Musical Theater Things to Consider – Ellen Squier

Choosing a Show Two Guiding Principles : 1) Make the students and your colleagues sound and look as good as possible. 2) Be as true as you can the author’s original version Resources: Peter Filichia's Let's Put on a Musical: How to Choose the Right Show For Your Theater lists shows by the needs filled. Determine YOUR needs/limitations: Chorus Principal Audience Ability of pit musicians Budget Facilities and Materials

Logistics Secure performance rights at least 6-8 months in advance. Plan a realistic Budget School Budget Fundraisers Ticket Sales Publicity

Casting Audition Workshops – educate the students Audition – Song, dance, acting Callbacks – chemistry between characters Negotiation – Music Director, Director, Choreographer

Production Team Producer – Business/organization details Director – Final say on stage action Assistant Director Musical Director Choreographer Set Designer Costume Designer/coordinator Lighting Designer/manager Sound Designer/manger Stage Manager – calls lines, oversees backstage Stage Crew Publicity Coordinator

Rehearsals Scheduling When and Where Block the show High Expectations of commitment/work Tech Rehearsal Final Dress

Pit Orchestra Determine needs/skills required Volunteers/paid musicians Acoustics – size of orchestra

Other Concerns For me it's casting. Besides choosing the right people for the roles, you hope that you create a cast that grows together, that becomes a family of sorts. You can try to facilitate that as a leader, but your dealing with unique individuals with unique personalities and unique egos. You also hope that people will be committed to the process. Some things you can only just trust the Lord to provide. – Steven Condy Camaraderie and team work or team spirit is extremely important. Hopefully you DO become a family and grow together!!! The audience can sense the difference, too, if the people onstage really care for one another. – Robin Massie

Resources Books: Peter Filichia's Let's Put on a Musical: How to Choose the Right Show For Your Theater Broadway Musicals, Show by Show by Stanley Green Websites: Music Directing the School Musical Educational Theatre Association The Cappies The National High School Musical Theatre Awards

Works Cited Notes from seminar – Peter Hilliard Interviews – Steven Condy and Robin Massie "Musicals101.com - The Cyber Encyclopedia of Musicals." The Cyber Encyclopedia of Musicals. Web. 01 May