Through musical theater, junior hones research skills

Two years ago in Brad Brickner’s music history class Meghan Hammond enjoyed learning about music history but had a special interest in musicals.

In total, Meghan has seen 17 musicals. This interest was sparked after her friend got a “Hamilton” CD and would regularly sing the songs when he was with her.

When the singing wouldn’t end, Meghan became annoyed and eventually made a deal with him. She would listen to the album and if she liked it, they could enjoy it together, but if not, her friend had to quit it. After listening, she was obsessed and her love only grew from there.

As the year went on, she turned in multiple extra credit write ups on Broadway musicals she attended, but would have happily done them without the credit.

A passion for musical theater has stuck with Meghan throughout high school — culminating in an independent study regarding its history.

The experience allowed Meghan, now a junior, to grow her passion about something she is truly interested in without focusing on a grade.

“I’m really getting to personalize exactly like how I’m going into this and what we focus on,” Meghan said. “It’s more centered around me.”

Mr. Brickner completely agreed. He said he has enjoyed seeing Meghan explore a topic she loves.

“This has been the perfect independent study because she does the vast bulk of the work,” Mr. Brickner said. “I try to provide materials and resources and point her in a direction or two, but by and large she is so self motivated.”

The study has not only given Meghan lots of knowledge about musical theater, she is learning to comprehensively explore an interest.

“It’s given me good practice on going out and finding my own research and coming to my own conclusions about stuff,” Meghan said.

Within the next few weeks, Meghan will be a guest speaker and present to two sections of Mr. Brickner’s music history and music explorations classes and possibly a few other high school classes. The experience has come full circle for Meghan as she is scheduled to present to the class where she first began to research Broadway musicals.

Megan said, “Overall, It’s just a fun thing to spend my time on, and I really like doing it.”