Blog Musicals for Change |
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 In a world where all of us are encouraged to share, and share, and share some more, it's hard to sift through the mundane in social media to find the truly meaningful. I've posted photos of great meals, the flowers in my yard, and proud mama moments, just like everyone else. But ultimately, my hope is that someone, while scrolling through all the usual food photos and cat pics, will see a post about our Musicals for Change shows and feel excited to find, among all that is ordinary, something truly unique.
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 I’m going to be honest with you. The music industry doesn’t know what to do with me and my company. They want to know “Where do you fit? Are your shows sacred or secular?” My goal is to be both. Wouldn’t it be nice if our secular life had a few more of those sacred moments? And wouldn’t it also be nice if we opened our church doors a little wider? Do we always need to divide life into “sacred” or “secular”? In my opinion, no. It’s going to take all of us working together to make this world a kinder, more generous place. I’ll give you a little background so you know where I’m coming from. I grew up playing the piano in church. I have two music education degrees and have taught for many years in a variety of settings from public middle school to private K-8 Christian schools of various denominations. I’ve directed community theater productions, summer theatre camp performances, adult church choirs, children’s church choirs, and public high school musicals. I’m a musical mutt, but it’s given me a broad perspective and a desire to seize every musical opportunity for good. No, Musicals for Change doesn’t fit into any one category, but I don’t think we need to. Read our scripts, listen to the songs, check out the comprehensive Director's Guide with optional Dig Deeper Devotions and Conversation Starters, and consider the suggested Big Impact Activities to plan a shoe drive, an ice cream fundraiser, a musical instrument donation or a mind-blowing new mission project, all while experiencing the fun of a kid’s musical. Without the confines of categories, we're free to forge a better path!  Diane BecksteadDiane Beckstead is a composer and founder of Musicals for Change, a publishing company producing quality kid's musicals which partner with nonprofits to teach kids empathy and the power of their own voices.
 I’m feeling a real sense of urgency. We need more kindness! We need love! We need understanding! Right now, there simply aren't enough of these essential human qualities and with every day that passes, it feels as if there are even less. But when despair sets in, I have to remind myself of the tremendous opportunity I have – I work with KIDS! Kids are not just our future, they’re our hope. The reason I do what I do is because I know that theater makes better people. It can give us the capacity to develop kindness, love, and understanding. And I get to instill that message in the students I work with. What a tremendous gift! If it wasn’t for the young actors I teach, the events happening around me would certainly leave me in a dark place.  So, there’s not a moment to waste! Forego the 'fluffy' shows and give your kids something more challenging. Choose a musical that's a ton of fun but also meaningful. Dig into the message, relate it to your students, use it to build community and empathy, give them the tools to be generous and kind, then do some good. Give them an opportunity to demonstrate the life lessons they’ve learned and then send them out with this directive – make the world better! It’s our only hope
Diane Beckstead is a composer and founder of Musicals for Change, a publishing company producing quality kid's musicals which partner with nonprofits to teach kids empathy and the power of their own voices. |
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 | 'Tis the season of giving, and many of us are doing our best to be generous with our time and resources. However, the need is great, and countless worthy causes are asking for our support. The truth is, we all have limits. You’ve probably heard this quote from Mother Teresa: “Don’t look for big things. Just do small things with great love.” Small changes in our lives can have far-reaching consequences. The key is to identify our habitual decisions and reframe our choices. |
As a children’s musical director, you have the unique opportunity to make a relatively small decision that could have broad implications—for your kids, your audience, and your community. By choosing a musical that inspires generosity and kindness, you can encourage those around you to become better, more compassionate people and provide support to a worthy cause.
Recently, I was asked to write a mini Christmas musical for a dozen children. This was a chance not only to create a fun show, but also to expand its impact. On Sunday, these kids—along with the help of two adult actors—will perform The Blessing Tree, a story that highlights the importance of Christmas ornaments and the blessings they represent.
During the four weeks of rehearsal, the cast sold ornaments to benefit Ornaments for Orphans, a nonprofit that sells fair trade Christmas decorations to support children in need. The church raised over $600, with more donations expected during Sunday’s performance. This decision—to perform for a cause—has taught these kids that even at a young age, their voices can make a real difference.
Every Musical for Change production offers two things: 1) a chance for kids to have a blast performing, and 2) an opportunity for directors to share a high-quality, meaningful musical. But each show also carries a third primary goal. As a director, you know you’ll be spending weeks—or even months—rehearsing a production that builds confidence, promotes teamwork, and provides valuable life lessons. By choosing a musical with a greater purpose, you can weave in lessons of compassion and put those lessons into action.
Your thoughtful choice as a director isn’t just about producing a great show. It’s an opportunity to do a small thing with great love at Christmastime and throughout the year.
Recently, I was asked to write a mini Christmas musical for a dozen children. This was a chance not only to create a fun show, but also to expand its impact. On Sunday, these kids—along with the help of two adult actors—will perform The Blessing Tree, a story that highlights the importance of Christmas ornaments and the blessings they represent.
During the four weeks of rehearsal, the cast sold ornaments to benefit Ornaments for Orphans, a nonprofit that sells fair trade Christmas decorations to support children in need. The church raised over $600, with more donations expected during Sunday’s performance. This decision—to perform for a cause—has taught these kids that even at a young age, their voices can make a real difference.
Every Musical for Change production offers two things: 1) a chance for kids to have a blast performing, and 2) an opportunity for directors to share a high-quality, meaningful musical. But each show also carries a third primary goal. As a director, you know you’ll be spending weeks—or even months—rehearsing a production that builds confidence, promotes teamwork, and provides valuable life lessons. By choosing a musical with a greater purpose, you can weave in lessons of compassion and put those lessons into action.
Your thoughtful choice as a director isn’t just about producing a great show. It’s an opportunity to do a small thing with great love at Christmastime and throughout the year.
Diane Beckstead
Diane Beckstead is a composer and founder of Musicals for Change, a publishing company producing quality kid's musicals which partner with nonprofits to teach kids empathy and the power of their own voices.
https://www.musicalsforchange.com/
“Try your best to make goodness attractive. That's one of the toughest assignments you'll ever be given.”
Fred Rogers
Goodness. It’s a difficult word to define but we know it’s a quality we should strive for. Being “good” is a daily challenge. As adults, we generally insist that our children “be good,” but we sometimes send the opposite message – that goodness isn’t fun.
Mr. Roger’s quote seems to acknowledge that our natural inclination is NOT goodness. None of us is truly good unless we make the effort to do good things. And inspiring others to do the same is not an easy task. In fact, Fred Rogers says it is “one of the toughest assignments you’ll ever be given.” But don’t we all want to live in a world that is good? Where people are kind to each other and treat each other fairly?
“Try your best…..” As music teachers and directors of children’s theater, we have a tremendous opportunity to promote kindness in our casts and empathy in the audiences who attend our shows. In your rehearsals, are cooperation and caring valued and encouraged in actionable ways? When you have completed a performance, does your audience leave feeling inspired to take positive action on a personal level or communally?
“Good” is contagious. We continue to return to the example of Mr. Rogers because we know, deep down, that “good” is good for us! And the best way to promote that message is not to lecture, but to entertain. Why settle for mediocre stories, stereotypical characters, and “fluffy” music when you could make people laugh, cry, and come out on the other side feeling hopeful and inspired? Goodness can be both meaningful and fun.
Try your best to make goodness attractive. Our kids deserve it!
Fred Rogers
Goodness. It’s a difficult word to define but we know it’s a quality we should strive for. Being “good” is a daily challenge. As adults, we generally insist that our children “be good,” but we sometimes send the opposite message – that goodness isn’t fun.
Mr. Roger’s quote seems to acknowledge that our natural inclination is NOT goodness. None of us is truly good unless we make the effort to do good things. And inspiring others to do the same is not an easy task. In fact, Fred Rogers says it is “one of the toughest assignments you’ll ever be given.” But don’t we all want to live in a world that is good? Where people are kind to each other and treat each other fairly?
“Try your best…..” As music teachers and directors of children’s theater, we have a tremendous opportunity to promote kindness in our casts and empathy in the audiences who attend our shows. In your rehearsals, are cooperation and caring valued and encouraged in actionable ways? When you have completed a performance, does your audience leave feeling inspired to take positive action on a personal level or communally?
“Good” is contagious. We continue to return to the example of Mr. Rogers because we know, deep down, that “good” is good for us! And the best way to promote that message is not to lecture, but to entertain. Why settle for mediocre stories, stereotypical characters, and “fluffy” music when you could make people laugh, cry, and come out on the other side feeling hopeful and inspired? Goodness can be both meaningful and fun.
Try your best to make goodness attractive. Our kids deserve it!
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Diane Beckstead is a composer and founder of Musicals for Change, a publishing company producing quality kid's musicals which partner with nonprofits to teach kids empathy and the power of their own voices.
https://www.musicalsforchange.com/
,Church is one of the rare places where people of all ages are welcomed and encouraged to form strong relationships. However, many pews are filled with older adults and few young families, despite our best efforts to build kid’s ministry. Instead of trying to create new children’s programs, why not offer opportunities for intergenerational activity, such as a musical?
Multi-age drama intentionally gathers adults and children together to benefit both groups.* Christmas is a great time for an all-church production! Not only does this solve the problem of too few children, it also provides positive outcomes for everyone involved.
Benefits for kids:
Multi-age drama intentionally gathers adults and children together to benefit both groups.* Christmas is a great time for an all-church production! Not only does this solve the problem of too few children, it also provides positive outcomes for everyone involved.
Benefits for kids:
- Build nurturing relationships with seniors, particularly for kids whose relatives live far away
- Gain empathy for adults and understanding of their needs
- Learn new skills and receive positive feedback
- Enjoyment of a creative endeavor
- Social involvement with children and other adults
- Opportunity for skill development and cognitive challenge
A Christmas Musical for All Generations
Merry Birthday?, a 25-minute Christmas musical from Musicals for Change, could easily be performed by a multigenerational cast. The story is set in an unlikely place: a bus station on Christmas Eve. Eleven-year-old Elijah and his family are snowed in, jeopardizing their holiday AND Elijah's birthday, a celebration he shares with Jesus every December 25th. While he grumpily relates the many disadvantages of a Christmas birthday to Abby, a foster child on her way to a new home, fellow travelers quietly prepare a memorable surprise!
To perform the show intergenerationally:
To perform the show intergenerationally:
- Ask church choir members (adults and/or children) to fill the role of carolers.
- Cast two kids, ages 10-14, to play the leads.
- Recruit adults (who probably know a thing or two about frustrating travel) to play fellow travelers.
Make It An All-Church Mission
| Merry Birthday? is partnered with Foster Love, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting kids in foster care (10% of the cost of each musical is donated to Foster Love). Additionally, “big impact” activities found in the Director’s Guide can rally your entire congregation to serve disadvantaged kids whose birthdays may be overlooked. Relationships between different generations don’t just happen – they have to be nurtured. This Christmas, build your church community AND share Christ’s love with a performance for everyone. |  |
Diane Beckstead
Diane Beckstead is a composer and founder of Musicals for Change, a publishing company producing quality kid's musicals which partner with nonprofits to teach kids empathy and the power of their own voices.
https://www.musicalsforchange.com/
*Translating Knowledge: Promoting Health Through Intergenerational Community Arts Programming
Sharon Anderson, MSc, MEd [email protected], Janet Fast, PhD, […], and David Barnet, BAHons, March 1, 2016
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1524839915625037
Sharon Anderson, MSc, MEd [email protected], Janet Fast, PhD, […], and David Barnet, BAHons, March 1, 2016
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1524839915625037
Want to produce a children’s musical but don’t have enough kids? Why not pull in a few adults and create an intergenerational production?
THEATER CAMP FOR ELEMENTARY THROUGH COLLEGE
This past July, I had the opportunity to attend a production of our newest show, Shhh! at the Sugar Cube Café, performed by the New Wilmington Theater Project, a summer collaboration between Westminster College and the New Wilmington School District. Being a new program, the numbers were small, but the college students stepped in to help these kids put on a heartwarming production. The campers (and one high schooler) played the parts of child characters and street musicians. College students took on the role of grumpy business owners, joined in the ensemble songs, changed sets, and generally guided their young cast. The result of this multi-age partnership was a sweet outdoor performance on a beautiful summer evening.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVS0dWLEVwI&t=403s)
Said Tara Hackwelder, their director, “It was such a fun, delightful, and entertaining show, and our audience loved it! Most importantly, our cast members loved it!”
It would have been difficult for these young actors to perform a 60-minute show had it not been for their college assistants. Likewise, the college students gained valuable experience and directorial skill.
Adult actors of any age can bring a new dimension to your production. Benefits of multi-age musical collaborations for kids:
- Build nurturing relationships
- Gain empathy and understanding
- Learn skills and receive positive feedback
The takeaway: Don’t rule out a children’s production because you don’t have many children. Create a positive experience for kids with a few willing adults and everybody wins!
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Diane Beckstead
Diane Beckstead is a composer and founder of Musicals for Change, a publishing company producing quality kid's musicals which partner with nonprofits to teach kids empathy and the power of their own voices (https://www.musicalsforchange.com).
The Power of Emojis
Emojis can be exceptionally useful in rehearsals with young actors. Download the attached poster and use it to:
Emojis can be exceptionally useful in rehearsals with young actors. Download the attached poster and use it to:
- Find out how your kids are feeling before rehearsal starts. Ask each one which number is most like how they currently feel. If everyone is a number 2, you know you've got to start with an energizer!
- Identify particular emotions. Describe each numbered in emoji in words.
- Practice facial expressions. Call out numbers and ask students to mimic the corresponding expressions.
- Practice body language. How would number 4 look, not just with facial expressions, but with body language as well?
- Ask one student to mimic an emoji on the chart. Can the rest of the cast guess which number emoji is being acted out?
- Discuss how your character may be feeling in a particular scene. Is it one of the numbered emojis? A combination of numbers? What would that emoji look like? Look for a more accurate emoji online or create your own.
| emotion_emojis_.docx |
Diane Beckstead
Diane Beckstead is a composer and founder of Musicals for Change, a publishing company producing quality kid's musicals which partner with nonprofits to teach kids empathy and the power of their own voices (https://www.musicalsforchange.com).
We all know auditions can be terrifying! Fear of auditioning can deter kids who would like to participate in a show from joining your production. Here's the process I use to make sure auditions for young actors are as nonthreatening as possible while providing the information I need to cast a show.
STEPS:
WHY THIS WORKS
ASSESS THE RISKS
I also recommend assessing each student's risk level. For example, for our new show, Souper Hero Rescue in Hot Springs, students filled out the form below:
STEPS:
- As a group, read through the show's script or a few scenes.
- Choose a short, expressive, easy-to-remember line and read it aloud, then ask the group to repeat it once or twice.
- Ask, “Would anyone like to say that line by themselves?”
- Listen as they volunteer, giving positive comments to each.
- After a few students have said the line, begin asking volunteers, “Could you say that line differently?” (from the previous child)
- Look for students who have not volunteered and ask reticent students directly, “Would you like to give it a try?”
- Choose a new line by a different character and repeat the process
WHY THIS WORKS
- It is nonthreatening and communal.
- Students receive immediate feedback.
- Students learn from each other how to speak expressively.
- It lessens the pressure for students who don’t read well but can speak expressively.
- Students themselves can hear who performed well, so that when the cast list is posted, it will be clearer why the director made those choices.
ASSESS THE RISKS
I also recommend assessing each student's risk level. For example, for our new show, Souper Hero Rescue in Hot Springs, students filled out the form below:
Once students know that auditions are actually FUN, you will have bigger casts and happier kids! Everybody wins.
Diane Beckstead
Music Educator, Composer, Founder: Musicals for Change
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