Broadway Bound: Elementary Musical Production Adventure

12th Grade

Project
8 weeks

Broadway Bound: Elementary Musical Production Adventure

Emily Garven

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse high school theater arts students in the comprehensive process of producing a musical, fostering a deeper understanding of theatrical roles and professional practices. By collaborating with a local elementary school, students will gain hands-on experience in directing, producing, costume designing, choreographing, stage managing, and technical directing. This project aims to enhance students' communication and teamwork skills, while also providing them with technical theater expertise through community partnerships. Ultimately, the project seeks to inspire and educate elementary school students through a musical performance, culminating in a public exhibition that celebrates the collaborative efforts and personal growth of all participants.

Learning goals

In this project, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the various roles and responsibilities involved in a theatrical production, including directing, producing, costume design, choreography, stage management, and technical direction. They will develop effective communication and teamwork skills essential for coordinating a large-scale production, emphasizing active listening, conflict resolution, and leadership. Students will also learn technical theater skills such as lighting, sound, and set design through hands-on experience and community partnerships. By the end of the project, students will have enhanced their practical theater skills, deepened their understanding of professional theater practices, and learned how to inspire and educate elementary school students through a musical performance.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
National Core Arts Standards - TH:Cr3.1.HSIII: Refine and complete artistic work by evaluating and refining a devised or scripted theater work through rehearsal and performance, considering artistic choices and impact on audience.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Products

In this project, students will accomplish the creation and execution of a full musical production performed by elementary school students, with high school students taking on all production roles. They will develop a comprehensive portfolio showcasing their contributions, such as design sketches, director's notes, choreography videos, and technical schematics. Additionally, students will produce a reflective essay detailing their growth and understanding of theater production roles. The project will culminate in a 'Community Appreciation Night' where students present their portfolios and reflections to an audience, fostering dialogue and celebrating their collaborative efforts. The public performance of the musical will serve as the project's centerpiece, demonstrating the students' ability to apply professional theater practices in a real-world setting.

Launch

To kick off the project, organize a "Musical Inspiration Workshop" featuring a guest speaker from a local theater company or university. This speaker can share their experiences and insights into the production process of a musical, offering students a glimpse into the professional world of theater. Following the talk, conduct a brainstorming session where students collaborate to generate ideas for their own musical. Encourage them to consider themes, stories, and styles that would resonate with the elementary school audience. This activity will not only inspire creativity but also set the tone for the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the project.

Exhibition

To effectively exhibit the culmination of this project, plan a 'Community Appreciation Night' where students can present their portfolios and reflections to an audience of peers, mentors, community partners, and family members. This event should include a Q&A session and a reception to foster dialogue and celebrate the collaborative efforts in producing the musical. Additionally, host a public performance of the show, where the elementary school students perform under the direction and creative guidance of the high school students. This dual exhibition allows for both an intimate setting to discuss the learning journey and a larger public showcase of the students' theatrical accomplishments.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Introduction to the Project - Overview of the project goals, timeline, and expectations. Discuss the importance of each theatrical role and the collaboration with the elementary school.	Day 2: Musical Inspiration Workshop - Host a guest speaker from a local theater company or university to discuss their experiences in producing a musical. Facilitate a Q&A session with the speaker.	Day 3: Brainstorming Session - Students break into small groups to brainstorm ideas for the musical. They should consider themes, stories, and styles suitable for the elementary school audience.	Day 4: Idea Presentation - Each group presents their musical ideas to the class. Encourage constructive feedback and discussion on the feasibility and creativity of the concepts.	Day 5: Selection and Planning - Conduct a class vote to select the musical idea. Begin initial planning by assigning preliminary roles and responsibilities to students.
Deliverables	1. List of potential musical themes and ideas generated by student groups. 2. Selection of the final musical idea for the project. 3. Preliminary role assignments for students.
Preparation	1. Arrange for a guest speaker from a local theater company or university for the Musical Inspiration Workshop. 2. Prepare a presentation on the overall project goals, timeline, and expectations. 3. Organize materials and resources for brainstorming sessions, such as flip charts, markers, and idea templates. 4. Develop a rubric or criteria for evaluating musical ideas during presentations.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Role Deep Dive - Students engage in a workshop that provides an in-depth understanding of their assigned roles (e.g., director, producer, costume designer). The workshop should include role-specific tasks and challenges.	Day 2: Research and Resource Gathering - Students conduct research related to their roles, gathering resources and information needed for their tasks. Collaborate with peers to share findings and resources.	Day 3: Skill Development Sessions - Conduct role-specific skill development sessions, where students learn practical skills needed for their roles (e.g., lighting design, choreography basics).	Day 4: Creative Vision Development - Students begin developing their creative vision for their roles, creating initial sketches, mood boards, or concept outlines. Collaborate with peers for feedback.	Day 5: Presentation and Feedback - Students present their creative vision and research findings to the class, receiving feedback from peers and instructors. Discuss how each role's vision integrates into the overall production.
Deliverables	1. Research portfolio including resources and findings related to each student's assigned role. 2. Initial creative vision documentation, such as sketches, mood boards, or concept outlines. 3. Feedback notes from peer and instructor evaluations of creative visions.
Preparation	1. Organize and prepare materials for role-specific workshops and skill development sessions. 2. Develop guidelines and templates for students to document their creative vision and research findings. 3. Prepare evaluation criteria for reviewing and providing feedback on student presentations.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Script Development - Students work in groups to draft scenes and dialogues for the musical. Emphasize incorporating themes and ideas chosen in previous weeks.	Day 2: Script Workshop - Conduct a workshop where groups present their draft scenes. Facilitate peer reviews and provide feedback on dialogue, character development, and story flow.	Day 3: Script Refinement - Based on feedback, students refine their scripts. Encourage collaboration across groups to ensure coherence and consistency in the storyline.	Day 4: Music and Lyrics Exploration - Introduce students to the process of composing music and writing lyrics. Encourage them to think about how music can enhance storytelling and emotion.	Day 5: Music and Lyrics Development - Students begin drafting original songs or selecting existing music for the musical. Collaborate in groups to ensure thematic alignment with the script.
Deliverables	1. Draft script sections for the musical, including scenes and dialogues. 2. Refined script sections incorporating feedback from the script workshop. 3. Initial drafts of original songs or selected existing music that aligns with the script.
Preparation	1. Prepare guidelines for script development, including structure, character development, and dialogue tips. 2. Organize a script workshop format, including peer review criteria and feedback mechanisms. 3. Arrange resources or guest speakers for the music and lyrics exploration session, if possible. 4. Develop criteria for evaluating the alignment of music and script during the music and lyrics development session.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Set Design Introduction - Students learn the basics of set design, including materials, space utilization, and visual storytelling. Discuss how set design contributes to the overall atmosphere and themes of the musical.	Day 2: Set Design Workshop - Conduct a hands-on workshop where students begin sketching and prototyping their set designs. Encourage collaboration among students to ensure cohesiveness with the script and music.	Day 3: Costume Design Exploration - Introduce students to costume design principles, focusing on character portrayal, historical accuracy, and creativity. Provide examples and inspire students to think about character representation.	Day 4: Costume Design Creation - Students create initial costume sketches and concepts for the characters in the musical. Collaborate with the set design team to ensure aesthetic consistency.	Day 5: Presentation and Feedback - Students present their set and costume designs to the class. Facilitate a feedback session where peers and instructors provide constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement.
Deliverables	1. Sketches and prototypes of set designs that align with the script and music themes. 2. Initial costume design sketches and concepts for the musical's characters. 3. Feedback notes from peer and instructor evaluations on set and costume designs.
Preparation	1. Prepare a presentation on the basics of set and costume design, including visual examples and case studies. 2. Organize materials for the set design workshop, such as sketch paper, art supplies, and prototyping materials. 3. Develop guidelines and templates for students to document their set and costume design ideas. 4. Prepare evaluation criteria for reviewing and providing feedback on student presentations.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Choreography Basics - Introduce students to the fundamentals of choreography, focusing on movement, timing, and expression. Discuss how choreography enhances storytelling in musicals.	Day 2: Choreography Workshop - Conduct a hands-on session where students experiment with creating dance sequences for key scenes in the musical. Encourage collaboration to ensure the choreography aligns with the music and script.	Day 3: Technical Theater Introduction - Introduce students to technical theater aspects such as lighting, sound, and stage management. Discuss how these elements contribute to the production's overall impact.	Day 4: Technical Theater Workshop - Students participate in a workshop to learn practical skills in operating lighting and sound equipment. Assign small groups to practice setting up and managing a basic technical setup for a scene.	Day 5: Integration and Rehearsal - Students integrate choreography and technical elements into a rehearsal of selected scenes. Collaborate to ensure smooth execution and address any challenges that arise.
Deliverables	1. Choreography sequences for key musical scenes. 2. Basic technical setup plans for lighting and sound. 3. Rehearsal notes documenting challenges and solutions for choreography and technical integration.
Preparation	1. Prepare a presentation on choreography basics, including visual examples and case studies. 2. Organize resources and materials for the choreography workshop, such as music tracks and space for movement. 3. Arrange for technical theater equipment and resources, such as lighting rigs and sound systems, for the technical workshop. 4. Develop guidelines and safety protocols for operating technical theater equipment. 5. Plan a rehearsal schedule and format to facilitate the integration of choreography and technical elements.

Week 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Blocking Rehearsal - Begin with blocking rehearsals where students practice the movement and positioning of actors on stage. Focus on coordinating actors' movements with the script and choreography.	Day 2: Scene Work and Character Development - Students work on refining their scenes with a focus on character development. Encourage students to explore their characters' motivations and relationships, and make adjustments to enhance the storytelling.	Day 3: Full Cast Rehearsal - Conduct a full cast rehearsal to integrate all elements of the production, including music, choreography, and technical aspects. Emphasize timing and transitions between scenes.	Day 4: Technical Run-Through - Perform a technical run-through, focusing on the seamless operation of lighting, sound, and set changes. Address any technical issues and ensure the technical team is confident in their roles.	Day 5: Feedback and Refinement - Gather feedback from peers and instructors on the overall performance. Facilitate discussions on what worked well and what areas need improvement. Allocate time for students to make necessary adjustments.
Deliverables	1. Refined scenes with improved character development and blocking. 2. Completed technical run-through checklist, noting any issues and resolutions. 3. Feedback notes from peers and instructors on the overall performance.
Preparation	1. Organize a rehearsal schedule that allows adequate time for blocking, scene work, and full cast integration. 2. Prepare feedback forms and guidelines to facilitate constructive feedback during the feedback and refinement session. 3. Ensure all technical equipment is set up and functioning properly for the technical run-through. 4. Coordinate with students to ensure all elements (props, costumes, set pieces) are available and ready for rehearsals.

Week 7	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Dress Rehearsal Preparation - Students gather all costumes, props, and set pieces for a full dress rehearsal. Review the checklist to ensure all elements are in place and make any necessary last-minute adjustments.	Day 2: Full Dress Rehearsal - Conduct a full dress rehearsal with all cast members in costume and using all technical elements. Focus on timing, transitions, and ensuring all elements work together seamlessly.	Day 3: Final Adjustments - After the dress rehearsal, hold a session to address any issues identified. Students should make final adjustments to costumes, props, choreography, or technical elements as needed.	Day 4: Final Run-Through - Conduct a final run-through of the entire production with an emphasis on performance quality and confidence. Use this opportunity to polish any remaining rough edges.	Day 5: Reflection and Team Building - Host a reflection session where students discuss their experiences and growth throughout the project. Conduct team-building activities to celebrate the journey and strengthen collaboration.
Deliverables	1. Completed dress rehearsal with all elements integrated. 2. List of final adjustments made after the dress rehearsal. 3. Reflection notes from students on their personal growth and collaboration experiences.
Preparation	1. Ensure all costumes, props, and set pieces are ready and organized for the dress rehearsal. 2. Prepare a checklist of elements to review during the dress rehearsal. 3. Organize feedback forms for the reflection session to guide students in their discussions. 4. Plan team-building activities that promote reflection and celebrate the students' efforts and achievements.

Week 8	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Final Performance Preparation - Conduct a technical and dress rehearsal to ensure all elements are polished and ready for the public performance. Address any last-minute technical or performance issues.	Day 2: Public Performance - Host the public performance of the musical. Ensure that all students are prepared and understand their roles, both on stage and behind the scenes.	Day 3: Community Appreciation Night - Organize the 'Community Appreciation Night' where students present their portfolios and reflections. Facilitate discussions with the audience, including Q&A sessions.	Day 4: Debrief and Reflection - Conduct a debrief session to discuss the performance and Community Appreciation Night. Encourage students to reflect on their experiences and document their learning journey.	Day 5: Portfolio Submission and Celebration - Students finalize and submit their portfolios, including design sketches, director's notes, choreography videos, and technical schematics. Host a celebration to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of all students involved.
Deliverables	1. Successful public performance of the musical. 2. Presentation of portfolios and reflections during the Community Appreciation Night. 3. Completed and submitted portfolios showcasing individual contributions and learning.
Preparation	1. Ensure all technical and costume elements are ready and tested for the final performance. 2. Coordinate logistics for the public performance, including venue setup and audience management. 3. Prepare materials and guidelines for students to present their portfolios and reflections during the Community Appreciation Night. 4. Organize feedback forms and discussion prompts for the debrief and reflection session. 5. Plan and organize a celebration event to acknowledge students' contributions and achievements.