West Side Story
Grades 9 - 12

Lesson #1
American Musical Theater

Students engage in a fast-paced study of American Musical Theater by creating and performing an original scene complete with music, singing, dancing, and acting. All key components of a musical are explored as well as a brief history on the evolution of this unique American art form. All performances are video taped for students and teachers to enjoy.


Objective
Students will be able to:

  • Identify types of musicals
  • Identify the various components of a musical
  • Collaborate in the creation of a musical scene

Activity

  1. Brief Power Point presentation on the evolution of the American Musical
  2. Singing, acting, dancing
  3. Create an improvised scene
  4. Video tape and playback of student performances

Prep Period
Before coming to the class, use the links below to familiarize yourself with the musicals covered in the lesson. Each link contains audio samples from the following soundtracks:

Teacher Follow-Up
Follow-up materials with classroom activities and web links given at the conclusion of class.

Student Activities
Using the internet complete the following:

  • Identify the Theaters in Philadelphia where American Musicals are or have been performed.

  • Cite their location, when they were constructed and any historical facts.

National Standards

Music

  • Standard 1: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
  • Standard 6: Listening to, analyzing and describing music
  • Standard 7: Evaluating music and music performances
  • Standard 8: Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
  • Standard 9: Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
Dance
  • NA-D.9-12.2 Understanding choreographic principles, processes, and structures
Theater Arts
  • NA-T.9-12.2 Acting by developing, communicating and sustaining characters in improvisations and formal or informal productions
Arts and Humanities
  • 9.1 Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts
  • 9.2 Historical and Cultural Context
  • 9.3 Critical Response
  • 9.4 Aesthetic Response
History
  • 8.1 Identify and Evaluate conflict and Cooperation among Social Groups
  • 8.2 Synthesize Historical Research
Technology
  • NT.K-12.5 Technology Research Tools