Stage & Song: A Journey Through Musical Theater History

This course examines the history and evolution of Broadway musical theater, one of America’s great performance art forms. Whether your child is a performer, theater enthusiast, or curious learner, this course is a chance for them to explore the world of musical theater in a way that’s fun and educational. 

Through this class, your child will:

  🎭  Learn how musical theater evolved—from early operettas to contemporary musicals
  🎭  Discover the powerful stories behind famous shows and songs
  🎭  Explore how music and performance reflect history and inspire change
  🎭  Build a deeper appreciation for the art form they love

Whether you're a longtime fan or just beginning your journey into the world of musicals, this course will give you a deeper appreciation for the music, the context, and the creativity behind the curtain.

Perfect for anyone curious about how Broadway became what it is today, this class is both educational and entertaining—designed to leave you inspired, informed, and humming all the way home.

Class 1 – Week of May 26: Types of Musical Theater Characters, Types of Musicals
Class 2 – Week of June 2: Entr’acte and Curtain Up!
Class 3 – Week of June 9: Out of the Nineteenth and into the Twentieth Century
Class 4 – Week of June 16: The Broadway Songbook to the Golden Age
Class 5 – Week of June 23: The Golden Age of the Broadway Musical I
Class 6 – Week of June 30: The Golden Age of the Broadway Musical II
Class 7 – Week of July 7: Recreating Traditions in Musical Theater
Class 8 – Week of July 14: Contemporary Trends I
Class 9 – Week of July 21: Contemporary Trends II
Class 10 – Week of July 28: Where Are We Now?


This course gives students the opportunity to evaluate and compare a variety of musicals from the nineteenth century to present-day Broadway Musicals including Vaudeville, Operetta, Musical Comedy, Opera on Broadway, Jukebox Musicals, and Rock Opera. Major figures discussed will include composers, lyricists, producers, directors, choreographers, performers, and conductors. 

In this course, students will explore the lives and works of the most influential composers in musical theater history. From the timeless elegance of George and Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter, to the sweeping modernity of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, and Stephen Schwartz, this course offers a guided journey through the voices that shaped Broadway.

Each week focuses on a different decade and will feature different musicals and their composers—including Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Frank Loesser, Jule Styne, and Alan Menken—with curated listening excerpts, behind-the-scenes stories, and insight into how their work transformed musical theater.