While I have been performing and teaching for quite some time now, it is true that I am newer to directing. Although, I feel as though I have been directing in small doses for many years.
I am very passionate about musical theatre as a high art form. I began my artistic life as a dancer first, instrumentalist second, and then discovered singing and musical theatre. Due to this path, I feel things in my body first and am moved by music in a way that feels very organic and honest to me. In my directing, I strive to infuse the same organic movement and honesty.
I think my career as an educator helps me as a director. I ask questions and try to encourage actors to come to conclusions on their own by setting very clear, well-laid context.
I believe if we start here, but with flexibility in the process, beautiful collaborations can evolve into something truly unique and magical.
~ Marita
I am very passionate about musical theatre as a high art form. I began my artistic life as a dancer first, instrumentalist second, and then discovered singing and musical theatre. Due to this path, I feel things in my body first and am moved by music in a way that feels very organic and honest to me. In my directing, I strive to infuse the same organic movement and honesty.
I think my career as an educator helps me as a director. I ask questions and try to encourage actors to come to conclusions on their own by setting very clear, well-laid context.
I believe if we start here, but with flexibility in the process, beautiful collaborations can evolve into something truly unique and magical.
~ Marita
MUSICAL SHOWCASES - SENZOKU
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Part of my position as an Associate Professor of Music in the Musical Course at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music is creating and directing two large-scale musical showcases per year. The process of choosing a theme for the cast of students involved, finding and arranging sheet music, casting in order to feature every student in some way, and creating a semester of curriculum based on the content, has been one of the highlights of my time here.
When I came to Senzoku, there was only one showcase every summer. The First Year students performed one short medley from Beauty and the Beast, and all other content was divided amongst the remaining classes. It quickly became apparent that one show would no longer be able to feature the growing student population. We divided the classes and now perform two showcases per year, on top of the usual main stage productions (by audition). The Summer Musical Showcase features the Second and Fourth Years and runs on a theme chosen each year, depending on the strengths of each class of students. In the Winter, I wanted to encourage a process-focused curriculum and musical theatre education for both the students and audience. So, in the second semester of the year, the First Year class studies the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein and performs works from Oklahoma!, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music. The Third Years study a different songwriting team or individual who has changed the course of musical theatre history: Kander & Ebb, The Sherman Brothers, Stephen Schwartz, Jerry Herman, or Andrew Lloyd Webber. Most of the professional productions in Japan are contemporary works, so this exposes the audience to the possibly unfamiliar, but important roots of American and British Musical Theatre. While I do not stage every number in the Showcases, I do share my vision with our fantastic team of faculty and offer suggestions as to why I chose certain numbers and casting. I cast the show; prepare and organize curriculum and rehearsal scheduling; coordinate with designers, staff, orchestrators, and student leaders; vocal direct and stage at least one section from each grade; delegate acting/vocal coaching from collaborative faculty for remaining sections; direct the overall look of the show and add transitions and finishing touches. |
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