2012 UIL Super Conference Presenter: Glenn Ballard Director of Fine Arts & Theatre The Brook Hill School Bullard, Texas Musical Theatre in High School The Advantages of a Musical Theatre program in High School. 1. Exposes students to a larger performance opportunity 2. Growth of students. “Life-changing experience.” 3. Increased student involvement. Draw new students into program. (cast, crew, sets, lights, props, etc.) 4. Defining moment of the school year. 5. Public relations opportunity. Showcase School or program. 6. Can re-energize a school or community. 7. “You have to.” All other commitments depend on yours. 8. Job satisfaction. Resources Musicals101.com How to Put on a Musical: A Guide for Schools and Amateur Groups by John Kenrick (2003) Being Part of a High School Musical by Chris Sherwood at eHow.com Covers topics such as auditioning, backstage issues, rehearsal schedules and directing technique My List of Things to Know 1. Know Yourself. A. What kind of shows do I prefer? (Music, story-line, effect on audience, little- known or well-known) B. How much time can I afford to spend? (family commitments)(organizer?) C. What are my personal strengths and weaknesses? (casting, character development, sets, staging) D. Understand the role of the director (and your style of directing. E. Watch as many shows as you can. 2. Know your kids. A. How deep is your talent pool? B. Feeder program – lower school, middle school. C. What do the kids want to do? What will challenge them? D. What will make them successful? E. How many schedule conflicts do they have? (best time of year?) F. Talented kid vs. one with good attitude. G. Recruit 3. Know your collaborators. (It takes a village) Share the work and share the accomplishment. A. Music (choral) director B. Pit director: (Live pit, MT PIT, Accompanease) C. Choreographer D. Costumer E. Administrators F. Other volunteers i. House & Publicity ii. Carpenters iii. Concessions iv. Hair & Make-up v. Box Office vi. Student led crews 4. Know your audience. A. Will they buy tickets? B. Will they bring their friends? C. What kind of show will they support? 5. Know your show. A. Read it over and over. (Perusals. Read with potential cast. Summer read) B. Research the show on-line. (Read reviews. What worked? Didn’t work?) C. Watch You Tube videos. D. Is it age appropriate? E. Can you cast it? Can the kids sing it? F. Can you afford to stage it? G. Know the time period for authenticity. H. Special set needs? I. Tech needs? J. Rehearsal schedule (START EARLY) 6. Know your license. A. Apply early to deal with possible restrictions. B. Keep records (shipping receipts), C. Royalties, rental, deposits D. Keep it legal Glenn Ballard’s Bio My passion for musical theatre started in a large High School in Houston during the mid-70s. I was cast in four: Oklahoma; Hello Dolly; Fiddler on the Roof; Finnian’s Rainbow. I saw plays and musicals in Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre. (South Pacific) In Houston: Yul Brynner in The King and I; Jesus Christ Superstar, Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin in Evita, Annie NYC: Phantom, Cats, Aida, Mary Poppins, In the Heights, Anything Goes, Memphis Dallas: Phantom (2), Bye Bye Birdie (Tommy Tune),Les Mis, Lion King, Wicked (2), Dream Girls, Mary Poppins, West Side Story Chicago: Miss Saigon Boston: Les Mis 25th Anniversary Production Tyler: Professional tours of Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ: Superstar, The Producers, Aida, The Color Purple, and Oklahoma Texas Shakespeare Festival at Kilgore College Master of Arts Degree (Speech and Theatre) from UTT. Directorial credits (musicals) Directed: Sound of Music, 3 ½ Musketeers, Oklahoma, Hoodwinked, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, Shrew, Annie Get Your Gun, The King and I, Aida, Annie. Middle School musicals: The Junior versions of Aladdin; Seussical; The Music Man; Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; and Godspel. .