Wicked, the internationally acclaimed Broadway musical, has made its much-anticipated debut as a film, captivating audiences with a fresh perspective on the magical land of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival. The musical and film center around Elphaba, a misunderstood witch destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West, and her deepening friendship with Glinda, who later becomes the Good Witch. Notably, 10-year-old Karis Musongole from Manchester plays the young Elphaba, offering a unique view into childhood experiences in large productions. Exploring Wicked’s Impact and Karis Musongole’s Role Wicked invites viewers to think differently about the story they know from The Wizard of Oz. The new film adaptation has prompted reflection within schools, using posters and videos to spark conversations about the film. Pupils are encouraged to discuss what they’ve seen or heard about Wicked, and how seeing someone their age, like Karis, in a lead role might feel both exciting and challenging. Discussions center on the highs, such as performing on a big stage, and the possible lows, like nerves or time away from home. Classroom Discussion Starters Teachers and students are prompted to watch interviews with the Wicked cast, considering questions they’d like to ask Karis or other actors. These could include inquiries about rehearsals, balancing schoolwork, or overcoming nerves. By thinking about their own experiences in school plays or performances, students relate to the process—and the teamwork—involved in creating a successful show, both on stage and behind the scenes. What Makes Someone a Star? In class assemblies and discussions, the qualities that make someone a ‘star’ are explored. Being a star isn’t only about appearing on stage or being famous. It means using unique talents and gifts, whether that’s playing an instrument, acting, singing, or helping others. Students reflect on people in their lives who shine, from friends and family to teachers and role models, celebrating kindness, encouragement, and teamwork alongside performance skills. Learning Through Performance Taking part in performances—whether in music, drama, or assembly—requires effort, practice, and sometimes overcoming nerves. Students consider how they prepare: rehearsing lines, creating props, and advertising events. They discuss the different roles in a production, both on stage and behind the scenes, and consider which roles they might enjoy most, from acting and singing to lighting, costumes, or set-building. Reflecting on Skills Developed Performance participation builds a wide range of skills, such as communication, confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving. Students share their personal experiences, describing what they learned—perhaps to persevere, support others, or handle nerves like Basma, one of the resource contributors who mentions being both nervous and excited. Students talk about strategies to overcome nerves, such as practicing, support from friends, or focusing on the joy of sharing their talents. The Many Ways to Shine: Stars at School and Beyond Being a star is about more than performance. It includes spreading kindness, helping others, or making someone smile. Classes are encouraged to recognise all the unique ways people can shine, through talents, hard work, or thoughtfulness. Pupils are urged to identify the ‘stars’ in their own lives—whether famous icons, characters in stories, or members of their school community. Reflection and Activities for Primary Students Reflection activities invite pupils to think about what makes them special. Using a star shape, they can draw or write about their talents or the ways they help others. Students proudly share their decorated stars with the class, celebrating the diversity of skills and personalities in their community. Assemblies highlight the significance of kindness and the importance of making others feel special and valued. Activity Suggestions Drawing or decorating star shapes and discussing their own unique qualities. Designing performance posters with engaging titles, ambitious vocabulary, and eye-catching designs to practice persuasive writing skills. Surveying the class about films, performances, or books to gather and analyze opinions, learning about data collection and interpretation. Key Vocabulary in Context Vocabulary explored during the assembly includes: Broadway: The famous theatre district in New York City known for musicals and plays. Cast: The group of performers in a production. Munchkin: Cheerful characters from Oz, such as those in Wicked. Perspective: A different viewpoint or way of telling a story. Premiere: The first showing of a performance or film. Roles: The characters or positions people take on in performances or productions. Encouraging Everyone to Shine A primary school assembly or classroom discussion on this theme concludes with the message that everyone can shine—on stage, behind the scenes, or in everyday acts of kindness. Celebrating individuality and recognising diverse talents help build supportive school communities where everyone can feel like a star. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
