This is the first showcase that I directed in my time at Senzoku Gakuen. The purpose of the showcase is to highlight the work that the students are doing throughout the semester. In previous years, all students took part each summer, but the course has grown so much that there were simply too many students to feature in one show. We decided to split the showcase, so now the Summer Musical Showcase features the Second and Fourth year students, and the Winter Musical Showcase features the First and Third year students.
As a director for this yearly project, I determine the theme/focus, choose shows to study over the course of the semester, develop curriculum around those shows, cast ~150 students in various featured parts, oversee scheduling for four classes and delegate specific teams to choreograph and coach acting/vocals from my incredible team of colleagues. In the final month of the semester, I work with the stage manager to finalize a month of evening rehearsals and coordinate with the orchestrators, sound, and lighting designers about our vision and creative preferences. We have one day in the theater and then two days of four shows!
The highlights of this show for me were the Natasha Pierre section, where we had a glowing orb passed through the audience and onto the stage during the final song, "The Great Comet," a tap version of "Cool" from West Side Story, the stand-alone number "Another Hundred People" (performed by the Second Years) in English and Japanese with a full ensemble depicting the bustling Shibuya Scramble in Tokyo, and the finale mash-up of "This is Me" (Second Years) and "You Will Be Found" (Fourth Years).
As a director for this yearly project, I determine the theme/focus, choose shows to study over the course of the semester, develop curriculum around those shows, cast ~150 students in various featured parts, oversee scheduling for four classes and delegate specific teams to choreograph and coach acting/vocals from my incredible team of colleagues. In the final month of the semester, I work with the stage manager to finalize a month of evening rehearsals and coordinate with the orchestrators, sound, and lighting designers about our vision and creative preferences. We have one day in the theater and then two days of four shows!
The highlights of this show for me were the Natasha Pierre section, where we had a glowing orb passed through the audience and onto the stage during the final song, "The Great Comet," a tap version of "Cool" from West Side Story, the stand-alone number "Another Hundred People" (performed by the Second Years) in English and Japanese with a full ensemble depicting the bustling Shibuya Scramble in Tokyo, and the finale mash-up of "This is Me" (Second Years) and "You Will Be Found" (Fourth Years).
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ACT I (Literary Drama)
Opening Sequence: Another Openin' Another Show There's No Business Like Show Business This is the Greatest Show! Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 Medley: Prologue Charming Sonya Alone Balaga/Abduction The Great Comet Cool (West Side Story) Kiss Me Kate Medley: We Open in Venice Tom, Dick, or Harry So In Love Too Darn Hot |
ACT II (Realistic Drama)
Another Hundred People (Company) All Girl Band (A My Name is Alice) Waitress Medley: What's Inside Opening Up Bad Idea When He Sees Me Never Getting Rid of Me You Matter to Me Everything Changes Gypsy Medley: Everything's Coming Up Roses If Momma Was Married All I Need is the Girl You Gotta Get a Gimmick Rose's Turn This is Me/You Will Be Found Come Alive - Curtain Call |
