Musical Theatre Preparation and Production
Date
June 9-August 1, 2025
Online
Course Code
MECA: 7405B, MMEd: 558 *
Credits
MECA: 3, MMEd: 2 *
Tuition
$1146
Course Description
The Musical Theatre Methods Class familiarizes the student with the development and significance of the American Musical Theatre. The student will study all organizational and production aspects for junior high and high school presentations. Equal importance will be given to the individual development of theatrical skills and character analysis.
Major areas to be covered include:
- Obtaining the script and legalities of doing a musical
- Knowing your students and selecting the right musical
- Planning the production
- The space and how to use it effectively
- Blocking and movement
- Auditions
- Rehearsing technique and how to conduct rehearsals
- Character analysis and sub-text in vocal numbers
- Choreography
- The Pit
- The Set, lighting, sound and safety
- Props and costumes
- Organizing volunteers: publicity and box office
* 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 7000 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.