Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Who directs the musical?

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ACT4JC
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Posted: 4/11/08 at 3:32pm

Of course, but no one said "Don't expect to be anything more than a glorified parent when it comes to putting on the fall musical."

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jayzehr
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Posted: 4/11/08 at 5:18pm

Were you told that the choir director was in charge of the musical?

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JoeMc
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Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:49am

Which ever way you jump, I think you might know. No matter how the show turns out, your going to be the ratbag.

You have made an offer, so live up to your end of it. Whether she does or not, is San fairy Anne!

In the mean time work on planning the next year production.

Stay squeaky clean & help with her show. A lot can happen before the next production comes about, which may change the situation in your favour.

lets face it she has her feet set in concrete & you want to rearrange the foundations.

The show will happen anyway, so you have all that time to prove your credentials, while checking out the lie of the pitch & playing field.

Ensuring you wear a steel plate to cover your R send, if it is a flop & you have not left any DNA behind at the scene.

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Aimee
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Posted: 4/13/08 at 10:53am

I work at a high school and for our musicals the choir director does the musical part of it, the "regular" director does the acting part of it. As for Blocking, I think the musical director "fixes" things that don't seem to work well.

I do know the musical director has done it all in the past. I think that it actually may work better with only one person involved, but that just may be due to the fact I have issues with the director.

Good luck with it.

Aimee

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SDstoryteller
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Posted: 6/16/08 at 8:12pm

I have one word for belle....

WORD!

Watching someone struggle to maintain control is far more fascinating than watching them lose it.

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sconjott
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Posted: 6/18/08 at 10:56am

Originally posted by spikesgirl

I would think that it's a 50/50 partnership. Your director would handle the acting aspect, your choral teacher would handle the singing. not sure who would head up the choreography - who ever has the most experience would be my call.

No, the musical director does NOT run the musical - at least not in our theater.

Charlie

BINGO!!!

Unless your Music/Band/Choir Director has experience and has the authority to do the Theatrical Directing... they need to stick to what they know or teach and let a more knowlegeable (not necessarily talented) person take care of Stage Direction. AND VICE VERSA! As far as choreography goes, Choreography falls more into Stage Direction than Vocal Direction. SO. if you don't have a choreographer the Director should choreograph dance numbers.

Now, THAT being said, I am so sorry you find yourself in a public school system which seems to be leading the cutting edge of "self centered, self importance" instead of a school where learning is paramount to both teachers and students. I worked for Fort Worth ISD for 2 years for the Reading Dept. WOW! ... sorry, before I get WAY W A Y off topic on a rant, Have you talked to the principal? It sounded like you had but that's definately the place to start if the MUZAC lady dosn't want to share. It is I am sad to say, all too likely that this is a situation where you're not going to get a chance to prove your worth until you pitch in with what the Music Director is doing... Whatever you do DON'T bust her out in front of the kids. Try getting some parents on your side because that's the kind of pressure the Principal will eventually listen too.

Best Wishes

There are NO small roles, only small actors...

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avgsuperheroine
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Posted: 7/11/08 at 1:08am

While I've always thought it doesn't make much sense to have the drama director or teacher not be involved in the musicals--I've lived in several different areas of the country and work with hundreds of schools with our costume shop and it's VERY common in smaller to midsize towns to do things that way. I've seen many, many schools where the drama teacher does one play per year (not a musical) and the music teacher does a musical once a year or every other year.

I don't think that's smart, but it is sometimes the way it is. I've seen a lot of musicals where it's very clear that there was no drama teacher or experienced stage director involved (great music, fantastic singing and orchestra, but 70 chorus members stand in a straight line to sing a song then march off stage).

Another sad but true rule of community seems to be that while people hate change, people hate changes that new people make even more. I hope you've tried to go back and figure out what was agreed upon or where the miscommunication started since you posted this and that things are going better...but if it's not, trying to change things in a big way right off the bat usually goes over like a lead balloon. I wish you luck. I hope you're able to gain the respect that you want and convince them that a different partnership is best.

Dramatically Correct Cast Gifts
Costume Shop Organization Tips

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KEB54
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Posted: 7/24/08 at 4:02pm

I think belle has it right. You certainly don't want get her POed. You don't want your music director undermining you. She'll turn everyone against you ("The musicals were so much better when the choir director did them!"). The kids won't try out and the musical will die.

You gotta figure out a way to work together.

How are her productions? Are they good now?

KEB

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