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Musical Theatre

58 Lesson Plans to help you effectively plan your workshops and classes

A Podcast Musical Analysis

by Annie Dragoo

Students will listen to and analyze a podcast musical called 36 Questions by Christopher Littler and Ellen Winter, starring Jonathan Groff and Jessie Shelton. This lesson is intended for senior grades only (11 & 12). Please see content warning in the lesson plan (p.1).

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Acting the Song - Musical Tactics

by Anna Porter

Students will understand how they can identify and create their own musical tactics and interpretation of a song by breaking down its music and lyrics. Students will build upon/review their understanding of basic music terminology and apply it to performance.

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Acting vs. Performing a Song

by Annie Dragoo

In musicals, it is important to remember that acting does not stop when the music begins. In this lesson, students will learn to find meaning behind the lyrics of a song so that they can convey the character’s feelings while performing.

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Blocking the Musical

by Annie Dragoo

Students will block/stage their original musicals by planning and rehearsing the movement for the dialogue.

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Broadway and the Global Economy

by Annie Dragoo

In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 6.

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Broadway Gives Hope

by Annie Dragoo

In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 3.

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Broadway Reinvents Itself

by Annie Dragoo

In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 5.

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Character Analysis - Musical Theatre Version

by Annie Dragoo

Use this lesson plan as a response activity connected to viewing a video of a musical in class. For example: At the end of semester or if you need a lesson plan during tech week - watch the musical and then do the exercise. After viewing a musical, students will exhibit their ability to analyze a specific character from a musical by creating a visual character profile.

# Character Development # Musical Theatre # musical theatre # analysis

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Choreographing the Musical

by Annie Dragoo

Students will choreograph their original musicals by planning and rehearsing the movement for each song.

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Creating Musical Components

by Laramie Dean

In this series of lessons, students will use class time to work in groups to create as many musical components as they can given the time available.

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Devising Activity; Dreamgirls

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, students will finish watching Dreamgirls (if you need additional time) and complete a devising activity based on the film.

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Devising Activity; Sweeney Todd

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, students will finish watching Sweeney Todd (if you need additional time) and complete a devising activity based on the film.

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Dreamgirls, Continued

by Laramie Dean

In these two lessons, we continue viewing Dreamgirls. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.

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Emergency Lesson Plan: Fallen Phrase Puzzle - Musicals

by Lindsay Price

In this ELP, students complete a Fallen Phrase Puzzle using quotes from musicals.

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Emergency Lesson Plan: Musical Theatre Licensing Masterclass

by Lindsay Price

In this ELP, students participate in an online masterclass on directing and complete a viewing quiz.

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End of the Year Lesson: Filmed Musical - Shrek the Musical

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will watch a filmed version of a musical, respond to viewing questions, and apply themes and contexts from the musical in a post-viewing activity. The questions and exercises for this lesson are taken from the Shrek the Musical Classroom Study Guide, which is included. Alternative pre-viewing questions and post-viewing exercises are available if you wish to modify the lesson. This lesson is ideal for the end of the school year, after a major assessment, or following a semester-end production.

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End of the Year Lesson: Movie Musical - Hairspray

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will watch a movie musical, answer viewing questions, and then apply themes and contexts from the musical in a post-viewing activity. The questions and exercises for this lesson are taken from the Hairspray Classroom Study Guide, which is included with this lesson. Alternative pre-viewing questions and post-viewing exercises are also provided if you wish to modify the lesson. This lesson is ideal for the end of the school year, after a major assessment, or following a semester end production.

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End of the Year Lesson: Movie Musical - In the Heights

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will watch a movie musical, respond to viewing questions, and apply themesand contexts from the musical in a post-viewing activity. The questions and exercises for this lesson are taken from the In The Heights Classroom Study Guide, which is included. Alternative pre-viewing questions and post-viewing exercises are available if you wish to modify the lesson. This lesson is ideal for the end of the school year, after a major assessment, or following a semester end production.

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End of the Year Lesson: Movie Musical - Matilda

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will watch a movie musical, respond to viewing questions, and apply themes and contexts from the musical in a post-viewing activity. The questions and exercises for this lesson are taken from the Matilda Classroom Study Guide, which is included. Alternative pre-viewing questions and post-viewing exercises are available if you wish to modify the lesson. This lesson is ideal for the end of the school year, after a major assessment, or following a semester end production.

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End of the Year Lesson: Movie Musical - Singin' in the Rain

by Drama Teacher Academy

In this lesson, students will watch a movie musical, respond to viewing questions, and apply themes and contexts from the musical in a post-viewing activity. The questions and exercises for this lesson are taken from the Singin’ in the Rain Classroom Study Guide, which is included. Alternative pre-viewing questions and post-viewing exercises are available if you wish to modify the lesson. This lesson is ideal for the end of the school year, after a major assessment, or following a semester-end production.

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Evaluating the Performance

by Annie Dragoo

Students will evaluate their performances in their original musicals.

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Final Movement Performance

by Annie Dragoo

Students will rehearse and perform a scene plus song incorporating specific movement. After the performance, students will complete a self-assessment checklist.

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Give My Regards to Broadway

by Annie Dragoo

By viewing this documentary, students explore Broadway’s history from the vaudeville shows and operettas of the 20th century to 21st-century extravaganzas such as Hairspray and Wicked. In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 1.

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Group Musical Poster

by Matthew Banaszynski

Students will read the description of a musical then break into groups to create a poster for the show. Each group will present their poster to the class and explain their representation. Note: This lesson works well if students have had a basic introduction to musical theatre.

# Group Activities # Comprehension # Musical Theatre # poster # musical theatre

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Improv a Musical

by Ed Reggi

In this lesson, students will explore how to make their own Broadway musical through improvisation. Broadway musicals like The Book of Mormon, Urinetown, and Forbidden Broadway were developed from improvised work. Students will learn how to improvise an original musical in front of an audience. There are excellent opportunities for both the singer and non-singer who wants to explore improv like never before. This is also a great opportunity for singers to become far more confident with their performances. There are hands-on activities for students at all levels.

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Independent Musical Project

by Laramie Dean

This is the last lesson before students present their pieces for assessment.

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Intro to Improv for Musical Theatre

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate an understanding of improv guidelines by using them in an exercise. This is an introductory improv lesson that is designed to build upon the actors’ tools in future lessons.

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Introducing Devised Theatre

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, we define devised theatre and use a piece of music for students to create their own performance inspired by the music.

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Introducing the Musical Theatre Form

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, we define musical theatre and spend a little bit of time on the history and structure. Students also receive information on their performance and their independent written projects.

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Introduction to Musical Theatre Conventions

by Annie Dragoo

Students will explore the different theatre conventions through various activities and then apply this knowledge to musical theatre by viewing musical theatre numbers.

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Movement and Action Verbs

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate their understanding of actable verbs by using them in a scene. They will be introduced to the concepts of motivation, objective, and tactics.

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Movement for Inanimate/Animal Character

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate their ability to move like an inanimate object by performing a scene.

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Museum Day

by Annie Dragoo

Students will showcase what they have learned about their musical theatre topic in a museum exhibit. Students will also learn about additional musical theatre topics by viewing other exhibits and answering questions found in the Museum Exhibit Questionnaire Book.

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Musical Theatre Form; Dreamgirls

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, we begin viewing Dreamgirls. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.

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Musical Theatre Form; Sweeney Todd

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, we begin viewing Sweeney Todd. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.

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Nonverbal Communication

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate their ability to use physical variety by utilizing three levels of physicalizing emotions to music.

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Occupation While Waiting

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate their ability to find occupation while waiting by performing a scene.

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Original Musical Presentation & Final Assessment

by Laramie Dean

Students present their original musicals components for assessment.

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Performing the Musical

by Annie Dragoo

Students will apply everything they have worked on throughout this unit: writing, choreography, blocking, and rehearsing.

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Physicalizing an Objective

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate their ability to physically achieve an objective by using their bodies in a musical scene.

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Practicing with Devised Theatre

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, we try a different devised theatre technique using a photograph to inspire students to create their own performance.

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Practicing with Devised Theatre; Dreamgirls

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, students will present their devising pieces and prepare to watch the next musical, Dreamgirls.

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Practicing with Devised Theatre; Singin' in the Rain

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, students will finish watching Singin’ in the Rain (if you need additional time) and complete a devising activity based on the film.

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Practicing with Devised Theatre; Sweeney Todd

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, students will present their devising pieces and prepare to watch the next musical, Sweeney Todd.

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Presenting Devised Pieces

by Laramie Dean

In this lesson, students will present their devising pieces and prepare to create their own musicals.

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Reading Basic Musical Dynamic Markings

by Annie Dragoo

Students will be able to identify musical dynamic markings that will allow them to vocally interpret the music effectively. Understanding musical dynamic markings will help you navigate a song, and you can do this even if you do not read music.

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Rehearsing the Musical

by Annie Dragoo

Students will rehearse their original musicals, putting finishing touches and memorizing lines, blocking, and movement.

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Simple Actions

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate their understanding of simple action by performing or coaching the performer to deliver a love poem while using three simple actions.

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Situational Movement

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate their understanding of situational movement by performing a scene.

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Sweeney Todd, Continued

by Laramie Dean

In these two lessons, we continue viewing Sweeney Todd. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.

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The Body is Your Instrument

by Annie Dragoo

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the body’s importance to an actor.

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The Charleston, Jazz, and the New American Slang

by Annie Dragoo

In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 2.

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The Golden Age

by Annie Dragoo

In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 4.

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The Musical Theatre Audition Portfolio Project

by Annie Dragoo

Part of the audition process is preparation. And that is not just memorizing a single monologue or one song. It’s preparing a wide variety of material for a variety of situations. By preparing an audition portfolio, students will be ready for any type of audition that may arise. The portfolio will also help students explore different genres of musical theatre.

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The Musical Theatre Audition Slate

by Annie Dragoo

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 an musical theatre audition.

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The Musical Theatre Form

by Laramie Dean

In these two lessons, we begin and continue viewing Singin’ in the Rain. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.

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Topic Research and Exhibit Planning

by Annie Dragoo

In Part Two of this unit, students will research the influence of a musical theatre topic in the past and present. Students will apply their knowledge by creating, designing, and presenting a musical theatre museum exhibit.

Attachments

Exhibit Questionnaire Sample

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Writing the Musical

by Annie Dragoo

Students will write a musical by adding modern songs to a traditional fairy tale story.

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