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Create and Produce: Music Theater Workshop
I. Course description:
A course which focuses on
the creation, preparation, production & staging of an original musical drama
within a three-week timeframe.
II. Instructor’s educational
preparation and current employment
CHAD
PREWETT
- Bachelor of Science in
Education, University of Missouri-Columbia (1995)
- Bachelor of Music in
Performance, University of Missouri-Columbia (1995)
- Graduate coursework completed
through Northwest Missouri State University, the University of Missouri-Columbia
and the University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Currently employed by
the Ladue School District, St. Louis County,Missouri
- CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chad Prewett, Ladue Middle School, 9701
Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63124
- cprewett@ladue.k12.mo.us
II. Rationale
for inclusion in a program for gifted students
This course provides enrichment
and extension opportunities in the study of musical composition, theory, theatrical
production, creative writing and staging which are not typically available in
Missouri high school performing arts programs.
IV. Major topics
covered
- Components of the creative
process
- Compositional structure
and form
- Set-up, configuration,
operation and troubleshooting of MIDI sequencing software and digital audio
recording software
- Basic and advanced
techniques for tracking, editing and mixing musical scores using MIDI sequencing
and digital audio recording software
- Structure and pattern
within chord progressions
- Strategies related
to lyric writing for musical theater
- Team-building and systems
for organized artistic collaboration
- Improvisational acting
- Story creation, editing,
and scriptwriting
- Basic theatrical rehearsal
& production terminology & procedure
V. Pre-requisite
knowledge
Some prior music theory
knowledge, musical theater experience and/or piano keyboarding skills are helpful
for the course, but not necessary.
VI. Learning objectives
- To allow students the
opportunity to explore and experience the elements of the creative process.
- To expand and extend
student knowledge and experiences in the areas of musical composition and
theory.
- To allow students meaningful
and advanced experiences with integrated projects combining musical creation
with related endeavors in visual arts, dramatics and movement.
- To expose students
to cutting-edge technology in the world of music and audio production.
- To encourage the application
of non-linear thinking to creative thought.
- To enhance skills in
self-expression and creativity.
- To develop skills in
both artistic collaboration and artistic leadership.
- To build upon existing
creative writing skills.
- To equip students with
skills necessary to express creative thoughts through composition with the
aid of contemporary technology.
VII. Primary source
material
No primary
source is in use; materials, strategies and plans are drawn from an eclectic
array of workshops, texts and personal experiences.
SOFTWARE:
FreeStyle MIDI sequencing software
(published by Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.—www.motu.com)
ProTools LE hard disk recording
software (published by Digidesign,Inc.—www.digidesign.com)
VIII. Supplementary
source material
Curriculum guides from the
Experience Music Project online (www.emplive.com)
IX. Computing and
the Internet (if applicable)
Much of the course is computer-based.
Uses of Internet music and legal issues surrounding Internet music are covered;
the Internet is not formally used by students during the course.