Hadestown: Exploring Greek Theatre Through Music
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Hadestown: Exploring Greek Theatre Through Music

Grade 6Music1 days
In this project, 6th-grade music students explore Greek Theatre by adapting a scene from the musical Hadestown into a traditional Greek format. Students will research Greek Theatre conventions, adapt dialogue and stage directions, and create musical motifs for a Greek chorus. The project culminates in a performance-ready script adaptation that blends elements of Hadestown with ancient dramatic practices, allowing students to understand how music drives narrative and honors theatrical traditions.
Greek TheatreMusical TheatreHadestownScene AdaptationMusical MotifsChoral ArrangementsDramatic Script
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we compose a musical that retells a Greek myth, using music to drive the narrative and create a performance that honors the traditions of Greek Theatre?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How does music tell a story?
  • What is a musical?
  • What is Greek Theatre?
  • How can we relate the themes in Hadestown to contemporary issues and personal experiences?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to explain the conventions of Greek Theatre.
  • Students will be able to perform a cohesive musical production for an audience, demonstrating effective collaboration and stage presence.
  • Students will Recognize and explain the unique characterizations of the dramatic script such as dramatic action and dialogue.

Michigan Merit Curriculum

ART.T.II.6.1
Secondary
Recognize and explain the unique characterizations of the dramatic script such as dramatic action and dialogue.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

'Build a Better Underworld' Design Contest

**'Build a Better Underworld' Design Contest:** Challenge students to redesign the set or costumes for a specific scene in Hadestown, incorporating elements of both the original musical and traditional Greek theatre design. This could involve sketching, model-building, or digital design, encouraging them to consider the visual and symbolic aspects of storytelling.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Hadestown to Hellenic: Scene Adaptation

Students will adapt a scene from Hadestown into a traditional Greek theatre format, focusing on dialogue and character interactions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a scene from Hadestown with significant dialogue.
2. Identify the key dramatic actions and character motivations within the scene.
3. Rewrite the dialogue in a style reminiscent of Greek plays, incorporating elements like heightened language and choral commentary.
4. Adapt stage directions to fit a traditional Greek theatre setting (e.g., use of a chorus, minimal set).

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA script adaptation of a chosen Hadestown scene in the style of Greek Theatre, ready for performance.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with ART.T.II.6.1 by focusing on dramatic action and dialogue through adaptation and performance.
Activity 2

Greek Theatre Convention Spotlight

Students research and present on a key convention of Greek Theatre (e.g., the chorus, masks, the role of fate) and how it could be incorporated into their Hadestown adaptation.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a specific convention of Greek Theatre to research.
2. Research the history, purpose, and typical execution of the chosen convention.
3. Prepare a presentation explaining the convention and suggesting how it could be used to enhance a Hadestown scene.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short presentation (oral, visual, or written) explaining a chosen Greek Theatre convention and its potential application to Hadestown.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers the learning goal of understanding Greek Theatre conventions by researching and presenting on specific elements.
Activity 3

Musical Motifs and Choral Echoes

Students explore the musical themes in Hadestown and create musical motifs for key characters, adapting them for a Greek chorus.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify the main characters and themes in the adapted Hadestown scene.
2. Analyze the existing musical themes in Hadestown associated with these characters and themes.
3. Create original musical motifs or adapt existing ones for a Greek chorus, using instruments and vocal styles appropriate for Greek theatre.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityMusical motifs and choral arrangements that reflect the characters and themes of the adapted Hadestown scene.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports the learning goal of performing a cohesive musical production by focusing on musical elements and character representation.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Hadestown to Hellenic Adaptation Rubric

Category 1

Script Adaptation Quality

Focuses on the quality of the script adaptation, evaluating how well students integrate elements of both Hadestown and traditional Greek theatre.
Criterion 1

Dialogue and Stage Direction Adaptation

Effectiveness of dialogue adaptation and incorporation of Greek theatrical elements.

Exemplary
4 Points

Dialogue is skillfully adapted to reflect both Hadestown and Greek theatrical styles, enhancing the dramatic impact and character depth significantly. Stage directions are innovatively adapted.

Proficient
3 Points

Dialogue is effectively adapted, capturing the essence of Hadestown while incorporating elements of Greek theatre adequately. Stage directions are appropriately adapted.

Developing
2 Points

Dialogue adaptation shows some understanding of both Hadestown and Greek theatre, but the integration is inconsistent or superficial. Stage directions show basic adaptation.

Beginning
1 Points

Dialogue adaptation is minimal or lacks understanding of either Hadestown or Greek theatre conventions. Stage directions are not effectively adapted.

Category 2

Understanding of Greek Theatre Conventions

Assesses the student's understanding of Greek Theatre conventions and their ability to connect these conventions to their Hadestown adaptation.
Criterion 1

Convention Explanation and Application

Depth of research and clarity in explaining the Greek Theatre convention, along with innovative ideas for its application to Hadestown.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates comprehensive research and provides an exceptionally clear explanation of the Greek Theatre convention, offering highly innovative and insightful suggestions for its application to Hadestown.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates thorough research and provides a clear explanation of the Greek Theatre convention, offering relevant suggestions for its application to Hadestown.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates some research and provides a basic explanation of the Greek Theatre convention, but suggestions for its application to Hadestown are limited or superficial.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates minimal research and struggles to explain the Greek Theatre convention, with little to no relevant suggestions for its application to Hadestown.

Category 3

Musical Motif and Choral Development

Evaluates the student's ability to create musical motifs and choral arrangements that enhance the dramatic elements of the adapted scene.
Criterion 1

Musical Composition and Style

Creativity and effectiveness of musical motifs and choral arrangements in reflecting character and themes. Appropriateness of style for Greek theatre.

Exemplary
4 Points

Musical motifs and choral arrangements are exceptionally creative and effectively reflect the characters and themes with a sophisticated understanding of Greek musical style. Demonstrates advanced skill in musical composition.

Proficient
3 Points

Musical motifs and choral arrangements are creative and effectively reflect the characters and themes, appropriately styled for Greek theatre. Demonstrates competence in musical composition.

Developing
2 Points

Musical motifs and choral arrangements show some creativity but may not fully reflect the characters and themes, or the style may be inconsistent with Greek theatre traditions. Demonstrates basic musical composition skills.

Beginning
1 Points

Musical motifs and choral arrangements lack creativity and do not effectively reflect the characters and themes, showing little understanding of Greek musical style. Demonstrates limited musical composition skills.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How did adapting a scene from Hadestown into the style of Greek Theatre change your understanding of both theatrical traditions?

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Question 2

In what ways did researching and presenting on a specific Greek Theatre convention deepen your appreciation for ancient dramatic practices?

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Question 3

How did creating musical motifs and choral arrangements for your adapted scene enhance the emotional impact and thematic resonance of the story?

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