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Musical Theatre

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nonverbal Communication

by Annie Dragoo

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

Occupation While Waiting

by Annie Dragoo

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

Performing the Musical

by Annie Dragoo

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

Physicalizing an Objective

by Annie Dragoo

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