Creative and educational resource developed by The Arts Unit in partnership with the Michael Cassel Group
Year 11 and 12 drama, music, dance and VET entertainment
Using the HAMILTON Australia production, this resource has been developed to support teachers and senior students in their knowledge and understanding of professional theatre performance and production elements.
Within the subject areas of drama, music, dance and VET entertainment, students will access cast and crew interviews, videos, images and articles to explore specifically developed activities to build their skills as a performer.
Watch the promotional video for HAMILTON Australia.
HAMILTON Australia
Duration: 00:40About HAMILTON Australia
HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. This 'theatrical landmark has transformed theatre and the way we think about history'. – The New York Times
Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, [rhythm and blues] R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre – a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.
With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography.
The Sydney Morning Herald hailed HAMILTON as 'Thrillingly entertaining … it’s a level of excellence that runs like a river of gold through the writing.'
About HAMILTON 2021
Read the article HAMILTON Sydney: What you need to know about the Australian production to find out more.
Explore the HAMILTON Australia production
Watch the Australian HAMILTON Production 2021 video as you are introduced to the character of Alexander Hamilton through the first song from the sung-through musical.
Australian HAMILTON Production 2021
Duration: 01:57Student discussion ideas
Discuss how the musical blends music styles, including hip-hop, jazz, rhythm and blues (R&B) and Broadway, and how this revolutionised itself in its approach to musical theatre.
Explore how the various characters are established through the lyrics, music, costumes and staging.
Examine the dance styles and movements used in the performance.
Identify the specific lighting techniques and effects used at various moments throughout the scenes, exploring their function and purpose in creating meaning.
Discuss how effective the different staging elements within the set design are used throughout the performance, including the revolve and props.
A Stage 4 and Stage 5 education guide has previously been written to accompany the Australian production of the musical HAMILTON. The activities in this guide have been designed to be completed pre-show and post-show.
You are encouraged to embed these activities into existing comprehensive units of work that include themes such as character, movement, music (tone and rhythm), sounds, sets and costumes.
The road to HAMILTON Australia
Explore the following video and article on how the HAMILTON Australia production was developed.
Video: HAMILTON Australia enters its final week
Duration: 05:00
The HAMILTON Australia cast
Discover the HAMILTON Australia cast through the following video and 2 articles.
Video: The cast of HAMILTON Australia
Duration: 01:46
Article 2: Meet the cast of HAMILTON Australia
History being told through musical theatre
Read the following 2 articles to explore how the HAMILTON musical about American history was developed.
Article 2: Linking hip-hop and history in HAMILTON
Who were Hamilton and Burr?
Watch the following 2 videos to learn about the characters in HAMILTON.
Video 1: Who was Hamilton?
Duration: 02:57Video 2: Aaron Burr, Sir
Duration: 01:39The music of HAMILTON
Watch the following 2 videos to learn about the music of HAMILTON.
Video 1: Lin-Manuel Miranda says Hamilton is the most hip-hop guy ever
Duration: 02:26
Video 2: The music of Hamilton
Disney+ watch HAMILTON
Watch a filmed version of the stage musical HAMILTON through Disney+ with a subscription.
Hamilton - Official Trailer - Disney+
Duration: 01:00Third-party content attributions
HAMILTON header image, including logo, reproduced and communicated with permission
HAMILTON footer image, reproduced and communicated with permission
About HAMILTON, accessed 8 September 2021, reproduced and communicated with permission
HAMILTON Australia photo, Sydney Lyric, photographer: Daniel Boud, reproduced and communicated with permission
