Date of Award

Fall 9-4-2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.

College

College of Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Mark E. Jimenez, Ed.D.

Second Advisor

Tony Goss, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Doris Dickerson, Ed.D.

Abstract

Musical theater combines two educational components; music and theater. These arts classes have demonstrated positive influences on student academic achievement and student self-esteem. Musical theater, however, has not been fully examined as a pathway to enhance student self-esteem. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of musical theater education on middle school student self-esteem. Using a qualitative case study, 11 students from a private Christian school in suburban Minnesota participated in a musical theater production to measure the effects of musical theater education on their self-esteem. Likert surveys, interviews, observations, records, and artifacts were collected to determine positive or negative interactions with the production. Data revealed self-esteem did not increase in those students who previously reported high levels of self-esteem. However, those students who reported lower levels of self-esteem demonstrated increased willingness to attempt new tasks, increased flexibility, and openness to change.

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