Musical Theatre History Museum Project
Created by Annie Dragoo
Musical Theatre is a uniquely American art form, explored through this unique unit by instructor Annie Dragoo.
It is divided into two parts: first, students view a documentary called Broadway the American Musical - available on YouTube. Students will reflect after each episode and there is an available viewing quiz.
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. It’s a great three-dimensional demonstration of knowledge, and there is a rubric provided for the completed exhibit.
This is not your traditional textbook history learning!
Overview
The overview outlines the materials in the unit, which are divided into two parts: viewing a documentary and researching/creating a museum exhibit on a musical theatre topic.
1:
Give My Regards to Broadway
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.
2:
The Charleston, Jazz, and the New American Slang
In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 2.
3:
Broadway Gives Hope
In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 3.
4:
The Golden Age
In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 4.
5:
Broadway Reinvents Itself
In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 5.
6:
Broadway and the Global Economy
In this lesson, students will view, discuss, and reflect on Episode 6.
7:
Topic Research and Exhibit Planning
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
8:
Museum Day
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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