Cantonese Musical Theatre in a Secondary School in Macau, China: A Curriculum Development Research Project

The primary goal of this teacher research study was to explore the impact of musical theatre education on students' artistic, social, and personal development, and to assess the use of a collaborative and interdisciplinary curriculum model to implement the project. The purpose was to document the implementation of a musical theatre project based on the musical, Dalia, in a middle school in Macau, China. An excerpt from the Cantonese musical theatre show, Dalia, was chosen as the material for the production. Two research questions guided the study: 1) What knowledge, skills, and personal growth did students gain from their participation in the Dalia project? 2) What were the key elements of the collaborative curriculum model used to implement the project at the Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School in Macau? This study involved 20 secondary school students from two different music extracurricular activities at Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School Macau. I collected data through interviews, questionnaires, and rehearsal and performance recordings. Findings indicate that musical theatre education, particularly through a culturally relevant production like Dalia, offers significant benefits for students’ artistic, social, and personal growth. It enhances their musical, acting, and dance abilities while also boosting confidence and stage presence. Additionally, it fosters teamwork, communication skills, and self-expression, contributing to students' emotional and social development. The collaborative model used in the project proved to be effective in fostering interdisciplinary learning and creative engagement. Key elements of this model included communication, artist-centered cooperation, a spiral curriculum approach to learning, and flexibility.