Task #3
Broadway Refocused’s Host Explains Task #3
This week you will be creating an: "Artistic Concept Statement” for your chosen revival
This will be a tool that you can give investors and producers to help educate them about your concept and vision for your revival. This will help them understand any updates to the script/songs, diversifying casting choices, thematic emphasis or updates, connections to non-profits or community groups and most importantly: why the story needs to be told in 2020.
Updated Assignments for Unit #3:
3.1 Read the full libretto of your musical
3.2 Continue the Research of your chosen revival through watching videos you can find online, and reading about how/why the show was written
3.3 Read the curriculum below to understand how to create an “Artistic Concept Statement”
3.4 Read Blog Post: “Five Important Stories about South Pacific You Didn’t Know,” and respond in the comments about one of stories and why you think it’s an important story to tell
3.5 Create your “Artistic Concept Statement”
3.6 Present your “Artistic Concept Statement” to a musical theatre professional for discussion and feedback.
3.7 Unit 3 Quiz on South Pacific
Information about 3.5:
Create your "Artistic Concept Statement" presentation to present this to a musical theatre professional: Drew Wutke. You will basically synthesize your past assignments to create this presentation
First, sign up for an appointment here.
You will be creating a Google Slides Presentation / Prezi / Powerpoint that you will present to Drew.
Slide #1: Name of musical, with book/lyricist/composer - when it was on Broadway originally
Slide #2: Your Artistic Concept Statement -- this will be 3-4 sentences that really gets to the vision of your piece. It could include emphasis on your themes, inclusivity/diversity efforts, and possible connections to non-profits/community based projects
Slide #3: Give some background on your musical -- the story (mentioning how you are going to update it if you are), character updates, song updates
Slide #4: Why/How was the show originally written? Please include important things to note (first revival, never been on Broadway, has had multiple revisals)
Slide #5: Possible Creative Team and or Casting Ideas -- thinking about how that supports your overall vision
Slide #6: Imagery -- using images, please show the tone/look/feel of the show
Slide #7: Answer this question: Why is the revival important to tell in 2020? (Add images, if needed/wanted)
This presentation should be pre-recorded and be around 5-7 minutes. After the presentation, you can add anything you would like, and then you will then do a question/answer period with Drew for 12-ish minutes.
Creating the Director’s Vision by Lindsay Price
Why is it important to have a vision?
A vision gives the play a drive, a look, a tone.
A vision creates a unifying factor—something that can be communicated not just through the text but through staging, lights, sets, sound, and costume.
A vision helps students focus on the bigger picture. It’s more than learning lines and blocking.
A vision gives a director purpose; it’s the creative element the director brings to the table.
Reimagining Musicals
Director/Choreographer Rob Ashford, President and Executive Director of Rodgers & Hammerstein Ted Chapin and Director Scott Ellis talk with moderator Patrick Pacheco about re-imagining musicals for the stage and how directors approach a work to make it fresh and reinvented, how much change is allowed by the estates who control the pieces, and the challenges they face when classic works are re-imagined, rewritten or reinterpreted in any way.
She Loves Me: 25 mins
South Pacific: 33 mins
Ideas of Revisals: 53 mins
“A careful reading of the play might reveal these or other themes, but the director will decide what to prioritize and how to express those priorities.”
Jerry C. Jaffe - Thoughts on Theatre: A director’s vision
“The overall look and feel of a show is called the director’s vision or concept. How do you want your show to look, feel, sound, smell? Can you summarize your vision in one sentence? This vision will help you convey your ideas to your cast and crew, as well as your audience. All your artistic choices must advance your vision.”
Director: Michael Arden on Once On This Island
Listen to Michael Arden’s vision on the Broadway Revival of Once On This Island in 2017.
What do you think about his vision?
How did Michael Arden get the rights to Once On This Island?
Artistic Director: Peter Rothstein’s Vision for Aida
Listen to Peter Rothstein’s vision for Theatre Latte Da’s production of Aida.
What do you think about his vision?
What questions are missing?