2009-10
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: History of Musical
Theatre & Tech / Stagecraft
GRADE LEVEL: Musical Theatre Tech &
Stagecraft students
INTRODUCTION:
1. Download and / or print a copy of the question/answer
sheets.
2. Access the websites as provided in the sections of the
question sheet.
3. Carefully read the reference material then answer the
questions inthe spaces provided.
4. Put your name and grade on the answer sheet.
STUDENT'S NAME:
_____________________________________________
GRADE: ______
OBJECTIVES:
1. To advance the student's knowledge on the history of
musical theatre & tech / stagecraft
2. To research information on the history musical theatre
& tech / stagecraft in which the student finds answers
to questions on significant developments in the history of
this theatrical genre, and, in particular, to theatre
technology.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Using the INTERNET WEBSITES LISTED IN EACH SECTION,
research the required information on Musical Theatre to
enable you to complete the information sheet.
2. Complete the assignment and hand it in to Mr. Dencer for
evaluation (Note: the information should be completed by
________________________________).
EVALUATION: This assignment will be marked
out of 75 marks and will count on the first report card
period. The value of each question in this information
search is in brackets after the question number.
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SECTION 1: WHAT IS A MUSICAL?
http://www.musicals101.com/musical.htm
1. (2) A "musical" may be defined as
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2. (3) According to the article, what are the three
essential qualities of a musical?
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3. (5) http://www.musicals101.com/stagecap.htm
Where did the musical as we know it, have its origins?
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In what decade did American musical comedy gain worldwide
influence? __________________________
Which musical was the first fully integrated musical play?
___________________________ In what ways was it "fully
integrated"?
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SECTION 2: STAGE MANAGEMENT http://upstagereview.org/StageManager.html
4. (2) name two characteristics of a good stage manager ?
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5. (2) How important does the author of this article rate
the job of stage manger?
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SECTION 3: STAGE LIGHTING http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_lighting
6. (2) What are the two main functions of stage lighting?
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7. (3) What is a gobo? What is its function?
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SECTION 4: STAGE SOUND http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixing_console
8. (3) What is the function of the sound mixer?
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9. (2) What is the function of "gain" ?
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10. (3) According to the article what kind of sound should
the sound operator hear? Why is that important?
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SECTION 5: THE CREATIVE TEAM (http://www.musicals101.com/creative.htm)
11. (14) BRIEFLY explain the function of each of these
"members" of the creative team of the musical
(a) Composer and Lyricist
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(b) Librettist
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(c) Choreographer
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(d) The designers
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(e) Orchestrator
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SECTION 6: THE ELEMENTS OF A MUSICAL
(http://www.musicals101.com/score.htm)
THE SCORE:
12.(2) What is the function of the VERSE?
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13. (2) What is the function of the CHORUS or REFRAIN?
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THE BOOK
(http://www.musicals101.com/book.htm)
14 (2) What is the book or libretto?
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15 (3) Name three functions of the musical's book
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SECTION 7:
"CATS"
"CATS" - Production Information (from
"The Rodgers & Hammerstein Theatricals" website)
CATS - The Musical(Wikipedia Article)
1. Into how many acts is the play divided? _________
2. Who wrote the lyrics? _________________________
3. Who wrote the music?
____________________________________
4. Who produced the original version of "CATS"?
___________________________
5. When did the stage adaptation of the musical first open
in New York? ______________
6. The film (Video) version was produced in the year
_________
7. What is the setting for the play? (time and place)
____________________________________________________
8.On whose book of poems was the musical based?
________________________________________________________________________
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SECTION 8: THEATRE TECH GLOSSARY http://www.theatrecrafts.com/glossary/glossary.shtml
23. (17) Write brief but clear definitions of these stage
technical terms.
(a). acting area
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(b). backdrop
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(c). masking
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(d). backstage
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(e). border (teaser)
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(f). curtain line
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(g). cyclorama
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(h). flies
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(i). grand drape
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(j). ground row
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(k). proscenium
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(l). set pieces
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(m). sight line
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(n). tormentors
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(o). call time
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(p). trucks
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(q). wings
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