Broadway Bound: The American Musical Theater (3 credits)

June 14-21, 2009

Enrollment Deadline: May 15, 2009

View printable brochure and registration form (includes tuition and fee information)

Explore the historical, cultural, and performance aspects of the American Musical Theater

Highlights include:
• A show and backstage tour at Sight and Sound Theatre, Strasburg, Pa.
• A Broadway show in New York City

OVERVIEW

Explore the excitement and magic that only a Broadway show provides! Examine the historical, cultural, and performance aspects of the American musical theater, discover the technical workings of today’s theatrical wonders, and experience a Broadway musical firsthand…and where better to do that than “on Broadway!”

We will take a look at the historical development of the Broadway musical and the people inherent in that development through a variety of visual aids, including records, compact discs, DVDs, and internet resources. You will try some of the performance aspects of musical theater in mini-workshops on singing, dancing, and acting. We will also take a backstage tour of one of country’s largest and most modern theatrical facilities, the Sight and Sound Theatre in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. We’ll wrap up the week with a trip to New York City’s theater district to see a Broadway show.

Course content and activities are designed for persons interested in a deeper understanding of the American art form known as the Broadway musical. This blending of music, dance, and drama, enhanced by costumes, lighting, sound, and modern technology is more than just a feast for the eyes and ears: it is a record and reflection of American history, a tribute to innovation in human expression, an artistic rendering of human emotion, and a look into the soul of our society’s joys and frustrations. Materials and resources provided should assist educators toward integrating course information into their arts, humanities, and social studies lessons at all grade levels.

Opportunities for family members and friends to sign up for the Sight and Sound and Broadway show trips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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SCHEDULE (All Sessions Meet at Penn State Harrisburg, Olmsted Building, Room W-12)

Sunday, June 14
5:00 p.m.: Check in
5:30-8:30 p.m.: Orientation
There’s No Business like Show Business: Historical Backgrounds of the American Musical Theater
“Let’s Start at the Very Beginning”- The Greek, Roman, and European influences; groundwork for course final project

Monday, June 15
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Give My Regards to Broadway: The Variety Show Format
Variety to Vaudeville to Extravanganza: Musical Theatre the American Way

Tuesday, June 16
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’: The Book Musical
The merging of literary influences with popular song and dance, British invasions, and the new millennium

Wednesday, June 17
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Dance: Ten; Looks: Three
A look at the persons involved in creating and performing the musical, from behind the stage, backstage, and center stage; the audition process; actor preparation; “Broadway Idol”- are you the next “triple threat?”

Thursday, June 18
8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Putting It Together
Travel to Sight and Sound Theatre, Strasburg, Pennsylvania for a backstage tour of a Broadway-style facility and a performance of “In the Beginning.”

Friday, June 19
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Another Op’nin’, Another Show: The Broadway Theater Experience in 2009
Financing the Broadway show: the importance of the producer; the out-of town tryout; reclaiming the investment; technical designs of contemporary shows; media and marketing; structure of musical theater pieces; elements of the Broadway show, from ticket purchase to final curtain.

Saturday, June 20
7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Overture
Travel to New York City’s Theater District for a matinee performance of “Billy Elliott” or “Guys and Dolls.”

Sunday, June 21
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Exit Music
Final approval of student projects; course evaluations

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Participants enrolled for academic credit are required to:

• Attend all course sessions
• Read the required text prior to the start of the course
• Submit a self-designed project approved by the instructor by 5:00 p.m. July 3, 2009. (Project designs will vary according to student backgrounds and interests. Models will be presented at the course presession on Sunday, June 14.)

RERQUIRED READING

The following text should be read before the course begins:

Musical Theater: A History, John Kenrick

FACULTY

O. David Deitz, M.Ed, Adjunct Instructor of Music, School of Humanities, Penn State Harrisburg, holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Mansfield State College, where he was selected to the Music Alumni Honor Roll, and a master’s degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Penn State University, where he also completed doctoral studies in Music Education. A 1999 finalist for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Deitz recently retired as choir director at Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg. Concurrent with his teaching career, Deitz performed and/ or directed in excess of 100 musicals at the high school, college, community, and professional levels, in addition to serving as vocal music consultant and recording performer for Sight and Sound Theatre in Strasburg, PA. He currently serves as an adjunct professor of music at Penn State Harrisburg and as a music education student teaching supervisor for both Penn State and Mansfield universities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

About the course:
O. David Deitz
Phone: 717-512-1472
E-mail: odd101@psu.edu

About registration:
Karen Karnes
Continuing Education
Penn State Harrisburg
Phone: 717-948-6536
E-mail: ksk1@psu.edu