Revolution on Stage

Introduction

Love history and theater? Step into the spotlight as we bring the American Revolution to life through musicals, skits, and creative performances! From Hamilton to 1776, you'll explore how music, drama, and storytelling turn history into show-stopping art. Along the way, you’ll analyze scenes, learn literary and dramatic techniques, and dive into hands-on projects—including writing your own historical script or song. You'll also get creative with costume and prop design, learning how visual elements bring characters and eras to life on stage. By the end, you’ll be ready to perform a mini-production that makes history unforgettable. This expedition will have reading requirements.

Essential Questions

• The essential questions guiding this expedition are: How can storytelling and performance help us understand the people, conflicts, and ideals that shaped the founding of the United States?
• Whose voices are often left out of traditional stories about 1776—and how can we bring them to life on stage?
• How do writers and playwrights use literary devices to create meaning in historical fiction and drama?
• And in what ways can creative writing and performance help us explore American identity, freedom, and democracy?

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to independently use their learning to research and interpret historical events from the founding of the United States, then creatively express those stories through original dramatic performances that blend accurate context, literary techniques, and multimedia elements. They will be able to analyze and communicate complex ideas about American identity, protest, and democracy in ways that engage, inform, and inspire others.