THEA 219(S) Music-Theatre Workshop: Collaboration and Creativity (Same as Music 219)

This course is designed for writers, lyricists and composer/song-writers with an interest in the creation of new music-theater works. It will be structured as a laboratory workshop, based upon a series of collaborative exercises. These exercises could include: creating an emotionally expansive moment for a solo performer; creating work in response to a piece of visual art; custom-designed assignments designed to encourage each team member to explore new creative territory; developing work as an ensemble. The course may culminate in a public or private presentation of the material created in class. Emphasis will be placed on both the process of collaboration and the craft of uniting text and music. The course will pose a variety of questions: How does music change or enhance the meaning of text? How does the interplay of text and music evoke place, character, emotion? How can music stretch the boundaries of theater, and drama push the musical envelope? How do different musical and theatrical styles work in a music-theater context? How does creating a lyric compare to creating a poem or a play? What issues are raised by the various dynamics of the collaborative arts? While primary attention will be paid to the interaction of writer and composer, the material can move stylistically in whatever direction the students wish, including the use of electronics, multimedia, found objects, and other expanded techniques. Students are not expected to have prior experience with the creation of music-theatre work; however, a strong interest in the medium and some facility as a writer, composer/song-writer/musician is required.
Format: Seminar/Lab.
R equirements: Evaluation will be based upon full participation in all collaborative assignments, in-class presentations, and feedback sessions, and a final collaborative project. prerequisites:
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor is required. Contact: Gregpliska@aol.com or the Chair of Theatre: Robert.E.Baker-White@williams.edu
E nrollment limit: 20 (expected: 20).Preference given to Theatre and Music majors.
Hour: PLISKA