Legacy Academy Theatre Department: September 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Tap

Tap Combinations

Back Essence: spnk R stp RXBOL
sd spnk L
stp L stp R

Shim Sham Shimmy: stomp R spnk stp
stomp L spnk stp
stomp R spnk Bch R-L
stomp R spnk stp
Rev
Rep end w Bdig
Break:

Tap dictionary

Ball Change: Transfer your weight onto the ball of one foot then slightly lift the other to take the
weight. Can be done back, forward, or to the side. (Bch)

Ball Tap: With the toe up strike the ball of the foot to the floor. (Btap)

Dig Ball: With knee flexed strike the ball to the floor. This movement may or may not take
weight. (Bdig)

Flap: Forward brush step. (fl)

Forward Brush: With the knee in a flexed position strike the ball against the floor. The leg raises
in the air until the knee is straight. A one-sound kicking movement. (brfwd)

Heel Dig: Strike the back edge of the heel forward, to the floor, with the toe raised. (hlDg)

Heel Drop: A forceful dropping of the heel to the floor. (hlDrp)

Heel Scuff: A heel executed like a forward brush. The back edge of the heel strikes the heel in a
pendulum movement. (scuff)

Shuffle: A forward brush followed by a spank. (sh)

Spank: With the knee in a flexed position strike the ball against the floor. (spnk)

Stomp: Strike the floor with the entire flat of the foot; this movement doesn’t take weight. (stomp)

Toe Drop: With the weight on the heel (toe up), force the ball of the foot to the floor. (toeDrp)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Question Your Character

Role Scoring Questions

1. How does the title of the play relate to your character?

2. What is your character’s main sense of urgency? What strong impulse motivates your
character to act?

3. If your character has a secret what is it?

4. What rhythm might you associate with your character? What type of music or song is
your character most like?

5. What sound might you associate with character? (Sighing, wheezing, and grunting are
some examples)

6. What is your character’s master gesture? (a distinctive action that servers as a clue to
a character’s personality)

7. What is your character’s leading center? (The head? The heart? The stomach?)

8. What color might you associate with your character? Why?

9. What object might you associate with your character? Why?

10. What animal might you associate with your character? Why?

11. What are your character’s two primary senses?

12. Does your character “mask”, or cover up, feelings and behaviors? If so, what does
your character mask?

13. Does your character have a sense of humor? Is this sense of humor used in a positive
or negative way?

14. In real life, would you be your character’s friend? Why or why not?

15. What is your character’s most positive trait?

16. What is your character’s status in the world? Does your character have money and
power?

17. What are your character’s major wants and desires?

18. What is your character’s major objective for each scene in which he or she appears?

19. How does your character go about achieving those objectives?

20. What is your character’s life objective?

21. How does your character go about achieving his or her life objectives?

22. Has your character changed by the end of the play? If so, in what ways?

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Critique for Musical Theatre Classes

Critique Format

Musical Theatre Course

Directions: Follow the format given below for all critiques of theatrical performances. You must use 12 point font and double-space your critique. Attach a copy of the program or the ticket stub. Turn in your critique no later than ten days after seeing the performance.

Paragraph One: Lead In
This paragraph should introduce your show in an interesting and engaging way. You could start with a zinger or a catchy one-sentence grabber that plays off the production. Or you could use the dramatic describer, which tells about an interesting moment in the production. You need to italicize the title of the show or put it in quotes.

Paragraph Two: The Story
This paragraph should include two to three well-crafted sentences that cover the major plot points. Mention key characters, settings and timeframes as well as what happened. You should also include information about the history of the show as well as any awards that it may have received.

Paragraph Three: The Overall Production
Make some broad observations in this paragraph about the concept, the cast’s energy, what production element anchored the show or technical elements. Write three to four sentences about the show’s successes or failures.

Paragraph Four: The Leads
This paragraph should include information about the lead actors and actresses in the show. You could mention their commitment, accent, physicality, singing and dancing ability. Remember not just to say that something was good. Say how and why it was good.

Paragraph Five: The Supporting Characters and Ensemble
This paragraph should include information about the supporting characters and ensemble in the show. How do they help or hinder the telling of the story? What did they do that was successful?

Paragraph Six: Tech
Pick two or three of the following technical elements to discuss in this paragraph: sets, costumes, lights, sound, props and effects, stage crew, and makeup. Explain why they were successful or problematic in telling the story.

Paragraph Seven: Closer
Sum up the show and what you thought about it. Make sure to use appropriate colorful language.

Theater Play Report

PLAY CRITIQUE SHEET for Beginning Theatre

Requirements:
· Your review must be a minimum of 1-2 typed pages, double spaced, in 12 point font. Please proof read your paper for spelling and grammatical errors!
· You must include information about where and when you saw the show in your paragraph of introduction.
· You must include a program and ticket stub or a parent signature on your paper saying that you did indeed see the performance on that date.
· In order to be a THEATRE PRODUCTION you must see a live theatrical performance with actors. You must see the play during the current term and turn in your critique within 10 days of seeing the production. All of the following count as THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: school plays, church plays, community theatre plays, improvisation showcases, and professional plays or musicals.

What do I write about?
Paragraph 1:
· Title of the show and the date that you saw the show (Make sure to italicize the title)
· Write a brief summary of the plot (Only two to three sentences)
Paragraph 2:
· Did I like this production? Why or why not?
· Was there a particular performer that did an outstanding job? Why?
· What did I observe about the directing? Could I see and hear everything? Were the actors interesting to watch on stage?
Paragraph 3:
· Did the costumes and make-up help to set the time and place of the play?
· Was the set realistic, detailed, or interesting to look at? Was it a stationary set or did it change?
· Did lights and sound create a certain kind of mood? What was it?
Paragraph 4:
· Was there a particularly powerful scene or song? What made it entertaining?
· Would you recommend this to other students? Why or why not?

Remember, you need to create a picture of what you saw so we can live through your words. Talk in specifics and examples!