© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Musical Theatre Escape Room pg.

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 Escape Room-Musical Theatre!

Theatre Escape Room!

An escape room is a game where players must work together in a race against the clock to
solve a series of increasingly challenging puzzles to escape from a room or achieve a goal.

For the Musical Theatre Escape Room drama activity, the objective is for students to make their
way “On Stage” for opening night of a musical! Students will navigate their way through
different ‘rooms’ in the theatre and finally discover what show they will be performing tonight!
If you are working in a classroom or teaching online, of course, moving from ‘room to room’ will
all be imaginary. If you are working in a theatre, you may choose to place the escape clues
around the actual space.

This is a great activity to build ensemble, teach theatre vocabulary, or even provide to a
substitute teacher.

This lesson includes a teacher key and printable challenges for each group.

Theatre Vocabulary in this Escape Room:

Green Room, Orchestra Pit, Tech Booth, Catwalk, Conductor, Score,
Cues, Stage Manager, Carpenter, House Manager, Audition,
Accompanist, Antagonist, Prop Table

How to Play:
Students work in teams to solve puzzles using theatre vocabulary.
Once a puzzle is solved, they send one representative to the teacher
to see if their code works. If it is correct, they receive a new challenge
card and move into the next ‘room’ of the theatre. Teams must show not only the code, but
also how they got that code. (Process & Product)

The first group to make it ‘ON STAGE’ and to discover what show they are performing is the
winner! Consider an actual prize or bragging rights.

1. Divide the class into small groups of 2-4 people.

2. Print enough copies of the challenge cards for each group (and some extras).
3. Give each group challenge #1-Green Room. (The other challenge cards remain with
you in piles. Each group receives a new challenge card when they have figured out
each puzzle.)
4. When they have the ‘code’ to the next room they send one person to the teacher to
verify.
5. If they are correct (and their method is correct) they get the next challenge.
6. Continue working through challenges until everyone ‘makes it on stage.’
7. Consider allowing them to ask you for clues. Decide your guidelines for that.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Musical Theatre Escape Room pg. 2

 Musical Theatre
Escape Room

Say!
Your objective is to make your way ON STAGE for OPENING
NIGHT! Navigate your way through different rooms in the theatre
to finally discover what show you will be performing tonight!

Work with your team to come up with the answers for each
challenge. This will give you a code to get into the next ‘room’ of
the theatre. When you think you have the code, send one
representative (not the entire group) to the teacher to get your
next challenge. You must show your work, so we know you have
the process and the product. In other words, you must provide
not only the code, but also how you got that code.

Challenge #1 Green Room

You have arrived at the theatre early to make sure you have plenty of time. You head into the
green room to see if anyone is there. On the table you notice an item that someone will
definitely need for this show. Figure out what it is and to whom it belongs. That will be your
code to get to the next room of the theatre. (You need to fill in the blanks and get the code.)

1. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is a famous _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _and lyricist who wrote Into The Woods.

2. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is a musical set in the Caribbean.

3. _ _ _ _ _ _ is a musical based on a play by Lorraine Hansberry.

4. Half of the famous Broadway duo, Kander and _ _ _.

Hints: bold letters/sports and music

CODE: _ _ _ _ _

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Musical Theatre Escape Room pg. 3

Challenge #2 Orchestra Pit
Congrats! You’ve made it to the Orchestra Pit. The conductor is very thankful that you returned
the musical score. Without it, she would not be able to lead the orchestra in tonight’s
production. While you are in the orchestra pit, you look around. You see lots of chairs and
music stands. In fact, you see that every musician has a musical score. Some of the musicians
are starting to arrive and warm up. You are down beneath the stage, but if you pop your head
up you can see where the audience will be sitting in about an hour. You can also see up to the
booth. That’s where you’d like to go next, but you need the code. (Find the words to get the
code!)

1. This person calls the show: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. This person is in charge of the lobby and tends to the audience needs:
_____ _______

3. This person helps build the set: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4. This person helps people find their seats and passes out programs: _ _ _ _ _

Hints: Behind the Scenes

CODE: _ _ _ _

Challenge # 3 Tech Booth

Congratulations! You made it up to the booth. The technicians are getting ready for the show,
checking all their cues and equipment. This is where the stage manager will call the show and
the light and soundboard operators will make everything happen. As you look out you can see
the cat walk. This is an elevated area above the theatre where lights and sound equipment can
hang and be manipulated. Not every theatre has one, but this one does. You want to go check
it out, but you need the code.

1. An actor must do this in order to be cast in a show _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

2. This person provides musical support by playing piano or other instruments along with
the singers. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

3. This character works against the protagonist in theatre _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Hint: Perform

CODE: _ _ _

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Musical Theatre Escape Room pg. 4

Challenge #4 Catwalk
Wow! From way up here you have a great view of the stage and the set. Lots of folks are
starting to arrive and warm up. That’s where you want to go next! You need to get down there
too, but first you need a code.

1. One who creates and teaches the dances for a musical: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. One who assists the choreographer, and leads warm ups: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3. This musical is about a sinking boat: _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4. This RENT composer’s name was Jonathon _ _ _ _ _ _.

Hint: 1 2 3 4 / Meow Musical

CODE: _ _ _ _

Challenge #5 On Stage
Congratulations! You made it on stage! As you look around and listen, you will discover clues as
to the Musical you are performing tonight!

The prop table has buckets, scrub brushes, and mops.

What characters will use these items? _ _ _ _ _ _ _

In the dressing room there is a bald cap for one of the actors.
What character will wear this? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Someone is singing a song with the words, “How come I’m the mother of the year?”
What character sings this song? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Answer all the questions and identify the musical.

Tonight you are performing what musical? _ _ _ _ _

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Musical Theatre Escape Room pg. 5

 Teacher Key
Musical Theatre-Escape Room

Challenge #1 Green Room

You have arrived at the theatre early to make sure you have plenty of time. You head into the
green room to see if anyone is there. On the table you notice an item that someone will
definitely need for this show. Figure out what it is and to whom it belongs. That will be your
code to get to the next room of the theatre. (You need to fill in the blanks and get the code.)

1. SONDHEIM is a famous COMPOSER and lyricist who wrote Into The Woods.

2. ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is a musical set in the Caribbean.

3. RAISIN is a musical based on a play by Lorraine Hansberry.

4. Half of the famous Broadway duo, Kander and EBB.

Hint: sports and music

CODE: S C O R E

Challenge #2 Orchestra Pit

The conductor is very thankful that you returned the musical score. Without it, she would not
be able to lead the orchestra in tonight’s production. While you are in the orchestra pit, you
look around. You see lots of chairs and music stands. In fact, you see that every musician has a
musical score. Some of the musicians are starting to arrive and warm up. You are down
beneath the stage, but if you pop your head up you can see where the audience will be sitting
in about an hour. You can also see up to the booth. That’s where you’d like to go next, but you
need the code. (You need the words and the code!)

1. This person calls the show: STAGE MANAGER

2. This person is in charge of the lobby and tends to the audience needs: HOUSE
MANAGER

3. This person helps build the set: CARPENTER

4. This person helps people find their seats and passes out programs: USHER

Hint: Bold Letters/Behind the Scenes

CODE: TECH

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Musical Theatre Escape Room pg. 6

Challenge #3 Tech Booth
Congratulations! You made it up to the booth. The technicians are getting ready for the show,
checking all their cues and equipment. This is where the stage manager will call the show and
the light and soundboard operators will make everything happen. As you look out you can see
the cat walk. This is an elevated area above the theatre where lights and sound equipment can
hang and be manipulated. Not every theatre has one, but this one does. You want to go check
it out, but you need the code.

1. An actor must do this in order to be cast in a show AUDITION.

2. This person provides musical support by playing piano or other instruments along with
the singers. ACCOMPANIST
3. This character works against the protagonist in theatre ANTAGONIST.

Hint: Perform
CODE: ACT

Challenge #4 Catwalk
Wow! From way up here you have a great view of the stage and the set. Lots of folks are
starting to arrive and warm up. That’s where you want to go next! You need to get down there
too, but first you need a code.

1. One who creates and teaches the dances for a musical: CHOREOGRAPHER
2. One who assists the choreographer, and leads warm ups: DANCE CAPTAIN
3. This musical is about a sinking boat: TITANIC
4. This RENT composer’s name was Jonathon LARSON.

Hint: 1 2 3 4/Meow Musical

CODE: CATS

Challenge #5 On Stage
Congratulations! You made it on stage! Look around and listen to discover clues as to the
Musical you are performing tonight! Answer all the questions.

The prop table has buckets, scrub brushes, and mops.

What characters will use these items? ORPHANS

In the dressing room there is a bald cap for one of the actors.
What character will wear this? DADDY WARBUCKS

You hear someone singing a song with the words, “How come I’m the mother of the year?”
What character sings this song? MISS HANNIGAN

Tonight you are performing what musical? ANNIE

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Musical Theatre Escape Room pg. 7