Broadway Planning Tips for Group Leaders and Educators
Planning a Broadway trip with students or colleagues can be an exciting adventure. However, navigating the complexities of ticketing, logistics, and pre-show preparation is essential to ensure a seamless and enriching experience. This guide offers practical advice from people in the theatre field to help group leaders and educators plan the ultimate Broadway trip for their class.
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MJ Musical on Broadway in NY
Why Broadway?
Beyond its glitz and glamour, Broadway offers a unique blend of culture, history, and entertainment. The diverse range of shows, from classic musicals to contemporary dramas, provides ample opportunities for educational exploration. Broadway offers shows that are easy to align with a specific curriculum or simply to give a memorable cultural experience for young viewers.
Setting the Stage: Research and Planning
Before diving into the logistics, take the time to research the shows that best suit your group’s interests and educational goals. Broadway Inbound is an excellent official resource for exploring current show options and accessing Study Guides that accompany some productions. Study Guides are created in collaboration with the shows’ teams and guarantee accurate, in-depth materials for you to prepare. By aligning your choices with your curriculum, you can maximize the educational impact of your trip and become one of the teachers your students will remember for years to come!
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Booking Your Broadway Adventure
Once you’ve selected your show, it’s time to secure your tickets. Consider booking early to guarantee the best seats, especially for popular and new shows.
Take advantage of group discounts offered by Broadway Inbound.
- Preferred Seating: Broadway Inbound allows you to secure preferred seating arrangements for your group. Usually, visitors are able to choose a section of a theatre they’d like to be seated in and Broadway Inbound operators will do the rest to ensure your group sits together.
- Travel Packages: To streamline your travel planning, consider partnering with a specialized tour operator like EF Explore America, or Gerber Tours. These companies offer comprehensive packages that include accommodations, transportation, teacher benefits, and more. Additionally, a trip organized by a specialized tour operator will set parents at ease, as they can see the entire process through and have all their questions answered by travel industry professionals.
As you navigate the array of potential show options, here’s a production to choose from for your upcoming visit:
A Wonderful World: A Life of Love and Music
A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical is a musical journey through the life of the legendary Louis Armstrong. This inspiring show offers a unique opportunity to introduce students to the rich history of jazz music and the enduring power of love, hope, and perseverance. By exploring Armstrong’s life story through the eyes of his four wives, the musical provides a fresh and intimate perspective on one of the greatest musicians of all time. The show’s score features timeless classics like “What a Wonderful World” and “Hello, Dolly!” that might not be familiar to today’s students; however, this gives young viewers an opportunity to widen their musical palette.
Pre-Show Preparations
Logistics and Travel Planning:
- Transportation: Familiarize yourself with New York City’s public transportation system, including the MTA, Long Island Rail Road, and NJ Transit. Allow extra time for travel to avoid unexpected delays. Here, you can find more travel resources to help you during your planning process.
- Group Management: Implement a buddy system or assign group leaders to manage your party and ensure timely arrivals. But even before that, consider using GroupTools to keep track of all the bookings, payments, and group members. You can also survey your group on their perspectives on various parts of the trip, collect allergy information, and more.
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The New York City Ballet for Student Groups
Pre-Show Enrichment:
- Workshops and Discussions: To enhance your group’s understanding of the shows, organize pre-show workshops or discussion sessions. Consider booking workshops led by Broadway professionals or creating your own interactive activities. Broadway Inbound can help organize a customizable masterclass on any Broadway topic. Whether you come with a dance ensemble or a choir group, this trip will entertain and add to your students’ artistic skills, be it singing, instruments, or even technical aspects of putting on a show.
- Study Guides: Utilize study guides provided by Broadway Inbound to prepare your group for the shows and spark post-show discussions. Study Guides contain easy-to-follow units on various subjects, from history and creation of a show to plot and creative elements. Guides also make it easier to formulate meaningful questions about the material and lead the conversation to be valuable for students and their chaperones alike.
The Day of the Show
- Arrival at the theatre: Arrive at the theatre at least 30 minutes before the show to allow for security screening and seating.
- Theatre Etiquette: Familiarize your group with theatre etiquette, such as silencing phones and refraining from talking or taking pictures during the performance. Read more on that here.Â
- Post-Show Activities: New York is teeming with things to do and see. With a bit of research, you can find an activity that will complement the show you’ve just seen. For example, The Louis Armstrong House Museum, located in Queens, New York, offers visitors a glimpse into the life and legacy of the legendary musician. It houses a collection of Armstrong’s personal belongings, instruments, and memorabilia.
A Lasting Impact
A Broadway trip can be a truly transformative experience for students and educators. By following these tips, you can ensure a smooth and enriching journey that will leave a lasting impact on your group of students. Careful planning and attention to detail are the keys to a successful Broadway trip. By taking the time to research, book, and prepare, you can create a memorable experience that your group will cherish for years to come.
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