Unit
Creating Your Own Musical
Created by Laramie Dean
24 lessons
musical theatre
Instructor Laramie Dean uses this unit as the final project for his Drama 2 students. Drawing upon any of the skills students have developed throughout, they create a product that could be used within a new piece of musical theatre.
Students start by analyzing three musicals, study guides included, and practice creating musical elements. They are then given class time to prepare in groups as many elements as they can for a new musical using devised theatre techniques.
There are 24 lessons in this unit which culminates in a final assessed performance.
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The overview outlines the guidelines for the unit, including a full list of lessons, time management tips, and learning targets.
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1Lesson 1Introducing Devised TheatreIn this lesson, we define devised theatre and use a piece of music for students to create their own performance inspired by the music.
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2Lesson 2Practicing with Devised TheatreIn this lesson, we try a different devised theatre technique using a photograph to inspire students to create their own performance.
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3Lesson 3Introducing the Musical Theatre FormIn 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.
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4-5Lesson 4-5The Musical Theatre FormIn these two lessons, we begin and continue viewing Singin’ in the Rain. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.
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6Lesson 6Practicing with Devised Theatre; Singin' in the RainIn this lesson, students will finish watching Singin’ in the Rain (if you need additional time) and complete a devising activity based on the film.
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7Lesson 7Practicing with Devised Theatre; Sweeney ToddIn this lesson, students will present their devising pieces and prepare to watch the next musical, Sweeney Todd.
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8Lesson 8Musical Theatre Form; Sweeney ToddIn this lesson, we begin viewing Sweeney Todd. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.
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9-10Lesson 9-10Sweeney Todd, ContinuedIn these two lessons, we continue viewing Sweeney Todd. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.
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11Lesson 11Devising Activity; Sweeney ToddIn this lesson, students will finish watching Sweeney Todd (if you need additional time) and complete a devising activity based on the film.
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12Lesson 12Practicing with Devised Theatre; DreamgirlsIn this lesson, students will present their devising pieces and prepare to watch the next musical, Dreamgirls.
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13Lesson 13Musical Theatre Form; DreamgirlsIn this lesson, we begin viewing Dreamgirls. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.
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14-15Lesson 14-15Dreamgirls, ContinuedIn these two lessons, we continue viewing Dreamgirls. Students will watch carefully in order to complete the required sections in their study guide.
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16Lesson 16Devising Activity; DreamgirlsIn this lesson, students will finish watching Dreamgirls (if you need additional time) and complete a devising activity based on the film.
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17Lesson 17Presenting Devised PiecesIn this lesson, students will present their devising pieces and prepare to create their own musicals.
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18-22Lesson 18-22Creating Musical ComponentsIn this series of lessons, students will use class time to work in groups to create as many musical components as they can given the time available.
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23Lesson 23Independent Musical ProjectThis is the last lesson before students present their pieces for assessment.
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24Lesson 24Original Musical Presentation & Final AssessmentStudents present their original musicals components for assessment.
Standards Addressed
Grade 6 - Creating
- TA6.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Identify artistic choices, utilize theatre vocabulary, and demonstrate non-verbal communication skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>b. Interpret a character’s motivation by understanding the relationship between their background and their behavior.<br/>c. Identify the variety of relationships between characters.<br/>d. Identify, define, and classify character traits.<br/>e. Recognize and demonstrate the roles, responsibilities, and skills associated with collaborative performance.<br/>f. Use resources to identify and create technical elements of theatre.
- TA6.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Identify the elements of a story.<br/>b. Identify the theme and structure of a play.<br/>c. Articulate creative ideas in oral and written forms.<br/>d. Use the dramatic writing process to generate a script.<br/>e. Demonstrate the conventions of dialogue and stage directions.
Grade 6 - Responding
Grade 7 - Creating
- TA7.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Identify and rehearse effective communication skills.<br/>b. Compare and contrast character types and relationships by analyzing character motivations, objectives, and goals.<br/>c. Compare the physical, emotional, vocal, and social dimensions of a character.<br/>d. Investigate the role and responsibility of the cast and crew.<br/>e. Identify and model ensemble skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>f. Utilize staging and blocking choices to enhance the performance.<br/>g. Compare, contrast, and design elements of technical theatre.<br/>h. Utilize theatre vocabulary throughout the rehearsal process.
- TA7.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Create ideas for stories.<br/>b. Analyze the theme and structure of a play.<br/>c. Use the dramatic writing process to generate a script.<br/>d. Utilize dramatic conventions in the scriptwriting process (e.g. stage directions, dialogue, scenes).
Grade 7 - Performing
- TA7.PR.1 Act by communicating and sustaining roles in formal and informal environments.<br/>a. Execute effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills in performance (e.g. rate, pitch, volume, inflection, posture, facial expression, physical movement).<br/>b. Participate in a variety of acting exercises and techniques that can be applied in a rehearsal or theatre performance.<br/>c. Engage in various performance styles.
- TA7.PR.2 Execute artistic and technical elements of theatre.<br/>a. Select a variety of technical elements that can be applied to a theatrical work.<br/>b. Incorporate artistic and technical elements into a theatre performance.
Grade 8 - Creating
- TA8.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Differentiate the physical, emotional, vocal, and social dimensions of a variety of characters.<br/>b. Compare the relationships and interactions between characters by analyzing character motivation (objectives, obstacles, strategy, action, stakes, outcome).<br/>c. Incorporate dramatic elements through improvisation.<br/>d. Connect theatre vocabulary to the application of theatre performance.<br/>e. Identify and demonstrate both ensemble and leadership skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>f. Evaluate the effectiveness of artistic and technical elements used in a theatre production.<br/>g. Design and create scenery, props, costumes, lighting, and sound.<br/>h. Assume different roles and responsibilities in the rehearsal process.
- TA8.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Classify different points of view in a story.<br/>b. Identify, analyze, and articulate the structure of a script.<br/>c. Utilize improvisation techniques to generate script ideas.<br/>d. Use the dramatic writing process to generate a script.
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Connecting
Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Creating
Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Performing
- TAHSAD.PR.1 Act and direct by communicating and sustaining roles within a variety of situations and environments.<br/>a. Examine and implement the skills and tasks associated with acting, incorporating voice, body, observation, and imagination to create characters for formal and informal performances.<br/>b. Implement the duties of the stage manager, including communication and safety procedures, that will assist the director in all areas of production.<br/>c. Develop a schedule and organizational plan to prepare a scene for performance, including a rehearsal schedule and a prompt script.<br/>d. Conduct rehearsals and present a full theatrical presentation to a live audience.
- TAHSAD.PR.2 Execute artistic and technical elements of theatre.<br/>a. Engage as a creative team in script analysis to plan and create technical elements of a theatre production.
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
- TAHSFT.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Recognize and/or employ realistic and conventional speech patterns within dialogue or dramatic verse.<br/>b. Incorporate dramatic elements through improvisation.<br/>c. Recognize and interpret artistic choices in performance.
- TAHSFT.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Differentiate between dramatic and traditional literary writing and utilize common steps of the playwriting process.<br/>b. Assess the need for script analysis, concept development, and directorial and technical concerns of a theatrical script.<br/>c. Construct and critique elements of dramatic structure, character, and dialogue.<br/>d. Create and perform scenes for audiences.
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Connecting
- TAHSFT.CN.1 Explore how theatre connects to life experiences, careers, and other content.<br/>a. Examine how theatre reflects real life.<br/>b. Analyze how theatre employs aspects of other art forms and disciplines to effectively communicate with a live audience.<br/>c. Demonstrate awareness of the discipline, knowledge, skills, and education required for careers in theatre.<br/>d. Explore various careers in the theatre arts (e.g. performance, design, production, administrative, education, promotion).
- TAHSFT.CN.2 Examine the role of theatre in a societal, cultural, and historical context.<br/>a. Identify and analyze plays and dramas from a variety of historical periods and cultures.<br/>b. Explore the works of milestone playwrights and plays, and the relevance of historical theatre.<br/>c. Recognize historical events that have influenced the role of theatre and how theatrical events have impacted cultural development.<br/>d. Interpret cultural and historical research for use in a production.
Grades 9-12 - MUSICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - MUSICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Grades 9-12 - MUSICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Connecting
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Creating
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Connecting
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