Introduction to Musical Theatre

Which musical does this logo represent?

What musical does this logo represent? And what is the name of the character in the logo?

What musical does the picture represent?

Who is this man?

If in the United States of America

its called a Tony award,
in the United Kingdom its called an

What musical does this

scene come from?
And what is the name of
Lea Salongas
character?

What is musical theatre?

-Form of theatre that combines
songs, acting and dance.

What is musical theatre?

-Form of theatre that combines
songs, acting and dance.
-Usually composed 2 Acts

A theatrical performance that tells the story through

the medium of song, most usually intergrating the
elements of spoken dialogue and dance.
(Harvard 2013: 2014)

Musicals vs. Operas

S. Sondheim- genre categorized venue

Language
Sound (Amplified vs. Acoustic)
Dialogue (Spoken vs. Sung)
Style

Th

What is the difference between musicals and straight plays?

Th

What is the difference between musicals and straight plays?

MIMESIS

Th

What is the difference between musicals and straight plays?

MIMESIS
-The musical material is external to the narrative
-Character is not aware that they are singing

Th

What is the difference between musicals and straight plays?

MIMESIS
-The musical material is external to the narrative
-Character is not aware that they are singing
DIAGESIS

Th

What is the difference between musicals and straight plays?

MIMESIS
-The musical material is external to the narrative
-Character is not aware that they are singing
DIAGESIS
Song occurs literally in the plot
-Character is aware that they are singing

What are the classifications of musicals?

What are the classifications of musicals?

Classical Musicals
Modern Musicals
(1950s)

Types of musicals

MEGA MUSICALS

A musical franchise
Widely commercial
Spectacle heavy
Predicted most likely to see healthy profit
Ex. Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera,
Wicked, Cats

Why does a character in musical theatre

sing or dance?

 Heightened Expression
Realization
Decision
Confession
-I AM... (persona character, a group of characters, or a
situation)
-I Want(desire, what motivates them)

 Heightened Expression
Realization
Decision
Confession
-I AM... (persona character, a group of characters, or a
situation)
-I Want(desire, what motivates them)

SINGING OF INNER THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

SOLILOQUY SONGS
as a way of externalizing the internal thought process of the
character (Harvard 2013:185)
-Extended and Externalized

SOLILOQUY SONGS
a way of externalizing the internal thought process of the
character (Harvard 2013:185).
-Extended and Externalized
-voluntary revelation of the characters innermost thoughts
through song
-verbally articulate a characters thought process in real-time;
the character is alone and is supposed to be singing at the
speed of thought.

Fundamentals in approaching a soliloquy song

1. Who am I talking to/ singing to?

SELF
ABSENT CHARACTER
HIGHER POWER
NATURAL PHENOMENON
IMAGINARY OR PERSONIFIED CHARACTER
AUDIENCE

Fundamentals in approaching a soliloquy song

1. Who am I talking to/ singing to?

SELF
ABSENT CHARACTER
HIGHER POWER
NATURAL PHENOMENON
IMAGINARY OR PERSONIFIED CHARACTER
AUDIENCE

PLAY YOUR OBJECTIVE ON WHOMEVER OR

WHATEVER YOU ARE TALKING TO

- what you see should be responsive and evershifting in your imagination.

2. Where is your character as he/she sings?

From Scene to Song

-moment of transition, shift in language of performance is earned.
-something has to build-up
1. Build your vocal energy even in dialogue
2. Identify the psychological trigger
(emotional response or unexpected event)
3. Intensify your internal and external
tempo/rhythm as the song approaches
4. Breathe in pitch and according to your internal rhythm as your character
5A. Begin by singing in Speech quality
5B. Begin by singing quietly and sweetly

G.O.T.O.
GOAL
OBSTACLE
TACTIC
OUTCOME