This unit examines the people, processes, and historical context that shape Broadway and musical theatre production. Students explore production team roles (producers, stage managers, sound and hair designers), professional arrival and backstage protocols, and the artistic shifts of the 1960s–70s, building on foundational performance skills and preparing students for culminating production and career-readiness activities in the next unit.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the responsibilities and workflows of key production roles (producer, stage manager, music team, sound designer, hair supervisor) and map how at least five of these roles interact across pre-production, tech rehearsals, and opening night.
- Apply industry-standard arrival, rehearsal, and backstage protocols by correctly completing simulated theatre check-in, dressing room, warm-up, and cueing procedures in a controlled class rehearsal.
- Evaluate the artistic and career impacts of the post–Golden Age (1960s) and 1970s Sondheim era on musical theatre by comparing two representative works or artists from the lessons and citing specific stylistic or professional shifts.
- Demonstrate the ability to produce a basic one-night event plan and pre-show readiness package— including a simple budget outline, promotional checklist, and stage management call sheet—suitable for class critique and refinement.
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 21 Lessons
- 30 hours
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- Unit 3 — Professional Production Practices21
- 1.1“I’m the Greatest Star” — How Broadway Actors Become Stars20 mins
- 1.2“Edelweiss”20 mins
- 1.3Christian Slater20 mins
- 1.4Test Your Broadway Knowledge20 mins
- 1.5Moving into a New Era — The Post Golden Years (the 1960s)20 mins
- 1.6Knowing What to Expect When You Arrive at the Theatre20 mins
- 1.7Recognizing the Very Best20 mins
- 1.8Handling the Money and So Much More — Producers20 mins
- 1.9“The Sweetest Sounds” — Sound Designers20 mins
- 1.10“Long Beautiful Hair” —The Hair Supervisor and Hairdressers20 mins
- 1.11Recognizing What Happens Way before Opening Night20 mins
- 1.12Participating in One-Night-Only Events20 mins
- 1.13“Another Opening, Another Show” — Performing for the Love of Theatre20 mins
- 1.14“As Time Goes By”20 mins
- 1.15Sara Ramirez20 mins
- 1.16Please Hello! The ’70s and the Rise of Sondheim20 mins
- 1.17“The Music of the Night” — The Music Team20 mins
- 1.18Coiffing the Do — Hair Designers20 mins
- 1.19“You Can Always Count on Me” — The Stage Manager20 mins
- 1.20Being Ready — Right before Opening20 mins
- 1.21Waiting on Pins and Needles for Awards Season20 mins
Instructor
Free
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