Directing A Musical Ashley Hill Reid Primary/Middle School

My Situation Reid School Reid School Grades 1-8, 600 students Grades 1-8, 600 students 1-7 General Music, 5-8 Choir 1-7 General Music, 5-8 Choir Also offer 3-8 string program, 5-8 band Also offer 3-8 string program, 5-8 band Musical is open to all students in 5-8 Musical is open to all students in 5-8 After school rehearsals, between winter and spring sports seasons (Feb-March) After school rehearsals, between winter and spring sports seasons (Feb-March) Two evening performances, two school day performances Two evening performances, two school day performances

Choosing a Musical Music Theatre International Music Theatre International Broadway Junior Broadway Junior Kids Collection Kids Collection G2K Collection G2K Collection Cinderella The King and I Oklahoma! Once Upon a Mattress

Auditions Two day audition process Two day audition process Day 1 - Explain expectations and prepare students for audition process Day 1 - Explain expectations and prepare students for audition process Day 2 - Small group auditions Day 2 - Small group auditions Use a panel of judges, with director making final decision Use a panel of judges, with director making final decision Consider vocal ability/range and acting ability together Consider vocal ability/range and acting ability together

Rehearsal Schedule THINK AHEAD, PLAN AHEAD THINK AHEAD, PLAN AHEAD Publish your schedule Publish your schedule Consider other activities (sports, lessons, other extra-curriculars) Consider other activities (sports, lessons, other extra-curriculars) When having full cast rehearsals, use adult volunteers to help with supervision When having full cast rehearsals, use adult volunteers to help with supervision

Rehearsals Full cast read-through/listen through Full cast read-through/listen through Music rehearsals with full cast Music rehearsals with full cast Music rehearsals with leads Music rehearsals with leads Staging rehearsals with leads Staging rehearsals with leads Staging rehearsals with full cast and/or large groups Staging rehearsals with full cast and/or large groups Full cast Full cast Full cast and crew Full cast and crew

Rehearsals Week of performance Week of performance Tech rehearsal Tech rehearsal Create microphone maps and scenery maps Create microphone maps and scenery maps POST THESE BACKSTAGE!!! POST THESE BACKSTAGE!!! Allow for many stops (maybe even two rehearsals) Allow for many stops (maybe even two rehearsals) Dress rehearsals Dress rehearsals Don’t stop the performance unless absolutely necessary Don’t stop the performance unless absolutely necessary Take notes to share with cast at end of rehearsal Take notes to share with cast at end of rehearsal Allow cast to watch? Allow cast to watch? Allow small groups to watch? Allow small groups to watch?

Scenery and Set Design Use your resources Use your resources Local businesses Local businesses Other teachers Other teachers Parent volunteers Parent volunteers Be creative with space Be creative with space Create a set/scenery change map Create a set/scenery change map Choose stage crew with care!! Choose stage crew with care!!

Costumes Local thrift and second hand stores Local thrift and second hand stores Catalogs Catalogs Theater House Theater House Music in Motion Music in Motion Donations from community members Donations from community members Local theater organizations Local theater organizations Springfield Arts Council Springfield Arts Council Your Closet!!!! Your Closet!!!!

Odds and Ends Accompaniment/Pit Orchestra Accompaniment/Pit Orchestra Advertising Advertising Programs Programs Fundraising Fundraising Curtain call Curtain call Create a list and post backstage, then practice Create a list and post backstage, then practice Recording Recording

Performance Use adult volunteers for hair and makeup, and for supervision while offstage Use adult volunteers for hair and makeup, and for supervision while offstage Create the illusion – don’t allow cast to be seen in costume/makeup until after the performance Create the illusion – don’t allow cast to be seen in costume/makeup until after the performance Enjoy the result of all your hard work!! Enjoy the result of all your hard work!!