How to Become an Elf: Teacher's Handbook & Online PDF

Beck and his co-composers have crafted a musical that treats the Christmas story with genuine humor and heart rather than saccharine sentiment. The five-step structure gives the narrative clear scaffolding for young performers to understand and remember, while the flexible cast size (10 principals plus optional chorus) means you can adapt it to fit your exact program needs without cutting content or forcing casting compromises.

Playful and spirited without losing sight of the Christmas message at its core. The story of Eli becoming an elf through specific steps creates momentum and purpose, giving students a clear emotional arc to follow from beginning to end. Underneath the holiday fun lies genuine warmth and moments of real connection between characters.

Directors planning a 45-minute holiday program for grades 4 and up who want something that genuinely engages young performers as actors and singers. This works equally well for general music classes, school assemblies, or standalone holiday concerts where flexibility in cast size is valuable.

• Work the choreography into rehearsals early and often. These students are learning text, melody, and movement simultaneously; spreading the choreography across multiple rehearsals prevents overwhelming them and gives movement time to feel natural rather than forced.
• Use the full-performance recording in early rehearsals to let singers hear how their parts fit into the finished sound. This reference point builds confidence and helps young performers understand pacing and style choices.
• Cast the supporting roles (mom, best friends, canine companion) with strong stage presence rather than automatically assuming soloists. This musical thrives on ensemble comedy and character work, not technical vocal prowess.
• Lean into the humor of Eli's quest for elf status. Encourage actors to commit to the absurdity; audiences respond to earnest energy more than polished precision at this level.

Program this as your school's holiday showcase in December, or consider it as an assembly offering that reaches students across multiple grade levels in a single performance. Its manageable 45-minute runtime fits perfectly into a concert that might also include instrumental selections or other choral pieces without consuming an entire evening.

• Singing in two-part harmony and unison textures
• Executing choreography synchronized with singing
• Building sustained musical phrases with clear diction
• Interpreting character through vocal expression and stage presence
• Following directional cues in an ensemble setting