The Broadway Mash-Up: Creating a New Musical Hit!

Materials Needed

• Paper and a pen or pencil (or a digital document)
• Optional: Access to the internet to listen to clips from favorite musicals for inspiration

Learning Objectives

By the end of this 20-minute activity, you will be able to:

• Identify the core elements of a musical's story: character, setting, conflict, and the "I Want" song.
• Create an original concept for a new musical by combining elements from existing shows.
• Present a creative "pitch" for your new musical idea.

Lesson Plan

Part 1: Introduction - The Producer's Chair (3 minutes)

Hook

Imagine you're a big-shot Broadway producer. You have the power to create the next smash hit! But here's the twist: you have to combine two of your favorite shows. What would happen if the Queens from Six met Evan Hansen? Or if Juliet from & Juliet ran away and ended up in the Land of Oz from Wicked? Today, you get to be the creator!

Objectives Review

Our goal today is to learn the key ingredients that make a musical story work. Then, you'll use those ingredients to invent your very own "musical mash-up" and pitch it like a real Broadway pro!

Part 2: Body - Building a Broadway Hit (15 minutes)

I DO: The Ingredients of a Musical (5 minutes)

Educator explains: "Every great musical, from Wicked to Waitress, has a few key ingredients that make the story powerful. Let's break them down:

1. A Main Character: Someone we root for, like Elphaba or Jenna.
2. A Setting: The 'where' and 'when' of the story, like Oz or a small-town diner.
3. A Conflict: The big problem the character has to solve. Elphaba is misunderstood and hunted; Jenna is in a bad marriage and wants a new life.
4. An "I Want" Song: The moment early in the show where the main character sings about their biggest dream or desire. Think of "The Wizard and I" from Wicked or "What Baking Can Do" from Waitress. It tells the audience exactly what the character is fighting for."

Educator models a mash-up idea: "So, if I were to create a mash-up, I might combine Dear Evan Hansen and Wicked. My character would be Elphaba, but she's a new student at Evan Hansen's high school (the Setting). Her Conflict is that everyone misunderstands her and spreads rumors about her online because of her green skin. Her 'I Want' Song could be called 'A Different Shade of Me,' where she sings about just wanting one true friend who sees her for who she is, not what she looks like."

WE DO: Brainstorming Together (3 minutes)

Educator guides: "Now, let's quickly brainstorm one together. Let's use Six and & Juliet. What if our main character is Anne Boleyn, but after her story in Six, she gets a second chance to live her life, just like Juliet did?"

• Discussion Question 1: "What would her big Conflict be? Maybe it's trying to become famous on her own terms without a king?"
• Discussion Question 2: "What could we call her big 'I Want' Song? Maybe something like 'Rewrite My History'?"

YOU DO: Your Turn to Create! (7 minutes)

Educator instructs: "Okay, now it's your turn to be the Broadway creator! Your mission is to invent your own musical mash-up. Grab your paper and pen."

"Choose at least two of your favorite shows (Six, & Juliet, Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress, Wicked) and come up with the following five things for your new musical:

1. Your Show's Title: (Example: Waitress on the Western Front or & Evan)
2. The Main Character(s): (Who is your story about?)
3. The Setting: (Where does it take place?)
4. The Conflict: (What's the big problem they need to solve?)
5. The "I Want" Song Title: (What's the name of the big song where they sing their dreams?)

You have about 7 minutes to create your concept. Get creative and have fun with it! Then, you'll give me your 'producer pitch'!"

Part 3: Conclusion - The Broadway Pitch (2 minutes)

Learner Recap and Presentation

Educator invites: "Time's up! The producers are ready to hear your idea. Tell me about your new hit musical. What's the title? Who's it about? What happens?"

(Ella presents her musical mash-up idea.)

Reinforce and Close

Educator praises and summarizes: "That was a fantastic pitch! You just did what real Broadway creators do—you took ideas you love, thought about characters and their dreams, and created something totally new and exciting."

"Quick recap: What were the four key ingredients we said every great musical needs?" (Listen for Character, Setting, Conflict, and "I Want" Song).

"Amazing job today. You've proven you have the creativity of a real Broadway writer!"

Assessment & Success Criteria

• Formative Assessment: Participation in the "We Do" brainstorming session and the final recap question.
• Summative Assessment: The final "Broadway Pitch."
• Success Looks Like: A completed pitch that creatively includes a title, main character, setting, a clear conflict, and an "I Want" song title, combining elements from at least two known musicals.

Differentiation

• For Support: If you're feeling stuck, try one of these starting points: What if Juliet (from & Juliet) started working at Jenna's Pie Diner (from Waitress)? Or, what if the Queens from Six all went to Shiz University with Elphaba and Glinda (from Wicked)?
• For Extension: Challenge time! Once you have your five points, try to write the first four lines of lyrics for your "I Want" song. Or, quickly sketch a design for the show's poster!