Producing a Musical with Limited Resources
$30 | 2.5 hours
SKU: TMT-PP
Summary
You're doing a musical, but you see your kids once a week, you don't know anything about theater, you have no parent volunteers, and your budget is $0. Sound familiar?
Never fear! I'm Liz, and I am going to guide you through the process of producing a musical when the odds are most certainly NOT in your favor. I am a theater kid with 10 years of general music teaching experience, and I've got some tricks that I'd love to share!
The PD will be in three parts. The first, "The $0 Musical" will outline funding resources for the basics, and some ways to make a show work in the context of a typical elementary schedule. We'll talk blocking, set, costumes, and ways to make the most of REALLY limited resources.
Part two will be "All About That Tech", where we discuss what you want, need, and might possibly get in the world of sound and lighting. You'll come away with specific product ideas and easy solutions to make your show so much more powerful.
Our final part is designed to get moving! "Choreography for the Non-Dancer" is your musician-friendly how-to for movement in your show. We will discuss choreographing like a musician, effective moves to use over and over, and best practices for teaching.
We can't wait to give everyone the theater bug and give you the tools you need to bring your students to the stage. On with the show!
Here is the class outline:
IntroductionThis module introduces a three-part series on producing elementary musicals, led by Liz Hartley. She presents the "$0 Musical" philosophy, emphasizing resourcefulness over budget. The series covers essential production elements: organization, technical basics, and choreography for non-dancers, demonstrating that effective musical theatre is achievable without extensive training or costs. 2 sections
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Zero Dollar MusicalLiz shares how to produce school musicals without personal expenses. She covers show selection, auditions, rehearsal scheduling, and offers cost-saving tips, such as suggested costumes and simple set designs. Emphasizing documentation, clear communication, and inclusivity, Hartley aims to make musical theater accessible for educators with limited experience while ensuring quality and educational value. 8 sections
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All About That TechLiz presents strategies for school musicals, focusing on the "TikTok Theory" of visibility and sound. She discusses microphones, speakers, and mixers, using simple analogies for clarity. For lighting, she suggests borrowing gear or using affordable work lights. Key points include the value of any technical improvements, utilizing existing equipment, and the necessity of tech rehearsals. 11 sections
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Choreography for the Non-DancerLiz offers choreography strategies for music teachers, highlighting that movement should align with musical principles like form and repetition. Through live demonstrations from "Joust," she shows how to integrate movement into music instruction to improve retention. She covers key choreography vocabulary and suggests using existing show choreographies as a foundation. Hartley differentiates movements for riser students and feature dancers while emphasizing the effectiveness of simple group movements. She encourages educators to enhance their skills through performances, community theater, and adult dance classes. 10 sections
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ConclusionThis module reviews key principles in production, technical theatre, and choreography, emphasizing resourcefulness and student success. A quiz assesses your understanding of concepts like auditions and choreography, and a feedback form lets you share your experience for future improvements. It reinforces your ability to create meaningful musical theatre experiences for your students. 3 sections
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Completion
The following certificates are awarded when the class is completed:
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Music ConstructED 2.5-hour PD Certificate of Completion |