Researching a Piece of Musical Theatre

Researching a Piece of Musical Theatre

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify the original author, composer, and choreographer and their intentions for the musical theatre piece. At the end of the lesson you will understand the intended mood and style/genre of the piece. At the end of the lesson you will be able to discuss the themes and ideas presented in the piece. At the end of the lesson you will comprehend the role of the performance space in the piece. At the end of the lesson you will be able to articulate the purpose of the piece. At the end of the lesson you will analyze the relationship between the audience and the performer. At the end of the lesson you will recognize the original target audience and the new target audience of the piece.

What do you already know about researching musical theatre pieces?

Original author/composer/choreographer and their intentions

Author/Composer/Choreographer: The individuals who write, create the music for, and design the dance movements of a musical theatre piece, respectively.

Intended mood and style/genre

Mood and Style/Genre: The emotional quality and the category of art, music, or literature that the piece belongs to.

Themes and ideas

Themes and Ideas: The central topics, messages, or subjects that the piece explores.

Performance space

Performance Space: The venue or type of venue where the piece is performed, which can affect the production's design and audience experience.

Purpose of the piece

Purpose: The reason behind creating the piece, which could be to entertain, educate, provoke thought, etc.

Relationship between audience and performer

Audience and Performer Relationship: The interaction and connection between those watching the piece and those performing it.

Original and new target audience

Target Audience: The specific group of people that the piece is originally intended to reach and appeal to, as well as any new groups it may be directed towards in subsequent productions.

Definition List

Author/Composer/Choreographer: The individuals who write, create the music for, and design the dance movements of a musical theatre piece, respectively. Mood and Style/Genre: The emotional quality and the category of art, music, or literature that the piece belongs to. Themes and Ideas: The central topics, messages, or subjects that the piece explores. Performance Space: The venue or type of venue where the piece is performed, which can affect the production's design and audience experience. Purpose: The reason behind creating the piece, which could be to entertain, educate, provoke thought, etc. Audience and Performer Relationship: The interaction and connection between those watching the piece and those performing it. Target Audience: The specific group of people that the piece is originally intended to reach and appeal to, as well as any new groups it may be directed towards in subsequent productions.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.