Introduction to Musical Theatre: Movement

Created by Annie Dragoo

Musical theatre performers use their bodies to sing, to dance, and to act. We must think of our bodies as instruments and learn to use our instruments properly in order to be better musical theatre performers.

The overall objective with this unit, by Annie Dragoo, is for students to demonstrate an understanding of the use of good movement as it connects to musical theatre. Some of the activities include using action verbs, moving as animals and inanimate characters, nonverbal communication and situational movement. Students will then perform a scene that will allow them to put to practice all the movement techniques they have learned.

musical theatre

Overview

The overview lays out the objectives, lessons, and assessment guide for the unit.

1: The Body is Your Instrument

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

2: Movement and Action Verbs

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.

3: Physicalizing an Objective

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

4: Movement for Inanimate/Animal Character

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

5: Nonverbal Communication

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

6: Simple Actions

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

7: Situational Movement

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

8: Occupation While Waiting

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

9: Final Movement Performance

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