Broadway Research Assignment

BROADWAY MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT: ____________________________________        Yanchak/Lyssy

SUMMATIVE – 100% (as detailed below)                                                                 Theater III

Objective: Students will work alone or in pairs to research one influential musical composer/lyricist and present their work to their class in a multimedia presentation of their choice. 

Note: Laptops will be available in the library during class periods on APRIL 2-4.  Students may choose to present their work in any format (Powerpoint, iMovie, research paper, etc.) but they must include audio-visual points as detailed below.  Students should plan to bring in headphones/earbuds and flashdrives as needed.  Presentations will take place beginning APRIL 7 in class (not in the library), and students will be required to transport their work from their assigned laptop to the classroom’s computer.

(It can be turned in via Student Vault!)

Biographical Information – 3% each complete detail listed

·      Birthdate/birthplace

·      Early childhood/education/college

·      Personal life (marriages, children, etc.)

·      Present day (Are they alive and working?  Have they passed on?  When?)

Historical Context – 5% each complete detail listed

• What time period (years active) was this person writing/composing in?
• What were the significant events of that time period? (Name at least three!)
• How did their work reflect upon the time period? (Explain in detail.  Was it escapist?  Satirical?)

Body of Work – 5% each complete detail listed

• A list of significant musicals/compositions
• Include photos, video clips, and audio clips from significant musicals

Associated Actors/Actresses/Other Acts (“Staples”) – 3% each complete detail listed

• Actors/Actresses cast in major roles
• Major influences in theater/music and how that has shaped their body of work

Brief Synopsis of “Opus Est” Musical – 5% each complete detail listed

• Musical title and opening date on Broadway
• Major cast/crew
• Synopsis: Beginning/middle/end
• Include photos, video clips, and audio clips to help you as you narrate

Other Criteria

• Use of photos/images throughout
  (at least 10)  - 5%
• Use of audio/video throughout

(at least 2) – 10% (Ms. Y can help download!)

• Information presented in clear, logical, chronological order – 6%
• Oral presentation shared between team members/easy to understand – 10%
• Use of at least 5 different resources

(1 must be book based) – 6%

Suggested Online Resources (you can use others!!!)

·      http://www.theatrehistory.com/links/musicals.html

·      http://www.talkinbroadway.com/

·      http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/resources.html

·      http://www.musicals101.com/

·      http://www.broadway.com

·      http://www.playbill.com

·      http://www.ibdb.com

Broadway Musicals - Notes

Broadway musicals - Parts 1, 2, and 3 from M Y

Commedia and Modern Comedy Notes

Homework due 2/19: Watch 30-60 minutes of a comedic television program.  Make a list of the comedic elements used and in what way they were used.  (50%)  In a short paragraph, explain what you found funny and why (or what wasn't funny to you and why). (50%)

Play Analysis Guidelines: Semester Exam

Theatre III/IV Final Exam Analysis

This analysis should be completed based on your full-length play, which you have read in its entirety.  The following are things that must be included in your analysis.  You may include other things if you would like. 

Your analysis should be written using complete sentences.  You may break it down by outline category or write it as an essay.

Analysis is due on your final exam day, Friday.

I.               General Questions (10 points)

a.     Title of Play

b.     Author’s name, date of birth/death

c.     Year written

d.     When does the action take place

                                               i.     Year

                                             ii.     Season

                                            iii.     Time of day

e.     List any significant events of the time period that relate to the play

*What bearing does the above information have on the content or style of the play?

II.              Plot Analysis (20 points)

a.     What is the primary story?

b.     What sub-stories exist?

c.     What type of play is this?  (Tragedy, comedy, farce, etc.)

d.     Is there a “message” in the play?  Explain

e.     Is there any symbolism in the play?  Explain.

III.            Dialogue (15 points)

a.     Describe the playwright’s choice of dialogue.  Consider the following examples:            

                                               i.     Sentence structure

                                             ii.     Use of slang/jargon

                                            iii.     Phrases or words used frequently in the dialogue as a whole or by a main character

                                            iv.     Dialect or words specific to a region or group

IV.            Characters (20 points)

a.     Consider each of the major characters using the following criteria:

                                               i.     What do they want?

                                             ii.     What is their moral stance?

                                            iii.     Physical appearance

                                            iv.     Use at least 5 adjectives to describe each character

                                              v.     What is the character’s purpose in the play?  Is it “their” play or are they merely a facilitator?

V.              Ideas in the play (20 points)

a.     Meaning of the title

b.     Philosophical statements in the play

c.     Use of symbolism

VI.             Your reactions to the play  (15 points)

a.     How did the play make you feel?  (This is not a like/dislike statement)

b.     Did it make you think of yourself or the world around you differently?

c.     Do you think the playwright was trying to get you to think about the world in any particular way?

d.     Do you think the primary purpose of this play was “just” entertainment, or do you think the playwright had other things in mind? 

e. Do you think the playwright wanted the reader/audience to react in a particular way?

Creative Drama: Week of 9/16

Welcome to Theater Arts III! (Week of September 9)

(FYI: The info on our creative drama project is intentionally vague, as we don't want the students to discover information ahead of their classmates.  This project is process-driven, and everyone needs to be on the same page of the process in order for it to work!)


Monday 9/9: 

• Topic: Creative Drama
• Share: "They say that" statements
• Plan: Children's Theater stories for your island

Tuesday 9/10:

• Topic: Creative Drama
• Rehearse: Children's Theater stories
• Perform: Children's Theater stories

Wednesday 9/11:

• Topic: Creative Drama
• Activities TBA (meetings in auditorium by class with Mr. D)

Thursday 9/12:

• Topic: Creative Drama
• Discover: The Next Step/Where are you on the Spectrum?
• Letter Writing to your Island's Representative

Friday 9/13:

• Topic: Creative Drama
• Spectrum Review
• The Story Continues....
  

ELLISON DRAMA NEWS:
Auditions for "Guys & Dolls" on 9/10, 9/11, and 9/12 after school.
Sign up at the Black Box.

Play Analysis: Final Exam

Theater III/IV Final Exam Play Analysis

This analysis should be completed based on your full-length play (or the longer of the two).  The following are things that must be included in your analysis.  You may include other things if you would like. 

Your analysis should be written using complete sentences.  You may break it down by category if you would like.

Analysis is due May 29^th.

I.               General Questions (10%)

a.     Title of Play

b.     Author’s name, date of birth/death

c.     Year written

d.     When does the action take place

                                               i.     Year

                                             ii.     Season

                                            iii.     Time of day

e.     List any significant events of the time period that relate to the play

*What bearing does the above information have on the content or style of the play?

II.              Plot Analysis (20%)

a.     What is the primary story?

b.     What sub-stories exist?

c.     What type of play is this?  (Tragedy, comedy, farce, etc.)

d.     Is there a “message” in the play?  Explain

e.     Is there any symbolism in the play?  Explain.

III.            Dialogue (15%)

a.     Describe the playwright’s choice of dialogue.  Consider the following examples:                 

                                               i.     Sentence structure

                                             ii.     Use of slang/jargon

                                            iii.     Phrases or words used frequently in the dialogue as a whole or by a main character

                                            iv.     Dialect or words specific to a region or group

IV.            Characters (20%)

a.     Consider each of the major characters using the following criteria:

                                               i.     What do they want?

                                             ii.     What is their moral stance?

                                            iii.     Physical appearance

                                            iv.     Use at least 5 adjectives to describe each character

                                              v.     What is the character’s purpose in the play?  Is it “their” play or are they merely a facilitator?

V.              Ideas in the play (20%)

a.     Meaning of the title

b.     Philosophical statements in the play

c.     Use of symbolism

VI.             Your reactions to the play (15%)

a.     How did the play make you feel?  (This is not a like/dislike statement)

b.     Did it make you think of yourself or the world around you differently?

c.     Do you think the playwright was trying to get you to think about the world in any particular way?

d.     Do you think the primary purpose of this play was “just” entertainment, or do you think the playwright had other things in mind?

e.     Do you think the playwright wanted the reader/audience to react in a particular way?

Morality Play Project: Synopsis

Theater 3 information is on the right under "period 2."

TEST NEXT WEEK on MEDIEVAL THEATER!

Medieval Theater

Medieval Theater from M Y

Tools for Theater: Aug 27 - Sept 4

Make sure to keep your "tool boxes" in your binders!  What tools are we going to need this year???

Welcome to Theater Arts III 2012-2013!

Welcome to the home of Ms. Yanchak's Ellison Theater Arts classes on the INTERWEBS!

This site serves as the home of Theater Arts III!

Take a peek up at the top there for your course (Theater 2, 3, and 4 are listed) and click on your course to discover all the information you'll need.  

Either way, please be patient.  These sites are being updated frequently as the school year looms ever larger in the distance!

If you're interested in being involved in our after school productions (via Ellison's Drama Club), please be sure to check out:

FACEBOOK and TWITTER!

If you have specific questions about CLASS, please email Ms. Yanchak directly.  Her email address can be found here.

If you have any questions about Ellison Drama (after school productions), check out Facebook, Twitter or email us directly at ellisondrama@gmail.com.

Also, feel free to text or leave a message on the Ellison Drama Hotline: (254) 230-9560.  Make sure to leave your NAME and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!

This Week in Theater III/IV: 1/31-2/3

Tues 1/31: Performance Evaluations (SUMMATIVE)

Wed 2/1: DonorsChoose.org thank you letters

Thurs 2/2: DonorsChoose.org photo op

Fri 2/3: Improv Day

This Week in Theater III/IV: 1/17-1/20

1/17: Complete blocking for 1/27's Children's Theater performance

1/18-1/20: Run throughs.  Line memorization.  Costume and prop work!

PERFORMANCE ON FRIDAY, 1/27.  REPORT TO AUDITORIUM NO LATER THAN 8:45am.  PERFORMANCE BEGINS AT 9:45am!

This Week in Theater III: 1/9 - 1/13

1/9 - Script distribution

1/10 - Walk-through

1/11 - Complete walk through; begin blocking (take notes!)

1/12 - Blocking. (Take notes!)

1/13 - Blocking. (Take notes!)

PERFORMANCE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 at 9:30am.  CALL TIME IS 8:45am at the AUDITORIUM.  You will report to 4th period (or lunch) at the end of our performance. :-)

This Week in Theater III: 1/2 - 1/6

1/2 - 1/3: Shakespeare Fun with Reduced Shakespeare Company

1/4-1/6: Production Prep for January 27 Children's Theater Performance
(Note: Performance will be held on Friday, January 27 during the school day in the MORNING HOURS.  Please let Ms. Y or Ms. Lyssy know in advance if you have conflicts on this date.)

Read through on 1/4.

Semester Exam: Given Circumstances

Name:______________________________

GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES WORKSHEET

Play:____________________________________

Character:____________________________________

BE SPECIFIC.  ONE WORD AND ONE SENTENCE ANSWERS ARE UNACCEPTABLE.

1. What do I know about my character?: (Name, Age, Family Unit, Social Class)

2. Where am I? (America, Canada, City, Small Town)

3. What is my specific location? (House, playground, Department Store)

4. What year is it? Is the year significant?

5. What relationships do I have? (Describe them)

6. Who are you talking to?  What is your relationship to that character?

7. What do you want?

8. Why do you want it?

9. How will you get it?

10. Why do you want it now?

11. What will happen if you don’t get it?

12. What will happen if you don’t get it now?

13. What is in your way?

14. What must you overcome?