BTEC Tech Award Level 1/ 2 Performing Arts

(Musical Theatre)

Key Stage 4 -Knowledge Organiser

Roles/Responsibilities and Skills

Actor/Actress Male/Female role playing a Character

Singer Person who sings lyrics to music or unaccompanied

Dancers Takes part in the dance routines.

Orchestra Plays a musical instrument as part of the orchestra

Director A theatre director or stage director is an instructor in the theatre field who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a theatre production

Musical Director A music director, musical director, or director of music is the person responsible for the musical aspects of a performance, production, or organisation.

Choreographer A person who composes the sequence of steps and moves for a performance of dance

Performer A person who entertains an audience.

Musicians A person who plays a musical instrument, especially as a profession, or is musically talented

Wardrobe A department in charge of altering and producing costumes. They also need to ensure that costumes are stored correctly.

Designer A person in charge of designing the set/ costume etc for the production.

Writer A person who has developed the script

Roles/Responsibilities and Skills

Role Responsibilities Skills

Director • The director has to really understand the script and might have to do research on the theme of the musical.

• They come up with ideas for how the musical will look on stage and will work with designers to agree on things like lighting, sound, costumes and set.

• They have to audition the performers to make sure they are right for the musical and they might work with the musical director and choreographer when doing this.

• They prepare for and organise rehearsals.• They work with the performers in rehearsals and give them feedback to make sure what

they do is the same as their creative intentions.

• Communication skills are really important as the director has to put across what they want to the performers as well a designers and the production team. In a musical they also have to work as part of a creative team with the musical director and choreographer.

• They have to have a really good imagination so they can come up with really interesting and creative ideas for the musical.

• They need to understand about health and safety on stage.• They need to be really well organsied so the show hits all its deadlines and is ready on time.

Musical Director • The musical director is in charge of the music and singing elements of the show. • They will rehearse with the performers teaching them the songs and making sure they are

perfect. • They will have to also work with the musicians in the band and the musical director will

usually pick the musicians that will be best for the show. • The musical director might conduct the band during the show.

• They need to be a very good musician and usually they will be able to play the piano really well as they will use the piano to teach the songs to the performers. They must be able to read musical as well and they will need to be able to teach harmonies to the performers.

• Communication skills are really important as they will also need to work with the director and the choreographer.

• They need to be really well organsied so the show hits all its deadlines and is ready on time.

Choreographer • The choreographer designs the dance and movement sequences and teaches them to the dancers.

• They will need to work closely with the director to make sure the overall concept is they same as the directors.

• The choreographer must have a good understanding of different dance styles. • They must also understand about choreography and how to structure and design dance

routines. • They will need to be imaginative and creative so they can design dances that are interesting and

exciting to watch. • They also need very good communication skills so they can teach the dances to the performers

and give them feedback.

Performer • Performers need to prepare for and go to auditions so they can get work. • They need to go to all the rehearsals and work with other performers. and listen to the

director, choreographer and musical director so they are able to produce work that fits with the creative intentions.

• They will take part in performances and need to arrive on time and take part in the warm up.

• Musical theatre performers need singing, acting and dance skills. This is why a good musical theatre performer is called a triple threat, because they can do all three.

• They also need good interpretive skills so they can act like their character would and be believable.

• Communication and listening skills are really important when they are in rehearsals. They need to be able to listen to feedback and use it to improve what they are doing.

• They need to be confident so they don’t get too nervous when they go onstage. • They need to be well organsied so they are on time and meet all their deadlines. • They also need to be fit as they might be doing 8 shows every week.

Purpose of a Musical and the impact on the audience

To Educate

To Raise Awareness

To Entertain

To Inform

To Challenge A Viewpoint

To Celebrate

To Provoke

Types of Staging

End On – Audience on one side

Transverse – Audience on two sides

Thrust – Audience on three sides

In the Round – Audience on all sides

Purpose of a Musical

Musical Types Features Themes Examples

Book A musical in which the story, dialogue and dancing are

all intertwined through libretto

Love/ Conflict/Historical Comedy Oklahoma!/ Guys and Dolls

Jukebox Features music/songs by a band or artist and Love/ Conflict/Historical

Comedy/Featured music by

artist/band/time period

Mamma Mia/ We Will Rock You

Concept Concept Musical: A musical in which the idea or concept

takes precedence over the plot; usually a nonlinear

story, or one that incorporates several threads

Shifts in time/ sung through/ religious

themes/ Love/ Harder hitting themes

A Chorus Line/ Company/Joseph and The

Technicolored Dream Coat/

Revue A revue is a type of musical theatre which combines

singing, dancing, music and sketches. The contents of a

revue are normally linked together by a common theme.

Common theme that links all aspects

together

Thriller

Revival A musical that is being brought back to the stage. This

can sometimes be as an anniversary of its 1st release. It

can also be as a director wants to change/add aspects to

the musical in the modern day.

Love/comedy/ History/ Conflict Fame the Musical currently on tour UK.

Operetta They tend to be shorter than opera and mix song with

spoken dialogue, and impressive dance numbers. To put

it simply, operettas can generally be described as light

operas with spoken dialogue. In comparison, most

musicals can be described as plays with singing.

Love/ witty/ Political/ comedy The Pirates of Penzance/ Phantom

American May also be referred to as a Broadway musical. This

usually features American accents and themes of an

American nature.

Love/ Conflict/Historical Comedy Hairspray

Rock These musicals can be loud and feature rock music with

guitars and drums. Performers will need to have a

suitable rock tone to their voices.

Rock music/ love story/ set in the past or

future.

Hamilton/ Bat Out of Hell

Types of Musical

Solos A musical number featuring one singer or dancer

Duets A musical number featuring two dancers/singers or two performers

Ballads Songs which usually are sung by characters to express their romantic feelings towards one another.

Show Stoppers

A song which features singing, acting and dance in one number. This can usually feature a specific style of dance/singing. It is a high energy number and can feature the whole cast.

Comedy song

Song usually sang as a solo/duet and he comedy elements are featured within the lyrics. The performer or performers need good comic timing

Production Number

A part of the musical that will have all characters and chorus acting, singing and dancing. This can sometimes be used as a plot mover to change or move the plot on within one number.

Action Song

Songs which move the plot of the musical forward.

Character song

A song in which a character will express their feelings through song. This can usually be the expression of love for another character.

Songs used in musical theatre performances

Gilbert and Sullivan Best known for writing/composing Operas together.

https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/beginners-guide-gilbert-sullivan/

Rogers and Hammerstein Lyricist and composer who featured on big musicals in the 1960s including The Sound of Music/ The King and I and Oklahoma!

https://www.rnh.com/bios.html

Kander and Ebb Worked together to produce some big musicals and featured the work of Bob Fosse in the choreography. The most famous being Cabaret.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kander-and-Ebb

Stephen Sondheim Lyricist- wrote the lyrics for West Side Story and Sweeney Todd

http://www.sondheim.com/

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber Famous composer/lyricist etc Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has created famous works including School of Rock/Cats and Phantom of the Opera.

https://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/about/

Bob Fosse Choreographer also known as the father of Modern Jazz. Featured on Sweet Charity/ Cabaret and All that Jazz. Unique style of turned out hips/ thrusts and clicks. He also introduced bowler hats/gloves and the use of canes.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Fosse

Practitioners

Performance styles

Acting Styles Dance Styles Music/Singing Styles

Naturalistic Commercial Pop

Non Naturalistic Lyrical Rock

Stylised Modern Jazz Classical

Comedy Ballet Opera

Puppetry Hip Hop Rap

Physical Theatre Tap

Street

Contemporary

Jive

Page to Stage Auditions Actors/Actress will prepare a piece of script for the audition. They will then perform this in

front of a panel. This may also include a dance routine/ solo song. This can include taking part

in workshops to determine the correct person is cast for the role.

Cast Picked The Director/ Musical director will pick there cast based on the auditions and a cast list will be

put up naming the who is playing what roles in the production.

Whole cast read

through

The whole cast will meet with the director and other production specialists to understand the

plot and learn of the directors creative intention for the piece.

Rehearsals Rehearsal schedules will be given to all cast members. Performers are take part in rehearsals

where they will be directed by the director. This is called blocking. The director will explain how

they want the performers to move, act, sing etc. These take place until the whole show is

blocked/choreographed and ready for Dress rehearsals.

Learning of

choreography

Performers will be taught dance routines required for the show by a choreographer/s. These

will then be rehearsed during main rehearsals to show how they link in to the show, possibly

moving the plot forward or to express feelings.

Learning of

Lyrics/songs

Performers will work with vocal coach to ensure that they are singing in tune, in time and

conveying the correct emotion for the song.

Meetings with

Wardrobe

Performers will meet with wardrobe to ensure costumes are ready for the dress rehearsals.

Final adjustments will be made before this day.

Full Dress

Rehearsal

Director/ Musical Director will watch and make notes on the rehearsal and will make

adjustments to the show where needed to ensure its smooth running. This may include

changing blocking etc. This is also where performers will receive feedback on individual

performance.

Full Technical

Rehearsal

Similar to the Full dress rehearsal. This time adjustments will be made to the

sound/lighting/technical effects of the show.

Opening Night First night to a paying audience and members of the press. This will give the cast time to shine

and hope for good reviews in order to keep audiences coming back.

Skills DescriptionFacial Expression Facial expression is a non-verbal form of communication that shows an emotion or

feeling. It often works with other Drama skills to develop a character.

Body Language Body language is a non-verbal communication of attitudes, feelings or actions of a

character. It is how the character moves and uses their body.

Gesture Gesture is a non-verbal communication that works alongside body language. It focuses

only on the hands. You can use your gestures to direct the audience to something or

reveal what your character is doing.

Space and Levels The use of space and levels allows the audience to see everyone on stage but also helps

actors reflect real life. It can also be used to show the status of a character or make a

scene look more interesting.

Tone of voice Tone of voice is not what we say but how we say it. It captures a mood or emotion and

can help inform the audience of your characters feelings or intentions.

Voice Projection Voice projection is the volume you use on stage. It is both loud and quiet but ensures

the audience can hear no matter what.

Posture The position of a person's body when standing or sitting

Mannerisms A character trait, repeated action

Stance How you stand in role as a character

Articulation How you pronounce your words

SKILLS

Libretto the overall text including the spoken and sung parts. Can also be known as the book too.

Show stopper A musical number, a song or a dance or both, that creates such excitement in an audience that the

show has to pause because people keep cheering and applauding.

Creative intention The intentions of the piece. What the director is trying to express or show to his audience through

the performance of the musical.

Repertoire Work produced by practitioners. This can be in the form of dance routines

Dance Break Part of a song in which the singing and acting will stop for a dance routine to take place and then the

song may resume.

Sung through Where the whole of the musical is sung and includes little to no spoken dialogue.

Overture Instrumental introduction to the musical. This may include snippets of songs to be featured in the

musical.

Triple Threat A performer who can sing, dance, and act. Also known in the industry as a triple threat.

Key Terms