Here are suggested ways to engage students with this video and with activities related to this topic.

• Viewing the video: Use the following suggestions to guide students’ viewing of the video.
  • Before viewing: Ask students to reflect for a moment on what makes a performance of a musical theater song compelling. If you wish, have them jot down their ideas and then ask for a few that you can put on the board.
  • During viewing: Show the video and ask for student responses to the performance, with a focus on the ideas they have already given.
• Divide the class into three groups and give each group the following directions for watching the video. After the viewing, ask each group to give a brief report on what they noticed.
  • Ask group 1 to note all the emotions that the singer goes through as she sings the song and at what points her emotions change.
  • Ask group 2 to listen to the musical characteristics of the performance, noting specific things the performer does with her voice.
  • Ask group 3 to focus on the character and her story in the song as well as how the performer is bringing this to life. [Note: If your students are not familiar with Smile, provide them with a summary of the story and some background information on the character. You can find sample descriptions online or write up your own.]
• Ask students to think about a song they sing or plan to sing and to describe each of these elements as they appear in the song: emotional content, musical considerations, and dramatic character. Then ask them how all three elements combine into a whole and how this might influence their performance.

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