Submitted by Dan Leopold, Riverdale, New York
Idea posted October 14, 2002
Goal: Students will be able to apply their knowledge of musical theater format to a new script.Objectives:
1. Students will be able to identify and explain the different aspects that are involved in a musical theater production to bring closure to the section on "Barnum."
2. Students will be introduced to a script and do a read through.
Materials: Musical Theater Worksheet, Script - The Firebird, The Horse Of Power, and Czarevna Vasilisa
Procedure:
1. Teacher will review the definition of musical theater and distribute musical theater worksheet.
2. Students will be asked to identify what they remember most about the musical "Barnum" and comments will be written on the board.
3. Teacher will read the list of Musical Theater Elements (worksheet) with the students reading along.
4. Students will be asked to match elements of musical theater (written on the worksheet) with their comments.
5. Teacher will introduce and distribute the new script and explain that it originates from a Russian folk tale.
6. Each student will be assigned a number and will need to read the lines in the script which correspond with that number. Teacher reminds students that their behavior in this reading will help determine who is appropriate when parts are to be assigned in the next reading.
7. Students will be introduced to a simple Russian folk song which accompanies the play and will decide if it fits into the script.
Evaluation:
1. Were the students able to identify different aspects of the musical theater format?
2. Were the students able to read and explain the play?
Homework:
1. Students should practice reading the script.
2. Mark at least one place in the script where they think a character or a group of characters should sing a song.