Roles in Musical Theatre Director – casts show, gives actors blocking, vision of the show Choreographer – makes up and teaches the dances Musical Director – teaches music to actors and how to sing the songs Actor – people portraying the characters. Sing, act, and dance Ensemble – actors in the show that mainly dance and sing and are used to form crowds in scenes. Composer – writes the music Lyricist – writes the lyrics Playwright – writes the lines and story Stage Manager – organizes rehearsals and is in charge of the run of the show.

American Musical Theatre Musical Format Develops s Showboat is first musical with today’s format first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize, Of Thee I Sing Golden Age 1940s-1960s Oklahoma! Was written for the story not a star, which sets a trend. Rodgers & Hammerstien – influential musical theatre writing team that wrote thought-provoking plots and re-worked the musical theatre genre.

American Musical Theatre 1960s African-American influence on Broadway with shows such as Dreamgirls and The Wiz. Controversial musicals begin to arise, Hair. 1970s Old-fashioned values are brought back into the picture. A Chorus Line won a Pulitzer Prize Musicals such as Annie Stephen Sondheim – gained popularity during this time period. Wrote musicals such as Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd. He has been called the “greatest lyricist of all time.”

American Musical Theatre 1980s-1990s Musical were all about the outrageous elements. Examples: Cats, Les Miserables Pop/Rock operas Large corporation influence Examples: Lion King, Beauty and the Beast Modern Day Plots from movies and other literary works Examples: Wicked, Legally Blonde