Musical Theatre Preparation and Production
Date
February 10-May 2, 2025
Online
Course Code
7405A
Credits
3
Tuition
$1146
Course Description
This course is designed for music educators who direct their school musical. Musical directors of all levels (elementary, middle school, high school, community theatre) will benefit from course contents. This practical course will incorporate a step-by-step guide in planning one’s show.
This course covers the necessary steps to needed to direct a successful show, including:
- Selecting your musical
- Creating a budget, fundraising
- The audition process
- The rehearsal process: calendar, acting techniques, music rehearsal
- Set design, costuming and stage makeup
- Parent communication and advertising
- Tech elements including sound and lighting
- Opening night
The final project combines course material from throughout the session so directors will have all the tools needed in a condensed format to present to administration to ‘make your case’ to bring quality musical theatre to your school community.
This is an online course that runs from February 10, 2025 -May 2, 2025. This course is mainly asynchronous, with 3 required zoom sessions from 6:30-7:30 p.m. CST.:
- 2/18/2025
- 3/18/2025
- 4/15/2025
These zoom sessions will be recorded. If a participant is unable to attend, after notifying the instructor the participant is expected to review the zoom session independently and submit a brief summary of the content.
* Course Number:
MMEd: 558, 2 credtis
MECA: 7405A, 3 credits
* This course is offered at two course levels. Students enrolled in the MMEd program at VanderCook are eligible to enroll for the 500 course number. Students not enrolled in the MMEd program who wish to earn graduate credit as a MECA Continuing Education student should register for the four digit course number. The difference in credits earned and tuition cost is attributed to the difference in tuition rates for the MMEd and MECA Continuing Education programs. If you are unsure which section is best for you, please contact us directly at [email protected].
Instructor
Sarah Giordano earned a Bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in choral music education from VanderCook College of Music. Ms. Giordano teaches general music, conducts the choirs and directs the musical at Jackson Middle School in Villa Park. In 2018 the Jackson Concert Choir was selected to perform at the IMEC All-State Music Convention.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Giordano has a passion for musical theatre. She directs and serves as music director and vocal director with various youth theatre programs in the Chicago suburbs, and she has worked with Naperville’s only professional theatre company. Recent youth theatre productions directed by Giordano include Zombies the Musical (virtual musical), Getting to Know…Oklahoma, Shrek The Musical JR, Elf JR, The Pirates of Penzance, and Godspell. Mainstage productions include Spamalot, Guys and Dolls, The Bridges of Madison County, Hairspray, Joseph…Dreamcoat, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Ms. Giordano teaches Secondary General Music Methods 6-12 and Musical Theatre Methods at VanderCook College of Music. She is active in the VanderCook MECA program, presenting “Bringing Out the Best in Young Singers,” and most recently “Musical Theatre Workshop: Planning, Production and Performance.” She consistently serves as a choral clinician, adjudicator and accompanist.