My students (non-musical theater) do a project in the beginning drama class called "The 5 Minute Musical." These are exactly what the title implies, a musical that must be 5 minutes in length. I let them choose their groups because then they have more to go on when choosing songs. They can be about any school appropriate topic. This semester we have an American Idol spoof, the 2011 Worst Academy Awards, How to Train Your Dragon, Janitor Power, and a Happy Feet Spoof. Most of the groups are working really well together.
The assignment is basically this:
Every student must sing.
Every student must dance.
Every student must speak at least five times alone.
The show is done without music. I recommend that they use songs everyone already knows, and then change the lyrics to fit their situation.
As a class we decide how long they need for brainstorming, writing, staging, choreographing, and last rehearsing. We are inviting other classes to come in and see their work. It's a lot of fun - even for students who cringed when I said they had to sing and dance!
Next week, they will perform for each other to get more feedback so they can be proud in two weeks when we have an audience!
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