LOVE THIS!!!! We do this exact thing as part of my Intro and Intermediate Classes' Final Projects. I started it in the early 2000s, then the show "Glee" came out and allowed me to demonstrate the process much more elegantly. We started calling this our "Glee Project." Even though the show has been off the air for almost a decade, kids still get the reference.
Here's the breakdown:
1) We spend about a week or two studying clips, or entire shows and analyze the role different songs play in the narrative: (Opening Numbers, "I Want" songs, Production Numbers, "11 O'Clock" numbers, etc.). We also study different composers and compare their styles.
2) I show clips from "Glee" in which non-musical theatre songs are used as musical theatre scenes. ("Hate On Me" is a particular favorite).
3) Each student must select a song from any genre (pop, country, hip-hop, or show tune) that they think would be their "I Want" song.
4) Each writes a short monologue that contextualizes the song. They rehearse and present this as a test grade.
5) Kids then work independently, or in a group of no more than 5 to use either their "I Want" song from earlier, or another song to use for the final project. They must write a short scene that leads into the song, and then perform it. They can either use a karaoke track or, when possible, have live piano or guitar accompaniment. Added points are given for choreography and creative staging.
6) Students in the Tech Theatre track design the sound (mics, effects, etc.), lighting and simple sets (blocks, wagons, tables, benches, etc.).
7) IF THEY CHOOSE TO DO SO: Some students have even written their own songs. While I encourage this, my main focus with the project is playwriting with a bit of creative adaptation.
I hope this helps. Over the years, my kids say this is one of their favorite things we do. Even my Advanced Drama students love to revisit their "Glee" projects from years past and revise and improve them.
Break A Leg!!!
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Josh Ruben, M. Ed.
Fine Arts Head
Northwest Whitfield HS (dba, The Northwest Theatre Co.)
Tunnel Hill, GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2023 09:27
From: Ryan Moore
Subject: Students creating their own musical theatre scenes
Has any one ever done an assignment where students take existing popular music and treat it as a song in a jukebox musical? I'm toying with a project in which they write an original scene that leads into their chosen song and then perform it is if it's a musical theatre piece. Looking to see if there are existing resources for this kind of work. Always nice to not be starting from scratch.
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Ryan Moore
Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
West Bloomfield MI
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