Phantom Vs. West Side Story

1. Both of these musicals represented a love relationship between two main characters. Using the character names (you can use www.imdb.com) when talking about them, please explain similarities and differences. This response should be a minimum of five - seven sentences (a paragraph) - remember to include your name and hour.

2. Once you have responded to the prompt above, then wait for student responses to appear on the blog. Pick at least two and respond (talk) about their take on the the similarities and differences. Be very specific and speak directly to that student using his or her name in your responses. And of course do not forget to insert your name and hour as well.

Broadway Musicals 101

This involves a little research on your part using you lap top and completing the following blog questions: (remember to insert your name and hour in the blog) Begin your research at -

http://www.musicals101.com/

1. What is a musical? (two - three sentences)

2. Define what Vaudeville type shows were:

3. What are the Ancient Beginnings of Musicals? (two - three sentences)

4. What are the six elements of how a pro creates a musical?

5. How does a pro raise the money to put on a professional musical? (two - three sentences)

6. Tell us one thing from Musicals that interests you or surprised you - this is a free search on this web site and can be anything about Musicals and its production.

Broadway Trivia Game: If you finish the research and responses, try this Broadway Trivia game at: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/game/game.html

JIMLINEHAN.COM

Answer the following questions:

1. What message was being communicated?

2. How much time do you think it took to prepare for such a show?

3. Write approximately 1 paragraph on what you liked and did not like.

Hair Spray Broadway Musical

1. Explain what political or social issue agenda was being addressed in this broadway musical. Be sure to include evidence from the story.

2. What is your reaction to John Travolta playing a woman in this particular version? Why?

GREASE Blog

Now that you have finished viewing the Broadway Musical GREASE - film version, please respond to the following questions. Each response should be 2 - 3 sentences.

1. Who was the director for the film version of GREASE, and what would you have done differently as the director?

2. Pick one of the main characters. Why did the director cast this actor into this part? (You may go to IMDB.com and research the actor for better insight.

3. Pick either a main or minor character and share your insight from the backside of the observation sheet. Include all information that you gathered for each entry.

Story Book Experience

Congratulations! Drama students performed your first live audience small production. You put in a good show and the Navigator students really responded to your stories. For each prompt below, write 3 - 5 sentences about your experience.

1. Describe your preparation/practice/build-up to get to the point where you presented it to the Navigator students:

2. What was the funniest thing that happened during the presentation:

3. What would you have done differently and why?

And by the way, 8th grade this counts for five hours of Community Service for the Portfolio.

Bye Bye Birdie Observation 3

Please go to this url: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056891/plotsummary

Read the plot summary and then respond to the following question(s).

1. What do you think about the actor choice for the role of Conrad? Was he a good choice or not? Why or why not?

2. Let's think about the music for a moment. Look at the list of songs used. Did they fit the story plot? Why or why not?

3. If this musical was redone today, who would you cast as the Conrad character? And think of one current song you would use in the story. Explain your choices.

Bye Bye Birdie Observation 2

Go to this url: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056891/

Research this web site for the following information and record it in your blog. None of the blogs will be posted until all have responded.

1. Who was the director?

2. Who were the writers?

3. What genre was this play?

4. Research one of the following actors and tell us at least three things that you found interesting about him or her: Dick Van Dyke or Ann Margaret

5. Finally, research either trivia or goofs and blog a couple of items you found surprising.

Make sure you record your name and hour in your blog.

Bye Bye Birdie 1 Observation

The basic premise for Bye Bye Birdie:

A rock singer travels to a small Ohio town to make his "farewell" television performance and kiss his biggest fan before he is drafted.

There are major and minor characters in the story:

Rosie
Albert
Kim
Hugo
Conrad
Mother
Father
MaMa

Identify two characters from the list above that you think are main characters. List them by name and describe what their character is like (not just physical description - but emotional, mental, spiritual, personality, quirks, etc). Write 2 - 3 sentences per character.

Remember to put your Name (first & last) and your hour inside the blog.

Alas Poor Yorick - a Practice in Memorization

The following url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmwe0WGwYWs

will take you to a youtube site. Follow the instructions below -

1. Put your ear buds in or headphones.
2. Listen to the words and read the words on the screen quietly to yourself.
3. Now read the words out loud (not real loud), but aloud.
4. Continue this process at least 10 - 12 times, trying to memorize the words to this famous excerpt from Shakespeare's Hamlet.
5. Then wait for instruction prior to blogging.

Basic Beginnings III - Theatre and Drama

Search for a dramatic sad youtube middle school video. The video should not be more then three minutes long. Post the url in the comments and explain what you liked about the video. Ensure it is appropriate.

Basic Beginnings II - Theatre Drama

In a paragraph, describe the relaxation activity that was conducted on the Jane Tasch stage. Provide details - Explain what happened and how it made you feel. Use adjectives with your nouns as you write the description.

The paragraph should be at least 5 - 7 sentences.

Basic Beginnings I - Theatre and Drama

At this juncture (two weeks) in to this marking period, you should be getting an idea of what to expect in the coming weeks. List three things that you might expect in a Drama Class or what do you hope to experience in Drama Class - Remember, list three things.

When you list these three things - describe them in detail.

Super Bowl Commercials Observations

Review the three Super Bowl 2011 commercials below. Write a blog explaining which one was the best and why. It is very important to explain the why. Ensure you write five to seven sentences explaining your choice. Look at all aspects of the commercial and compare it against the one(s) you do not think was the best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APS9tso1G9k&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVJ91W4ZRhw&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Remember, write 5 - 7 sentences explaining your pick out of these three Super Bowl 2011 Commercials. Remember you are looking at the advertising style (props and acting) and not the product or spokesperson....

You Tube Presents

Please use youtube.com and research the following:

1. Appropriate comedy clips less then 4 minutes

2. Appropriate emotion (dramatic) clips less then 4 minutes

Pick one clip for each genre and then post that in the comments below. But each must include a 5 - 7 sentence description of the event and your name/hour.

The priority is to select a clip that is absolutely appropriate for middle school.

West Side Story Response

This response will explain the connection between Romeo and Juliet with the Musical West Side Story. The character names will be provided. Write at least 5 - 7 sentences commentary on theatrical aspects of the musical and how there are connections to Romeo and Juliet. Use theatre terms learned in this class, speak to any of the following:

1. Light and shadow
2. Sound support
3. Camera angle
4. Props and Location
5. Dialogue
6. Actor positioning
7. Audience/House view
8. Story and Conflict
9. Protagonist / Antagonist
10. Connect to your life

Characters: Maria - Tony - Riff - Anita - Doc - Bernardo - Officer Krupke - Baby John - Detective Schrank - and many more....

An Interview with Boyd Gaines

Please go to this URL: http://schooltheatre.org/publications/dramatics (it might be wise to open up another window - to go back and forth between the two as you read and blog).

Then select the Interview with Boyd Gaines.

Read the interview and then blog your comments. Speak to anything that Boyd Gaines has to say about Laughter and Theatre.

After you have had a chance to blog, you must add your comments to other student's input (at least 3 other students).

When you have finished this, you may look at any other articles in the current DRAMATICS magazine or older issues.