So You Are Directing a Musical…Now What?
Recently, I was interviewed by Jessica Peresta of the Elementry Musician podcast. Primarily, we spoke about drama integration. However we did speak about the process of directing a play or musical. Today, I’m going to discuss So You Are Directing a Musical…Now What?
Again, I forget not everyone knows the process.
What are the steps to producing a musical with youth?
That’s a difficult question for me to answer because it depends upon the grade level of the students and length/complexity of the show.
Let’s pretend you are a fifth grade teacher who wants to direct a musical with your students. First, what musical have you chosen? How long is it? Thirty minutes or an hour? How many songs are there? The size of the cast matters, too.
Imagine your wonderful principal paid for your class (haha) to produce an MTI Kids musical. You selected Jungle Book, Kids. Terrific! Now I know what we’ve got to work with. I can’t say enough good about Musical Theater International musicals, especially all of the junior and kids versions.
Jungle Book, Kids (credit Owen Lucas Photography)
So You Are Directing a Musical…Now What?
First, lets discuss the story: Banished by the ferocious tiger, Shere Khan, a human boy named Mowgli and his panther friend, Bagheera, are on the run in the deepest parts of the jungle. On their journey, the two meet a sinister snake named Kaa, a herd of elephants and a giant bear named Baloo, who teaches them the swingin’ musical rhythms of the jungle. After surviving a dangerous encounter with a band of monkeys led by King Louie, Mowgli and Bagheera are forced to run for their lives. When Shere Khan returns, our heroes must rally their fellow animals into battle and restore peace throughout the jungle.
Jungle Book has room for large cast so that’s wonderful for your students. The show contains twelve songs–all very memorable and gleaned from the animated movie. This helps you because the students will learn them quicker since they’ve probably heard them a bit.
The length of the musical matters, too. The show runs an hour with an intermission of fifteen minutes. In other words, you have under sixty pages of material to direct. (Remember there are twelve songs–that cuts into the scenes and lines quite a bit.)
Want to teach your students the beginning of creating a musical? Check out: Creating Your Own Musical
Musical Theater Rehearsal Schedule Example
Let’s pretend it’s November 1. You auditioned your class in October (prior to Halloween of course) and your first rehearsal is November 1, a Monday. I would organize my rehearsals like this:
November 1–Read thru script, discuss the story, re-tell the story, etc.
November 2 to 4–Sing songs
November 5 Choreograph Song either the first musical number or the most difficult first (I discovered that if I got the toughest musical number out of the way near the beginning of the rehearsal schedule, we didn’t worry ourselves about it. Also, the students would have more time to review it than if we waited until its time in the script, such as near the end.)
“Seussical, Jr.” Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies Summer Theater Camp with my direction
Want to study a Broadway musical with your students? Check out Broadway Musical Unit Study Guide for Matilda!
Musical Theater Rehearsal Schedule Example
This is an example. I can’t remember how many scenes or musical numbers Jungle Book, Kids contains. Usually, I use a building block method with young students, grades 3 to 5th.
Nov. 8–Choreograph Song
Nov. 9–Run Song #1 and Song #2
Nov. 10–Choreograph Song #3
Nov. 11–At this point, the students need a change. I would block scene 1 and run it with Song #1
Nov. 12–Run Song #2 and #3 and review scene 1 blocking once more
Nov. 13–Choreograph Song #4 and #5 (because they are beginning to know what to expect and they are picking it more quickly than at the beginning)
Nov. 16–Block scene two and three, choreograph song #5
Nov. 17–Block scene four and five, run songs 3 and 4
Nov. 18–Block scenes six and seven, choreograph song #6
Nov. 19–Polish scenes one and two with songs (OFF BOOK)
Nov. 20–Polish scenes three and four with songs (OFF BOOK)
Nov. 23–Polish scenes five and six with songs (OFF BOOK)
“The Secret Garden” Apex Home Enrichment Program with my direction
Musical Theater Rehearsal Schedule Example
Nov. 24–To be Announced (This gives you some wiggle room incase you get behind, there’s a fire drill that causes an up roar or whatever.)
Nov. 25–Run Songs with Choreography
Nov. 26–Run scenes only
Nov. 27–Run thru
Nov. 30–Run thru
Dec. 1–Run thru with props
Dec. 2–Run thru with props and costumes (Notice how I continue to add to the process?)
Dec.3–Dress rehearsal with props, costumes and set
Dec. 4–Dress rehearsal
Dec. 5–Perform!
In 1981 when I began directing youth theater, I over rehearsed and over blocked. I’m sure it was being too conscientious and also too controlling. Now, I almost under rehearsed them so they’ll have an edge for the show. THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN A SHOW THAT’S WORN OUT BEFORE IT OPENS. (I can always tell.)
“On Golden Pond” at Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies with my direction
So You Are Directing a Musical…Now What?
If you are directing older students, the rehearsal schedule is similar to directing adults if you are directing in a community theater. Check out my post about community theater here: Are You Missing These Kind of People in Your Life?
Usually, my rehearsal calendar follows:
Two weeks of music–chorus numbers first (2 days) , small group (3 days) , solos (3 days) then the second week try practicing the Music in the order in which is appears in the musical (The magic here is to begin with the most difficult or complicated numbers first so they are completed early in the process)
Two weeks of choreography–large group numbers (3 days), small group numbers (3 days), solos (2 days) continuing in this fashion until everything is choreographed.
One week of blocking and/or staging (If you can, ask that everyone be off book at this time. Or at the very least calling for lines.)
Want to be the Cool Teacher? Check out: Six, the Broadway Musical Unit or Les Miserables or Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Musical Theater Rehearsal Schedule Example
Two week of polishing each scene and act. Usually, I rehearse an act at a time (The magic during this process is rehearsing act one–Monday, act two–Tuesday THEN beginning the next time with act two–Wednesday and then act one-Thursday. Friday is your first full run thru)
One week of run thrus (add props and set pieces if possible)
One day of cue to cues, two dress rehearsals and then open!
As the director, you may feel like you aren’t needed very much in this second rehearsal calendar. You are incorrect. Your mere presence helps a cast to feel secure and acknowledged for all of their enthusiasm and hard work. Just being present and cheering on your cast means the world to them.
Want more directing advice? Check out Ten Important Elements to Consider When Directing a Youth Theater Production
Looking for a FREE lesson or two? Check out Drama Integration for Grades 6 to 8
or Creative Dramatics Lessons for Grades 2 to 5
How do you organize your rehearsals? I’d love to know. Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net
Deb