Middle School Published: February 18, 2026 | Updated: February 26, 2026 Overview This easy-to-use program has been developed to give you all the tools you need to introduce theater in the classroom free of charge. The rigorous 18-session curriculum for 7th-8th grade students is an immersive, project-based exploration of theater-making. Resources Sessions Session 1: Introduction Discover the fundamentals of musical theater and learn about jobs in the theater. Session 2: Pride Explore the structure of The Lion King Experience, create an Ensemble Contract, and develop a strong community. Session 3: Rhythm Explore call and response, create original rhythms, and deepen community building. Session 4: Plot Explore the characters and plot of The Lion King JR., and perform scenes. Session 5: Story Investigate the story of The Lion King, explore dramatic structure, experiment with adaptation, and write in character voice. Session 6: Ensemble Understand the importance of a strong ensemble in the theater, and create original ensemble characters. Session 7: Foundations Learn the parts of the stage, and experiment with foundational music, dance, and acting concepts. Session 8: Process Discover the audition, rehearsal, and performance processes for The Lion King, and bring them to life. Session 9: Objective Explore characters’ objectives in The Lion King, investigate given circumstances, and experiment with various acting techniques to perform strong objectives. Session 10: Character Explore various characters in The Lion King, and develop strong characters through movement, improvisation, and analysis. Session 11: Vision Meet the director of The Lion King, explore the concept of a director’s vision, and create a directorial vision for The Lion King JR. Session 12: Image Explore the design process, and discover how a director’s vision can be realized through design. Create original mask, puppet, and costume designs. Session 13: Transition Understand the various transitions used in the theater, and create original theatrical transitions through design, directing, and performance. Session 14: Space Explore the use of space in the theater, and use scene changes, set design, and blocking to tell the story of The Lion King. Session 15: Sound Explore the use of sound in the theater, and experiment with microphones, Foley art, and underscoring to create the aural world of The Lion King. Session 16: Atmosphere Explore how atmosphere is created on stage, and use sound, lighting, and movement to create atmosphere and mood for The Lion King. Session 17: Cue Discover how various people in the theater work together to bring a show to life. Investigate the various cues that take place on stage, backstage, and in the house. Session 18: Reflection Reflect on the various sessions and accomplishments of The Lion King Experience, and put everything together for a final performance. Session 19: Complete CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve completed The Lion King Experience!