WHAT IS A MUSICAL?
In a musical the person who writes the music is called the composer and the creator of the words to the songs is called the lyricist. Lyrics are words which are set to music and help in the telling of the story. Song lyrics are often set to poetry of some sort and sung by a singer and/or singers. The combination of lyrics and music are often used in the musical to convey deep feelings in the story that the dialogue cannot express. The dialogue is used to move the action of the story forward.
Dance is a planned organization of movement to beats and rhythms by a performer. It is used to set the mood and also convey strong emotional feelings when added to the music or song in a story. Choreographers are responsible for planning the organization of the dance steps that go with the music.
There are other important elements involved, provided by special technicians, in producing a musical to be performed. Some of them are costuming, lighting, staging (props), audio (amplification), and make-up/hair. A creative team of people are responsible for the overall interpretation of the musical. They oversee and coordinate all the technicians as well as the performers (actors, singers, dancers, musicians). The people who make up this creative team consist of the director, musical director (often the orchestra conductor), and the choreographer.
As in other art forms, the musical consists of an overall format having a beginning, middle, and end. The main body of the work is divided into sections (like the way chapters function in a book). In musical theatre the main sections of the musical are called acts and typically there are two of them with an intermission of approximately 20 minutes in length in-between. The first act of a musical is usually longer than the second act because the first act is where most of the music and main song tunes are first introduced to later be reprised or brought back in the telling of the story. Also, certain melodies in the music are often associated with particular characters so the music needs to be introduced as those characters enter the story.
INTRODUCTION TO THE MUSICAL:
WHAT IS A MUSICAL?
QUESTIONS
01. The main body of a work is divided into sections (like chapters function in a book). In
musical theater what are their main sections called?
02. Where does the music come from?
03. What is dance and why is it an important element of the musical format?
04. What are lyrics and who creates them?
05. What is a song?
06. The first act of a musical is usually longer than the second act. Why is that?
07. Where does the story for the musical come from?
08. What is the purpose of dialogue in the function of a musical?
09. What is a musical?
10. What is the name of the person who creates the dance movements for the musical?
11. There are 3 main components that make up the musical. What are they?
12. Songs are important in a musical play. What is their function?
13. A creative team of people are responsible for the overall interpretation of the musical. They oversee and coordinate all the technicians as well as the performers (actors, singers,dancers, musicians). Can you name who the people who make up this creative team?
14. What is the role history plays in the creation of the story in a musical?
15. There are other important elements involved, provided by special technicians, in
producing a musical to be performed. Can you name some?
02. Where does the music come from?
03. What is dance and why is it an important element of the musical format?
04. What are lyrics and who creates them?
05. What is a song?
06. The first act of a musical is usually longer than the second act. Why is that?
07. Where does the story for the musical come from?
08. What is the purpose of dialogue in the function of a musical?
09. What is a musical?
10. What is the name of the person who creates the dance movements for the musical?
11. There are 3 main components that make up the musical. What are they?
12. Songs are important in a musical play. What is their function?
13. A creative team of people are responsible for the overall interpretation of the musical. They oversee and coordinate all the technicians as well as the performers (actors, singers,dancers, musicians). Can you name who the people who make up this creative team?
14. What is the role history plays in the creation of the story in a musical?
15. There are other important elements involved, provided by special technicians, in
producing a musical to be performed. Can you name some?
