things about it. There is a large job fair in the spring that attracts a lot of great companies. Everyone I know ended up with a job they were happy with after graduation, and many of my friends have gone on to medical school or law school. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Julia: I love Tisch Library at Tufts University. First, it is huge, so you never have to worry about finding somewhere to sit. It also has social areas where you can sit with friends, eat snacks, and talk. (There are quiet areas for when you really need to get down to business.) There are several smaller libraries on campus that friends of mine went to, but I was always happy with Tisch Library. There are also several cafes on and around campus that I went to when I got sick of the library. I did not spend a lot of time in my dorm lounge. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Julia: Tufts University is in a really great location. It has its own downtown area (Davis Square), but it is also very close to Cambridge and Boston. I probably went into Davis Square once or twice a week and into Cambridge or Boston once a month. Campus life is pretty fun, so leaving campus was not necessary. However, there were some fun bars and restaurants in Davis Square, as well as a movie theater/concert venue. When you wanted to go shopping or to an area bigger than Davis Square, Cambridge was a five-minute subway ride away, and downtown Boston was about 20 minutes away. I remember going to the aquarium in Boston, checking out Quincy Market and the North End, walking down Newbury Street, and visiting the Boston Commons. Overall, it was an amazing place to go to school. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Julia: Size was a big part of my attraction to Tufts University. I knew I wanted a school that was bigger than my high school, because I did not want to know everyone by the time I graduated. I wanted to constantly be meeting new people! However, I also did not want to be overwhelmed by the student body. I wanted to find a niche that I was comfortable with, and I did not want to get lost in the shuffle. Tufts University was the perfect size for that, with about 5,000 undergraduates. Introductory classes were always pretty large, but most of my classes by junior and senior year were under 20 people, some even under 10. It was great to have classes that small because they were much more personal. Professors actually knew your name and got to know you over the course of the semester. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Julia: During my sophomore year, I ended up in a class that was very difficult for me. For some reason, the information did not click. After the first test, I realized I was going to have to change my strategy if I was going to earn a passing grade. I began sitting in the front row, asking the professor lots of questions before and after class, and studying a lot. When our final exam was approaching, I hit the books, and I hit them hard. I went into the exam feeling really good but that did not last long. I left the test close to tears I was sure I had failed. I was waiting outside the classroom for a friend of mine to finish when the professor came out to check on me. When he asked how I thought the test had gone, I broke into tears. I still remember what my professor said to me at that moment: This test is just a small part of your grade. I have seen the effort you have put into this class, and I know how hard you have worked. I see you in the front row every class, and all of tha t will be reflected in your grade. Later that day, he emailed me to let me know that I had ended up with a B in the class. This moment sticks out in my mind because it was the first time I realized how much the professors really cared. He wanted me to do well almost as much as I wanted to do well! It also felt really good to know that my hard work was noticed and appreciated, even in a subject that was really difficult for me. That moment taught me to always put in the extra effort because you never know who is paying attention. Check out Julias tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Hamilton

Hamilton Hamilton: the Rapping, Singing, Musical Sensation ChaptersA Brief Synopsis of HamiltonProduction NotesOpening Night for HamiltonHamilton: Awards and RecognitionThe last few years had been intense. The man needed a holiday so he packed for tropical climes and grabbed a non-fiction book he’d been looking for a chance to read… anything that didn’t remind him of musical theatre!Unfortunately â€" or fortunately, depending on how you look at things, it only took a couple of chapters for Lin-Manuel Miranda to visualise the life and times of President Alexander Hamilton as a Broadway musical.Go ahead, read that again; we’ll wait. After all, it takes a while to internalise how the life and deeds of a long-dead American president could become a stage show, complete with contemporary dance and a racially integrated cast at the hands of a creative team.Welcome back!While you were digesting that bit of information, we did some checking. There have been many films made that involve presidents and even a couple of only partially fictionali sed biopics of presidents.Perhaps the lives and deeds of American presidents have never been seen remarkable â€" for the most part, anyway.Mr Miranda also did some checking. There has never been a Broadway musical about Alexander Hamilton; indeed, there had only ever been one play written, staged around 100 years ago and likely not performed since.Time for an update, don’t you think?If anyone could bring Hamilton’s story to light and give it the modern twist needed to make it appealing to today’s audiences, it would be Lin-Manuel Miranda.Let’s see how he did, shall we? TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsA Brief Synopsis of Hamilton Lin-Manuel Miranda plays founding father Alexander Hamilton Source: Wikipedia Credit: Steve JurvetsonThe scene opens on the island of Nevis, in the West Indies. We see an orphaned child scrabbling his existence in any way he can. He is quick-witted and clever, absorbing facts and knowledge like a sponge.In that sense, you might say that Alexander Hamilton is a lot like Oliver Twist…Soon, he leaves his island home behind, gaining passage to the fabulous city of New York, where he promptly falls in with a group whose lives will intertwine with his in the most fatalistic way.They are all competitors â€" against each other and, together, against the world; they are a collection of revolutionaries. Their fiery discourse and new-wave attitudes do not please the English King, whose representatives attempt to assert his authority across the colonies.You must remember that, until the Articles of Confederation were drafted, what became the United States was an English territory.Of all his fr enemies, Aaron Burr is, quite literally, the burr of his life.While Hamilton is assigned to be General George Washington’s right-hand man, Burr is given a battlefield commission (that Hamilton would rather have had for himself).Both men espouse similar political views but, when Burr can’t compete with or even promote himself ahead of Hamilton, he switches political parties to become his rival.Burr made that move out of jealousy; he wanted the same degree of political power that Hamilton had.When President Washington sides with Hamilton over whether to remain neutral in the War of the First Coalition, Burr joins forces with two other cabinet members to discredit Hamilton.Now fired by the newly-elected president Adams, Hamilton has much to fear â€" from Burr and his cronies and from the exposure of his extramarital affair.He thwarts Burr’s plan to discredit him by himself publishing details of his liaison with a woman who was not his wife.Now, reconciled with his wife, Hamilton supports the presidential candidate that Burr loathes. The latter challenges his erstwhile friend to a duel â€" an act that will change his life forever.That duel is the crux of the men’s relationship, on stage and in real life.Hamilton deliberately misses his target while Burr, with deadly intent, shoots to kill. His success ensures that he will be forever remembered as the man who killed the founder of the bank of the United States, Alexander Hamilton.Historical footnote: Mr Burr was never brought to trial for killing Mr Hamilton even though duelling was illegal at the time. However, as mentioned in the show, he did indeed suffer ignominy for the rest of his life, and he was exiled from politics.Do politics also play a role in the musical Cats? The Hamilton cast wearing award-winning costume design Source: Wikipedia Credit Peter SouzaProduction NotesFor all of Mr Miranda’s enthusiasm and energy, Hamilton did not go from concept to reality overnight.In fact, it was while on holiday from playing the role of Usnavi in another Tony Award-winning show he wrote called In the Heights that he conceived Hamilton. He continued on with that role even as he was writing his new hit show.His credits include the Spanish-language production of West Side Story while In the Heights was on hiatus. Clearly, the man keeps busy!He started working on Hamilton â€" then called The Hamilton Mixtape in 2009, performing what would be the first song of the show at The White House. Among his many other projects, it took another year for him to write the show’s second song, My Shot.By Summer of 2013, all of the songs from the proposed show’s first act were completed, as well as three songs for Act II. He performed them at the Vassar Reading Festiva l, accompanied on the piano by music director Alex Lacamoire.We can hardly fault Mr Miranda for taking so long to bring a new musical to the stage; clearly, he had his hands full of work â€" and, thankfully, his head full of music.Time for musical theater trivia: which American musical was never meant to be a musical comedy? Hint: it bears the same name as a city in the US…Opening Night for HamiltonHamilton’s off-Broadway debut, at The Public Theater, was in January 2015.Three members who performed at the Vassar Festival reprised their roles at the premiere. The show was choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, with Thomas Kail directing.Accolades and superlatives poured in! Critics loved it, audiences loved it… it had to move to a bigger stage.It premiered on Broadway, at the Richard Rogers Theatre in August that same year. Most of the actors from the off-Broadway production reprised their roles on the bigger stage, as well as much of the technical staff â€" lighting, sound and scenic design.Again, rave reviews. Again, fantastic yield at the box office â€" it became difficult to get tickets. It was time to take the show on the road.Hamilton opened on Broadway in Chicago in 2016, where hopeful patrons had to buy tickets as quickly as possible lest they miss out. There will be more information about ticket sales in a mo. The Chicago show is projected to run through 2020.Besides those two runs, there is a theatre company touring the US, performing the musical in select cities.Cameron Mackintosh is head of the West End production of Hamilton, with performances near-nightly at the Victoria Palace Theatre. London theatregoers also rate it the best musical.Did you know that Mr Mackintosh was instrumental in bringing Les Miserables to the stage in English-speaking countries? Multiple award-winner Hamilton is currently enjoying a run in London Source: Wikipedia Credit: No Swan So FineHamilton: Awards and RecognitionEarly previews of Hamilton had generated such a buzz that even before its Broadway debut, tickets had sold out. By September 2015, Hamilton was the second-highest-grossing show on Broadway after The Lion King.In fact, the show set and continues to hold the record for the number of tickets sold in a single weekend for a Broadway show.What makes this show a standout is that each character is given its own voice â€" not just in song or rap but by invoking different masters of musical theatre.Jesse Green, of New York magazine, writes: “I caught the verbal references to Rodgers and Hammerstein, Gilbert and Sullivan, Sondheim…”Indeed, Mr Miranda cleverly draws on the legends of musical theatre even as he drags it, kicking and screaming into a new era.It is perhaps a transition that needs to happen; after all, how many times will a theatre patro n want to get tickets to a revival of Mamma Mia or The Phantom of the Opera?And which musicals could do it better than Hamilton?Even before it debuted in a Broadway theatre, the show was collecting awards â€" for outstanding choreographer, for outstanding director, for the best actor, which Mr Miranda himself won.It swept the Lucille Lortel Awards and the Drama Desk Awards in virtually every category from Featured Actress through Best Choreography and onto Best Music and Lyrics.Once Hamilton became a Broadway production, it qualified for the Tony Award. It won a total of 11 Tony Awards for everything from Best Musical to Best Orchestrations.And, as though that weren’t enough, it went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and a Pulitzer Prize in the Drama category. And, just last year, it won a Kennedy Center Honor.How much praise can we heap on one person? Lin-Manuel Miranda had better get used to it.The show has already wowed audiences in Puerto Rico. It is set to open in Germany next year and in Australia the year after that. How much those audiences know about American founding fathers is debatable but, through Hamilton, they will certainly get an education!Who can think of a better way to learn about history than through the work of a playwright such as Mr Miranda?Can’t get enough musical theatre? Discover the stories behind other popular Broadway musicals...