The Evolution of Musical Theatre

In this unit, after a brief introduction, students will work in groups to research an assigned era of musical theatre from the 19th century to the present day. They will then demonstrate their knowledge with an oral presentation, a technical element, and a teaching element where they teach a scene, song, or dance from a show from the era.

In this lesson, students will be introduced to musical theatre history by looking at what came in the 19th century before the form we know as the modern musical. Also, what show has been anecdotally identified as “the first” modern musical? Students will learn a section of song from this prototype musical from 1866.

In this lesson, student groups will receive a time period of musical theatre, research the time using guiding questions, and decide what material they will use as part of their presentations.

In this lesson, student groups will execute the outline they completed in the last lesson. They will prepare to present, practice oral presentation skills, and practice their teaching element. This lesson also involves a one-on-one prep meeting with the teacher to share where they are in the process.

In this lesson, student groups will demonstrate their knowledge with presentations and reflect on what they have learned.

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.

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 1: “Give My Regards to Broadway.” The main question students will answer after each episode is “How do musicals reflect the changing times?”

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 2: “Syncopated City.” The main question students will answer after each episode is “How do musicals reflect the changing times?”

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 3: “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’.” The main question students will answer after each episode is “How do musicals reflect the changing times?”

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 4: “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.” The main question students will answer after each episode is “How do musicals reflect the changing times?”

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?”

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 6: “Putting it Together.” The main question students will answer after each episode is “How do musicals reflect the changing times?”

In Part 2 of this unit, students will research the influence of a musical theatre topic, show, or individual in the past and present. Students will apply their knowledge by creating, designing, and presenting a musical theatre museum exhibit.

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 Document/Book (see Materials)