MUSICAL THEATRE

Syllabus

Level:

9-12

Course Length:

1 Semester

Prerequisites:

N/A

Credits:

Graduation Requirement:

Fine Arts Credit

Course Fee (if any):

$20 - for music

Educational Resource (if any):

Musical Theatre Repertoire (vocal/piano music)
The Singers Musical Theatre Anthology
Performance Venues & Resources
Technology Resources (recording, notation software)
Course Description:

This course will focus equally on the history of the

American art and performance practices of musical
theater. Students will learn the history from operetta,
vaudeville, the golden age, through contemporary
musical theater. Performance instruction, both individual
and group ensemble, will include musical theater singing
(legit style and belting), as well as acting and staging,
culminating in a musical review of scenes and songs.
Field trips to various theater productions may also be
part of the course offering.

Course Objective(s):

Students will explore ideas in theatre throughout time

and across culture.
Students will explore, understand, and apply the
historical aspects of musical theatre.;
Students will sing a variety of songs from multiple
musical theatre genres.;
Students will explore quality acting skills for musical
theatre.

Course Outline:
Time Frame

Unit of Study

4 Week Reporting Period

Unit 1: Introduction to Musical Theatre (1 week)

Unit Understanding:
--Why study musical theatre?
--American Culture Influence
--International History
--Basic Musical Theatre Terminology
*Each unit will have a historical component, and then a
performance component from that time in musical theatre
history.
Unit 2: Genres of Musical Theatre (3 weeks)
Unit Understanding:
--Overview of Musical Theatre Genres
--Types of Musicals
--Early Musical Theatre to 1940s
*Each unit will have a historical component, and then a
performance component from that time in musical theatre
history.

8 Week Reporting Period

Unit 3: Genres of Musical Theatre (4 weeks)

Unit Understanding:
--The Golden Age (1940-1960)
--1970s
--1980s
--1990s
*Each unit will have a historical component, and then a
performance component from that time in musical theatre
history.

12 Week Reporting Period

Unit 4: Genres of Musical Theatre (4 weeks)

Unit Understanding:
--2000s
--Movement with Music
--Choreography/Dance Integration
--Styles of Modern Day Musicals
*Each unit will have a historical component, and then a
performance component from that time in musical theatre
history.

16 Week Reporting Period

Unit 5: Earths Atmosphere and Hydrosphere (4

weeks)
Unit Understanding:
--Musical Theatre Revue (this combines all skills and
historical knowledge into a final musical performance
revue)
Final Performance Project