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The business of keeping a Broadway show (or any show that’s running for months or years like a national tour) running nonstop for a long period of time requires an extensive support system of people. This lesson offers four different looks into different areas of that extensive support system: Understudies, Swings, and Standbys; Dance Captains; Dressers and the Wardrobe Department; and the Sound Mixer in the Sound Department. Be aware that the roles presented are just a few of the possible theatre roles that can be shared. You may find, or have knowledge of, a different theatrical real-world role you wish to share with students. Use the provided lesson as a template and substitute your own material.

By viewing this documentary, students explore Broadway’s history from the vaudeville shows and operettas of the early 20th century to 21st-century extravaganzas such as Hairspray and Wicked. In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 5: “Tradition.” The main question students will answer after each episode is “How do musicals reflect the changing times?”

Musical theatre is a uniquely American art form. After viewing, discussing, and reflecting on each episode of the PBS Documentary Broadway: The American Musical, students will research a specific topic in order to create and design a musical theatre museum exhibit.

In this lesson, students will watch a variety of Broadway actors in the latest revival of Cabaret answer the question “What’s the best advice you have for someone who wants to perform on Broadway?” Students will analyze the advice given, look for similarities and differences, decide on the best piece of advice for them, and reflect on how this advice could apply to their current work in this class.

Making a first impression is the most important part of an audition. By learning to slate with confidence, students will learn how to introduce themselves in a musical theatre audition. The bookend to the slate is the “thank you” at the end. A well-executed slate/thank you adds a layer of professionalism to the audition. Students will also be introduced to the Mock Audition assignment in this lesson.

In this lesson, students are introduced to learning choreography and focus on specific performance goals. Choreography in musical theatre is often quite tricky. Not only do performers have to coordinate lower and upper body movements, they have to sing, they have to commit and demonstrate endurance, and don’t forget emotion!

Students will be able to identify the various elements of a stage flat and comprehend the skills, process, and math required to construct a stage flat.

Students will identify and apply knowledge of different types of theatre spaces.

Thespis is often stated as being the first actor because he stepped away from the chorus. But who is he? What do we know as fact and what has been assumed as his origin story? What happens when unreliable evidence is recorded as historical fact? Does it matter? In this lesson, students will research, present and draw their own conclusions about the validity of Thespis as a reliable figure in theatre history. They will then write and present a scene that showcases their viewpoint. *This lesson requires internet accessibility (for students to research for the project) either during class time or afterward as assigned homework.

Students will bring in an object that they can turn into a puppet. Using the object puppet, students will create an original character and establish movement patterns and character voice. Character Worksheet and Practice Sheets are included, to perform their original puppet characters.

Writing a play review is an excellent way for students to apply critical thinking skills. A review is a subjective but educated response to a play. The reviewer gives an opinion and supports it with thoughtful analysis. What are the parts of a well written review? What should a student do before, during, and after a performance? The culminating exercise involves students writing a review of a show. Use this lesson as a precursor to students seeing a performance (i.e. a school production, a community play, or a touring show).

In this exercise, students will create a short shadow puppetry scene behind a sheet that is backlit.

In this exercise, students are given the opportunity to explore different methods of creating lighting effects using items and resources found around them.

Students will dive deeper in their knowledge of specific lighting equipment and/or systems as a way to further their ability to use lighting as a tool of storytelling.

To begin establishing an Ensemble by creating opportunities for students to: 1. Collaborate 2. Trust each other Students will work together in small groups or in pairs to solve various challenges. Challenges involve using their non- verbal skills to communicate, working together through movement and support of weight and trust. Students will complete the following activities in this order: 1. Human Knott 2. Body to Body 3. Weight Sharing 4. Circle Trust

Students will understand the use of the tableau as a theatrical device (to make a powerful statement). Students will learn to cooperate as they create both on-the-spot and semi-planned improvisations. In groups, students create a movie poster tableau for an “original movie.” After all the groups have had their turn, each group prepares and performs a scene from their movie.

Students will be able to identify the various elements of a stage flat and comprehend the skills, process, and math required to construct a stage flat.

Students discuss scene changes and transitions. How can a poorly rehearsed transition hinder a technically effective performance? They then apply this discussion to a Scene Assignment. Groups create a scene and must demonstrate a scene change within the scene.

Students will identify areas of technical theatre known as “crafts” and explore how the use of these crafts affects storytelling.

To create ambiance is to define the feel, mood, and tone of a play. Light and sound can change ambiance drastically. A castle in dark shadows will look gloomy and mysterious, while a castle in bright light will appear magical. In this lesson, students will analyze the use of sound to create and change the ambiance of a production.