The Little Mermaid

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July 29—August 3, 2014 Rated GG

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3 NC Theatre: Your Broadway Connection

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North Carolina Theatre is Raleigh’s regional professional musical theatre company. In 1983 Raleigh's City Manager, Mr. L.P. Zachary, invited Carolina Regional Theatre, with the deft direction of De Ann Jones, to make its permanent home in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium under contract with the City. The Theatre debuted with the musical Camelot in Spring of the following year. Opening with 825 season tickets sold and a total audience of 24,000, Camelot marked the beginning of the Theatre's new direction. With this new direction as inspiration, in May of 1984 the name was changed to North Carolina Theatre. Today, North Carolina Theatre serves as the home of quality musical theatre production in central North Carolina.

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4 PreviewPreview

Show Information 6 Artist Bios 10 Show Activities 13 The Theatre: NCT and Beyond 18

Coming Up: One Sensational Season!

A Chorus Line PG-13 October 14-19, 2014

Nice Work If You Can Get It January 20-25, 2015 PG

Billy Elliot: the Musical February 10-15, 2015 PG -13

Peter and the Star Catcher March 10-15, 2015 PG

Next to Normal May 1-10, 2015 PG -13

The Buddy Holly Story July 21-26, 2015 PG

5 Content

Disney’s The Little Mermaid was originally based off the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name, and was later made into an animated film and now a stage musical. The musical is the story of a young mermaid, Ariel, and her dream of experiencing life on land. She falls in love with a handsome prince, and makes a deal with the sea witch to be with him. Ariel must win over the prince before her time on land runs out, or she will lose everything she once had.

Characters

Ariel: King Triton’s youngest daughter

King Triton: King of the sea

Sebastian: advisor to King Triton

Flounder: Ariel’s best friend

Scuttle: expert in human artifacts Parental Guidelines Prince Eric: a human monarch DRAFT Rated G Grimsby: guardian of the Prince Violence: Murder is addressed through song, one scene where Chef Louis at- Ursula: the sea witch, sister of King Triton tacks Sebastian Flotsam & Jetsam: Ursula’s henchmen Language: the word “damn” is used in one instance Windward & leeward: heralds in King Triton’s Drugs/Alcohol: N/A court Sexual Content: N/A Chef Louis: the palace chef

Princesses: potential mates for Prince Eric

6 Synopsis

Act I den. Ariel rushes off, upset, and King Triton as- signs Sebastian, whom Ariel made a laugh- The story opens with Prince Eric, his adviser ingstock because of her absence at the con- Grimsby, and sailors aboard a ship at sea, dis- cert, to watch over Ariel and make sure she cussing the "mythical" merfolk that supposedly doesn't get into any trouble. Ariel sits alone in live under the sea. Grimsby tries to tell Eric that her grotto, which contains her collection of hu- he must return to court to fulfill his birthright as man things, and sings about how she does not king. However, Eric hears a beautiful voice and believe humans are so bad ("Part of Your commands it to be followed ("Fathoms Below"). World"). Deep on the ocean floor in the merfolk's king- Ariel and Flounder meet Scuttle at the surface dom, a concert in honor of a defeated coup d'é- to see Prince Eric's ship and the people on it up tat by Ursula is underway, being performed by close. Grimsby tries to reason with Eric telling the daughters of Triton the sea king. King Tri- him he must find a bride and take his place as ton's court composer, Sebastian has composed king. A storm suddenly hits, and Eric is tossed a song for his seven girls to perform overboard. He almost drowns, but Ariel saves ("Daughters of Triton"). However, the youngest him and drags him to shore. Ariel realizes that mermaid princess, Ariel, is not there for her so- she is falling in love with him, and vows to lo, bringing the concert to a grinding halt. Ariel somehow find a way to be with him ("Part of has forgotten about the concert entirely, and is Your World (Reprise)"). swimming around the surface, admiring her new found item, a fork. She reveals that she is Ariel returns to her underwater home, and her fascinated with the human world ("The World changed behavior makes her sisters and Above"). Together with her best friend Floun- Flounder suspect that she's fallen in love der, Ariel visits Scuttle and his fellow seagulls ("She's in Love"). On land, Eric is determined to to ask about the human things she's collected, the find the woman who saved his life, but the and he explains them somewhat erroneously only clue he has is "Her Voice". He and Grims- ("Human Stuff"). by come up with the idea of holding a ball where foreign princesses will sing to him in Elsewhere, the sea witch Ursula is planning re- hopes that one will be the girl for whom he is venge against her brother, King Triton. She ex- looking. plains that she was banished from the palace because she used black magic, and tells her King Triton learns that Ariel has saved a hu- minions Flotsam and Jetsam to keep an eye on man, and confronts her about what happened her lovely young niece, whom she thinks will be to her mother ("The World Above (Reprise)"). the key to getting the crown and trident ("I Want As Ariel and Triton quarrel, Triton uses his tri- the Good Times Back"). dent to destroy Ariel's human collection. Sebas- tian arrives and tries to comfort Ariel. When Ariel returns home, she is berated by King Triton, who is angered to learn that she with Sebastian for slipping out the truth to her has been on the surface again as contact be- father, Ariel decides to run away. Sebastian tween the merfolk and human world is forbid- tries reason with Ariel by pointing out the won- 7 Synopsis (cont.) ders of the undersea world ("Under the Sea"). to the palace ("Beyond My Wildest Dreams"). As all the sea creatures join in the jamboree, That night Chef Louis cooks dinner for Ariel, Ariel swims away with Flounder. As she tries to Grimsby, and Eric. He almost cooks Sebastian run away, she is stopped by Flotsam and Jet- for the grand finale, but he manages to escape sam. They sweet talk her into seeking help as Louis, the other chefs, and the maids start from Ursula ("Sweet Child"). chasing after him ("Les Poissons"/"Les Pois- Ariel goes to Ursula, who presents a deal: Ariel sons (Reprise)"). Later, Eric takes Ariel to the will be turned into a human for three days, dur- ballroom and teaches her to dance ("One Step ing which she has to get the kiss of true love Closer"). Meanwhile, Ursula is anxiously from Eric. If she does, she will be human per- waiting for the three days to end and sends manently; if not, her soul will belong to Ursula Flotsam and Jetsam to hurry things along ("I and she will spend eternity in her "watery hell Want The Good Times Back (Reprise)"). soaked lair." As payment for the deal, Ariel will The next evening, after taking Ariel on a tour of have to give up her voice, which would stay the kingdom, Eric takes Ariel on a quiet boat safe in Ursula's magic shell. Ariel is unsure ride through a lagoon. Sebastian and Scuttle about this because of her father telling her that the shell was the fragile life source of Ursula's witchcraft. However, Ursula says it is some- thing she carries stuff inside ("Poor Unfortunate Souls"). Ariel signs the agreement with the ink from her aunt's tentacles. She sings into the shell and swims up to the surface. During this time, Ursula's spell takes effect, and Ariel is transformed into a human. Act II Sebastian and Flounder bring Ariel, newly human and mute, to the shore. Scuttle and the seagulls give her a pep talk to bring her spirits up and get her used to her new legs ("Positoovity"). Thinking Ariel is being attacked by seagulls, Eric chases them off. When Ariel tries to speak with him, she realizes she cannot talk. Eric brings Ariel back to his palace, where the head mistress, Carlotta and the maids bathe and dress Ariel nicely for her night out with the prince. Ariel is fascinated by the human world she finds herself in and the maids Jessica Grové as Ariel in Theatre Under The Stars’ production wonder why Prince Eric would bring such a girl of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” Photo by Bruce Bennett

watch anxiously, waiting for them to kiss. Se- Triton with a wave of the trident. Eric's ship ar- bastian and some of the lagoon animals try to rives and Ursula uses the trident to raise the create a romantic atmosphere for Eric to kiss sea level higher, having Eric's interference out Ariel ("Kiss the Girl"). Just before they kiss, of the way. While she is distracted, Ariel then Flotsam and Jetsam give the boat an "electric grabs the magic shell, regains her voice, and shock" and swim away gloating ("Sweet Child threatens to smash the shell. Terrified, Flotsam (Reprise)"). As the second day ends, Sebastian and Jetsam swim away. Ursula begins to sweet gives Ariel a pep talk in order to help her get talk her niece, saying she can turn her human the prince the next day. Carlotta arrives to get again and reunite her with her prince. Ariel Ariel ready for bed and tells her about the sing- starts to believe her and begins to hand the ing contest which is to be held the next day. As shell over. Believing the shell is within her Ariel wishes she could tell Eric everything Tri- grasp, Ursula tells Ariel that since they have ton worries about where his daughter has proven the princess was not a "daddy's girl" an- gone, Sebastian is concerned for Ariel since ymore, Triton will rot on the ocean floor forever her time as a human is almost up, and Eric still and Ariel will trust her instead. Furious, Ariel dreams of finding the girl who saved him even yanks the shell away and smashes it, which de- though he does not want to lose Ariel ("If Only - stroys Ursula. Triton reappears and is reunited Quartet"). Afterwards, Sebastian returns to the with his daughter. sea and rehearses his apology and explanation Triton soon realizes that he must let Ariel go to King Triton. Sebastian and Flounder tell an and transforms her back into a human ("If Only angry King Triton about Ariel's deal with Ursula. (Reprise)"). Ariel and Eric are reunited on the Fearful for his daughter's life, Triton races off to beach and Eric and Grimsby are introduced to find her. King Triton. In honor of his daughter, Triton de- On Ariel's last day as a human the contest clares peace between the humans and merfolk. takes place. All of the foreign princesses sing Ariel and Eric are married and sail away happi- to Eric to see if he can recognize the girl for ly on a ship ("Finale"). whom he is looking ("The Contest"). All of them fail to do so. Ariel chooses at that moment to dance for him, and Eric picks her. Ursula then appears, floods the ballroom, and tells Ariel that the sun has set and she has lost. Flotsam and Jetsam grab Ariel and take her back to the sea. King Triton arrives to confront his sister and rescue Ariel, who has returned to her mermaid form. He agrees to take Ariel's place, and Ursu- la celebrates her victory as she claims the trident and declares herself queen ("Poor Unfor- tunate Souls (Reprise)"). She banishes Synopsis provided by : http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/The_Little_Mermaid_

9 Meet the cast!

Jessica Grové* (Ariel) Broadway: A Little Night Music, Sunday In The Park With George, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Dorothy), Les Miséra- bles (Eponine), The Wizard Of Oz (Dorothy) at Madison Square Garden and National Tour with Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt. Regional: She Loves Me (Amalia -CT Critics Circle Nomination), The Fantasticks, Okla- homa! (Laurey) , Guys And Dolls (Sarah Brown), Evita (Eva). Off Broad- way: Busker Alley, Transport (World Premiere), Anne Of Green Gables, Grimsby) loves being back at North Carolina Theatre after appearing in their pro- Evening Primrose. Please visit www.jessicagrove.com and follow Jessica on Twitter @JessicaGroVAY. Hairspray. Broadway productions include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Imaginary Friends, Music Man, On Your Toes, Barnum, and Sugar Babies. National tours include Wizard of Oz (Jefferson Award), s Stratford Theatre in Music Man (Stage Matt Allen* (Scuttle) Broadway: The Wedding Singer (u/s Sammy), Okla- s homa! (u/s Will Parker), Annie Get Your Gun (u/s Charlie Davenport). Na- taken part in include Deadline (NBC), Home Improvement (ABC), and Alice in Wonderland (PBS). tional Tours: Billy Elliot, Spamalot (u/s Sir Robin, Patsy, Prince Herbert), The Producers, Annie Get Your Gun. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse - Honeymoon in Vegas (u/s Tony Rocky/Roy Bacon), Mermaid (Scuttle) also at PCLO, KC Starlight, Dallas Summer Musicals; North Shore - A Christ- mas Carol (Jacob Marley-IRNE Nomination); Ogunquit Playhouse - Buddy Holly (Hipockets, MC).

Joseph Gaitens (Flounder) Joseph Gaitens is thrilled and honored to be back on stage with NCT! Previous NCT productions: Les Miserables (Ensemble; Gavroche U/S) and Oliver! (Fagin’s Gang; Workhouse Boy; Dodger U/S). Joseph has also appeared in NCT Conservatory's STAS production of Jesus Christ Superstar (Apostle), in Cary Players' A Christmas Story (Ralphie), and in several Cary Applause! productions.

Ellen Harvey* (Ursula) Broadway: Phantom of the Opera (Madame Giry), How To Succeed in Business (Miss Jones, opposite Daniel Radcliffe), The Mu- sic Man, Thou Shalt Not. Shakespeare in the Park: Into The Woods (Cinderella’s Stepmother). National Tours: Mary Poppins (Miss Andrew, Hel- en Hayes nomination), Disney’s High School Musical (Ms. Darbus), Mamma Mia (Tanya), and Sunset Boulevard. Regional favorites: Animal Crackers (Mrs. Rittenhouse, Williamstown Theater Festival), Phantom (Carlotta, N.C. Thea- tre), Annie (Ms. Hannigan, Casa Manana), and No,No,Nanette (Lucille, Good- speed). Proud dog owner! Film, TV and everything else: www.ellenharvey.net

Dirk Lumbard* (Grimsby) loves being back at North Carolina Theatre after appearing in their productions of Les Miserables, CATS, Drowsy Chaperone, Legally Blonde The Musical, Oliver, and Hairspray. Broadway productions include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Imaginary Friends, Music Man, On Your Toes, Barnum, and Sugar Babies. National tours include Wizard of Oz (Jefferson Award), Crazy for You, and Grand Hotel. He also worked in Cana- da’s Stratford Theatre in Music Man (Stage Door Award), Titus Andronicus, Kiss Me Kate, and Com- edy of Errors. Television productions he’s taken part in include Deadline (NBC), Home Improvement (ABC), and Alice in Wonderland (PBS). Proud to be a part on ECU’s School of Theatre and Dance Faculty.

Alan Mingo Jr.* (Sebastian) Original Broadway cast member of Disney’s The Lit- tle Mermaid. Broadway:The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), RENT (Tom Col- lins). National Tours: Shrek The Musical (Donkey), Hairspray (Seaweed), The Lion King (Simba), RENT (Tom Collins) Regional: Pirates! (Sergeant) -The Muny, Once On This Island (Papa Ge) -Paper Mill Playhouse, A Christmas Story: The Musical -Kansas City Rep., The Wiz -La Jolla Playhouse TV/Film: Frasier, Law & Order, Tears of the Sun M.F.A.: UC, Irvine. www.alanmingo.com

Kevyn Morrow* (King Triton) Last seen at NCT in Driving Miss Daisy with Sandy Duncan. Broadway original casts:The Scarlet Pimpernel, Dream, Smokey Joe's Café, Leader of the Pack. Dreamgirls (1987 revival), A Chorus Line (1990 closing). West End: 125th Street, Ragtime- Olivier Best Actor Nom. Off-Broadway: Boys in the Band, Blue. Regional: The Whipping Man, It's A Wonderful Life, Gem of the Ocean, Stormy Weather, First Wives Club-NAACP Best Actor Nom., Race, Radio Golf,Les Misérables (Javert), Xanadu, The Pajama Game (Sid), The Three Musketeers (Aramis), Five Guys Named Moe, Thunder Knockin’.., Our Town,Tambourines to Glory-Helen Hayes Award Best Actor Nom. Film:The Trade, Stayin’ Alive. Television: Kennedy Center Honors (featured), Half-Share- pilot(series regular).Guest spots- Hostages,The Good Wife, Elementary, Law & Order, Coach, Mur- phy Brown. Recurring spots- Person of Interest, Hope and Faith, Ed, One Life.., Kidsworld (Host).

Ian Parmenter* (Prince Eric) is incredibly honored to be returning to NCT for The Little Mermaid. Most recently, he appeared in their productions of Les Misérables (Combeferre) and CATS (Munkustrap). Other favorite roles include Oklahoma (Curly), Into The Woods (Cinderella's Prince), and Grease (Danny). He is a proud member of Actor's Equity and a graduate of UC Irvine.

11 The Artists Behind NC Theatre

CASEY HUSHION (Artistic Director) is proud to be the Artistic Director of North Carolina Theatre, where she has directed 18 productions. Casey was the Associate Director of Elf (2012, 2010). She was also was the Assistant Director of In The Heights, both on Broadway and the Na- tional Tour. She had the pleasure of Assistant Directing the Broadway, West End and the National Tour productions of The Drowsy Chaperone. Other Broadway credits include: To Be or Not To Be (Manhattan Theatre Club) and Good Vibrations. She also directed the Off-Broadway run of Fat Camp last spring. Casey has worked as the Associate Director on Anyone Can Whistle at City Cen- ter Encores, as well as on Minsky’s at the Ahmanson Theatre. A graduate of New York University, Casey has worked at regional theatres such as North Shore Music Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Papermill Playhouse, Casa Manana, Music Theatre of Wichita and Goodspeed Opera House, where she was also on staff as their New Works Scout. Active in the development of new musicals, she has directed for festivals such as the New York Music Theatre Festival and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. With the Boston Pops, Casey has directed concert versions of Carousel and of A Little Night Music. Casey just finished directing a production of How To Succeed In Business at both Riverside Theatre and Walnut Street Theatre. This fall, Casey directed the critically acclaimed production of NERDS at the Philadelphia Theatre Company which hopes to open on Broadway this year.

JENNIFER WERNER (Director) Jennifer is the Associate Director of the Tony Award win- ning “The Book of Mormon.” Also ”The Most Happy Fella,” “Follies” (City Center/Encores!), and “Robin and the 7 Hoods” (Old Globe). Jennifer’s diverse body of work as a choreographer includes “The Black Suits” (CTG/LA), NFL National commercials; ABC’s Upfronts, “As Long As We Both Shall Laugh” (Roundabout); Drama League Awards, “My Fair Lady” (Ogunquit); “Phantom” (NC Theatre); “A Wonderful Life”(Engeman), and numerous Regional/International productions of “Cabaret.” New work Off-Broadway : “Bloodsong of Love” (Ars Nova),“The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks” (Lucille Lortel), “ReWrite” (Urban Stages), and “Things to Ruin” (Second Stage). Jennifer is a Charlotte native and UNC-Chapel Hill graduate.

BRIAN J. MARCUM (Choreographer) Dir./Chor. credits: ELF - The Musical (Asso. Chor.), She Loves Me (Alpine Theatre Project), A Grand Night For Singing (ATP), Pirates of Penzance(Summer Repertory Theatre) A Chorus Line (SRT) Shrek (Chor. SRT), Little Shop of Horrors(Chor. ATP) The Little Mermaid (Lyric Theatre OKC) Performing Credits: B’way: Fascinating Rhythm, Saturday Night Fever, 42nd Street, The Boy from Oz, The Drowsy Chaperone,Spamalot. Currently Associate Professor of Dance at Oklahoma City University.

12 Student Activities Summarize and Review

Summarize Summarize what you just watched! Use the five W’s to write out the main points of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, as you saw onstage. Try to be very concise, fitting each main point in one bubble.

who? where?

what?

when?

why?

13 Student Activities The Little Mermaid: A Timeline

Hans Christian Andersen wrote the fairy 1837 tale, “The Little Mermaid”

Anderson’s fairy tale is translated into 1872 English by H.P. Paull

Germaine Tailleferre wrote La Petite Sirèn, an 1957 opera based off The Little Mermaid

Shirley Temple broadcast a TV version of 1961 “The Little Mermaid” starring Shirley Temple

Walt Disney Pictures produced their famous 1989 animated film adaptation

The stage production of Disney’s The Little 2008 Mermaid debuted on Broadway

NC Theatre’s regional premiere of Disney’s 2014 The Little Mermaid!

14 Student Activities Compare and Contrast

Compare and Contrast Read the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale online and watch the animated Disney film ofThe Little Mermaid. How are they similar to and different from one another? How are they each similar to and different from the NC Theatre production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid? Fill out your thoughts on the diagram below!

NC Theatre

Disney Film Fairy Tale

15 Student Activities Under the Sea

Did you know? There are millions of sea creatures around the world! Our friends Sebastian the crab and Flounder are just two of the many species you can find under the sea.

Research it! Pick a sea creature from the list below, and find all the information you can about it! Then write a list of your 10 favorite facts about your creature. Check out the example below!

Crab Fact Sheet Pick one: 1) Crabs live in all types of water and on land, and spend most of their time in freshwater. Anemone 2) Crabs live from 8 to 13 years Barracuda 3) Crabs have teeth in their stomachs Clam 4) A group of crabs is a called a cast Eel 5) Crabs have eyes on short stalks Guppy 6) Crabs can be as small as a few millimeters and as big as Plankton 13 feet Seahorse 7) Crabs often walk to one side or backwards Sea Urchin 8) There are over 4,500 types of crabs Squid 9) Crabs have an external shell called an exoskeleton to protect their soft bodies Stingray 10) Crabs breath using gills, so they stay close to water

16 Student Activities Write your Own!

Mermaids People around the world have many different beliefs and stories about mermaids. Mermaids appear in mythology and legends from many different nations. Research these different stories, then write your own! Fill out the outline below to get you started.

Characters

Beginning

The Conflict/Problem

The Solution

17 NC Theatre and Beyond Trivia

See how much you know about NC Theatre and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, or fill in the blanks with your best guess!

NC Theatre

The Little Mermaid: 1. Little Mermaid: The performances 1,000 100shows; 4. anniversary 30th 3. people 2. 90 dollars a million Half 1. Theatre: NC 1. NC Theatre’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid cost over $______to produce 2. There are approximately ______people in the cast, crew, orchestra, and creative team directly involved in every performance of NC

Theatre’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid

“ Part of Your of World Part 3. NC Theatre is celebrating its ______anniversary! 4. NC Theatre has produced more than ______shows and has held

over ______performances.

” 2. ” English accent 3. Best Motion Picture; 3 4. Heely 5. 50; 685 5. 50; 4. Heely 3 Picture; BestMotion 3. accent English The Little Mermaid 1. The song ______was almost cut from the Disney animated film The Little Mermaid because children seemed restless during it at an early screening of the movie. 2. Originally, Sebastian was supposed to have a(n) ______ac- cent rather than a Jamaican one. 3. The Little Mermaid was the first animated feature to be nominated for a ______Golden Globe Award, and received ___ other nominations as well. 4. The original stage production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid used ______shoes to make the actors appear underwater. 5. The Broadway production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid ran for a

total of _____ previews and ______performances.

18 NC Theatre and Beyond Making a Musical: Index of Terms

Actor’s Equity Association - a labor union that represents American theatre actors and stage managers. Founded in 1913, the union provides a variety of benefits and protections for members, including health insur- ance, a minimum salary and many others. Under an agreement with the Actors' Equity Association, NC Thea- tre is committed to hiring a significant number of Equity performers for each production. Broadway - located in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Broadway is considered the highest level of commercial, or for-profit, theatre in addition to the West End in London. Broadway theatre includes any theatrical performance presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500+ seats that is located in the Thea- tre District. The Broadway League is a trade organization that works with theatrical unions such as Actor’s Equity Assoc. (see above) to negotiate contracts and promote Broadway theatre. Most Broadway theatre houses are owned and managed by the Shubert Organization (17 theatres), the Nederlander Organization (9 theatres), and Jujamcyn (5 theatres) Non-Profit Theatre - holds the tax-exempt 501(c)3 status and exists for the greater good of the community. They have a mission, vision, or goal regarding their artistic objectives for the theatre or their education depart- ment. Many non-profit theatres have an educational component which serves the community, such as NCT’s year-around Conservatory and its “Theatre4Change” workshop in the “Stage2School” program. North Caroli- na Theatre is a professional non-profit theatre. There are three non-profit Broadway theatre companies: Lin- coln Center Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, and Roundabout Theatre Company.

A musical takes a ton of people working together. Just a few of them are listed below!

Composer - writes or composes the musical score. Alan Menken composed Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Lyricist - writes the lyrics, or puts words to the songs of the musical score. Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater wrote the lyrics for Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Playwright - a playwright is someone who writes plays. Doug Wright wrote Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Dramaturg - does research on a play or musical, such as references to historical background, research of other productions of the show, or anything else that helps the director and actor understand the script better. Artistic Director - oversees the aspects of production, maintains the overall artistic vision and goals of the theatre, has overarching control of the theatre’s season line-up of productions, and is the primary director of the shows. There may also be Associate or Assistant Artistic Directors. Director - develops a vision for a particular show and ensures its quality by unifying the artistic and production side of the show. The director typically works with actors to stage or “block” the show. The director also works closely with designers and the technical director to ensure that the production’s technical aspects are unified with his or her artistic vision. There may be Assistant Directors. Producer - the producer raises and provides financial backing for productions and oversees all aspects of putting up a theatre production. The producer also handles managerial functions and hires artistic personnel, such as the director. There may also be Associate Producers. Music Director - directs musical aspects of the show, such as the vocalists and the orchestra. Choreographer - choreographs or comes up with the dance or movement component of a musical, called choreography Pit Conductor - the person who conducts the musicians in the pit orchestra Rehearsal Pianist - the person that accompanies vocalists during the rehearsal process until rehearsals with the pit orchestra begin Production Stage Manager - in charge of coordinating many aspects of a theatrical production. They are often the go-between communicator for the director and actors and the director and technical production personnel. They ensure the smooth execution of a production. There may be Assistant Stage Managers Technical Director - responsible for the overall organization of the technical production process, including overseeing the implementation of the designers’ visions, developing and working within a production budget, scheduling and supervising build crews, communicating with the director, and organizing the strike or clean- up of a production following the closing performance

19 Dream of being onstage alongside Ariel & friends?

North Carolina Theatre Conservatory Broadway veterans teaching future Broadway stars. Classes offered for all ages! Visit www.nctheatreconservatory.com for more information.