Ordway Original 2019: 42nd Street

In the summer of 2019 the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts produced a re-imagined contemporary version of the Broadway classic, 42nd Street. Teeming with new jazz-funk orchestrations, simply stunning tap dancing, and innovative designs, the show was filled with the show-biz glamour that audiences love.

To help bring the story to life, the Ordway partnered with Minnesota Playlist to create a podcast that gave listeners a look at the behind-the-scene details of 42nd Street.

“The idea behind the podcast was to talk about how the creative process worked and to highlight the phenomenal work of local and national artists,” said Kelli Foster Warder, the Ordway’s Director of Education and Associate Producer.

Throughout the six-episode broadcast, the Ordway team, actors, the show’s director, and choreographer shared their stories, insights and dreams for the production.

All episodes can be heard for FREE at the following link: https://anchor.fm/playlistpresents

Photo by Rich Ryan

Photo by Paul Tate dePoo III

Episode 1: Rod Kaats, the Ordway’s Producing Artistic Director talked about Broadway at the Ordway and the reimagined production of the classic Broadway musical 42nd Street.

Episode 2: Performers Phillip Attmore and Kimberly Immanuel, who played Billy and Peggy in the Ordway’s production of 42nd Street, discuss diverse representation on stage and recreating these iconic characters in the exciting new version of the classic musical.

Episode 3: Actors Bekah Gudim, Maddie Hillligoss, and Kelli Foster Warder talked about tap dancing, the prominence it has had in their lives, and in the brand new story of the beloved Broadway classic 42nd Street – an Ordway Original. When actors Lamont Brown and Annie Jo Ermel joined the conversation, the pair discussed their work in both the Chicago production and at the Ordway.

Episode 4: Choreographer Jared Grimes and Kelli Foster Warder discussed how the show was created for the feet of the unique dancers, how the show was an the opportunity to open up a gateway to tap for the people of this generation, and Jared shared what 42nd Street meant to him.

Episode 5: Kelli Foster Warder talked with 42nd Street Director Michael Heitzman during this episode about his vision of this remastered production.

Episode 6: Part I: Emilio Sosa, the costume designer for 42nd Street chatted with Kelli Foster Warder about his background and how he tells stories through costumes.

Episode 6 Part II: Director Michael Heitzman, Choreographer Jared Grimes, and Kelli Foster Warder discuss the how the one-of-a-kind production of 42nd Street came to life.

Photo by Paul Tate dePoo III

Post by Toya Stewart-Downey, Ordway Director of Communications and Inclusion

Lesson Plan: 3 Tips on Singing Musical Theater Songs

Ordway Teaching Artist Andy Kust leads you through 3 simple steps to creating a musical theater vocal performance

Check out our Challenge Activity at the end of the lesson and put these concepts to work for you!

Video Lesson Guide

1. Choose Songs To Which You Connect

• One of the most critical elements when singing a musical theater song is that you, the singer, is able to connect to the words that you’re singing. At the most basic level, we have to treat the lyric as text and the audience has to see the singer creating these thoughts authentically for the very first time, during every performance or audition. 
• The way to encourage this connection is by taking initiative when you choose your repertoire. It’s a huge time commitment, but a great investment to really listen and sing through a ton of songs to find those 3 or 4 pieces that really fit you like a glove. Look at new composers as well as shows that were perhaps nominated for Tony Awards, but didn’t win….
• When you approach the character that is singing the song that you chose, assess which personality traits of your own that you need to enhance, as well as the personality traits that you need to turn down in order to serve the story. We all have a common well of emotions that we have access to - it’s just a matter of being specific when you choose which ones to use for each song. 

2. Use All The Tools The Composer Gives You

• When you choose a musical theater song to sing, there are a ton of musical elements that we can tune-in to, like melody, rhythm, song form, volume, harmonies, meter, range, and so many others! Each of these elements can clue you in to the composer’s intent, and can help you create interesting, nuanced, detailed performances. 
• If you just examine the rhythms, look at what words have been assigned to shorter rhythms and what words have been given longer, sustained phrases. A purposeful composer would give more important thoughts more time, so in general, the longer a note is held, the more thought and emotional weight the should apply to it. 

3. Enhance The Relationship Between Your Singing and Speaking Voice

• This is a topic that not many coaches talk about, but it is so essential to being a musical theater actor. Your singing voice and your speaking voice should share as many characteristics as possible. Why, you ask? Because when a character goes from speaking in a scene to singing in a song, the bridge between those two sounds needs to be as well-constructed as possible, thus making it believable that the character breaks into song without sounding like a completely different person. 
• The first step of this is to choose a phrase from one of your songs and start in the middle of your range by speaking the phrase. Then, without changing the tone color of your voice, add the prescribed pitches. Go back and forth with this until you can feel the similarities between the two elements. Once you’re comfortable with this, start to add more musicality to the phrase until it feels performative. 
• The ultimate goal is to be able to slip in and out of singing and speaking without the audience really hearing the difference. The “Dear Evan Hansen” original cast is filled with actors who are masters at this craft. Give them a listen!

Challenge Activity

TRY IT:  Find a recording of your favorite Musical Theater song, and a copy of the song lyrics.  First look at the lyrics: what emotions do the lyrics remind you of?  If you were composing this piece, what lyrics would you emphasize? Would you speak any of the lyrics? Then, listen to the recording, noting how the artist interpreted this piece.  Compare and contrast your interpretation with the artist's interpretation.

Arts Brain Break: Quote of the Day

Everyone needs a brain break now and then- why not use that break to express your creativity?  Arts Brain Break is your source for quick activities to recharge your mind and spirit.

Activity: Quote of the Day

1. Pick out a favorite quote from a musical, actor, Broadway creator or just about the Arts in general
2. Brainstorm the reasons why that quote is important to you- does it remind you of someone special? Bring back memories of a favorite place or time? Inspire you to be a creative person? 
3. Think about how you might artistically represent this quote.  You can draw a picture, write a story, write a song- the possibilities are limitless! 

Here is an example: 

One of my favorite quotes about the Arts is from Albert Einstein-  "Logic will get you from A-Z, imagination will get you everywhere"

First, I brainstormed all of the ways that this quote is important and relevant to me:

 Next, I thought about different ways I could artistically represent the quote:

After reviewing my brainstorm list, I decided to make a drawing:

How will you represent your favorite quote?

Send a copy of your creation to ordwayeducation@ordway.org or tag the Ordway on social media with the hashtag #ordwayschooled- you may just see it on one of our channels!

Musical of the Week!: In The Heights

Photo by Rich Ryan

In this feature, Musical of the Week!, the Ordway Education team is highlighting past Ordway Originals. Join us as we take a deep dive into the story, themes and characters of these favorite musicals.

This week, we're taking a look at the Ordway's 2017 production of In the Heights.

Over two years, the Ordway and Teatro del Pueblo collaborated to produce West Side Story and In the Heights at the Ordway - working together on casting, creative direction, community engagement, marketing and educational initiatives. Core to this collaboration was to establish an equitable and transparent partnership between the two organizations, starting with bottom line discussions and clarity of roles and responsibilities. Many lessons were learned along the way, as well as outcomes achieved, including the offering of matinees for schools, a tour to Dayton Ohio of In the Heights, professional growth and development for artists and administrators and in creative teams and casts that represented the racial and ethnic diversity of the artists who stories were being told. "- Shelley Quiala, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement

Content below is adapted from the Ordway's In the Heights Study Guide- click here to view the full guide.

Story:  

In the Heights centers on Usnavi, who owns his family’s bodega in Washington Heights. Through the eyes of Usnavi, the show weaves together the stories of the residents of Washington Heights: Nina, home from her freshman year of college, struggles to reconcile her family’s expectations with her desires; Benny, her boyfriend, has aspirations of being a business owner; Daniela, a hairdresser, dreams of making an affluent life for herself in downtown; and Abuela Claudia does her best to hold her family and culture together in her new country while still longing for her life in Cuba. All of these characters exist within a larger drama: which of Usnavi’s customers holds the winning $96,000 lottery ticket that was purchased in his bodega? 

Central Themes:

Family, Community, “What is Home?”, Latinx Culture, Immigrant Communities

Musical Genres:

Latin, Afro-Caribbean, Salsa, Hip Hop, Rap, Pop

2008 Broadway Cast Album is available on Spotify

Deep Dive Enrichment: The Music and Language of IN THE HEIGHTS

Characters:

Photo by Rich Ryan

Usnavi De La Vega: Usnavi is the 24 year old owner of De La Vega’s Bodega. His Dominican Republic immigrant parents passed away, so he lives with Abuela Claudia.  He is the narrator who sets the pace for the stories of the residents of Washington Heights.


Nina Rosario: The daughter of Kevin and Camilla, Nina has just completed her freshman year at Stanford University. She is a first generation college student, and represents the opportunity that exists outside of Washington Heights.   

Benny: Benny works for the Rosarios as a cab driver. He and Usnavi are best friends, and he eventually falls in love with Nina. He sees a future for Nina and him through becoming a businessman.
Daniela: Daniela owns and runs her own salon. Due to the rising price of rent, however, she is being forced out of her successful business. 

Abuela Claudia: The matriarch of the neighborhood, Abuela Claudia raised Usnavi after the death of his parents.  She emigrated to “The Heights” at a young age from Cuba, and has committed her life to helping those in a similar situation.

Activities and Lessons: 

Photo by Rich Ryan

Activity for Students and Parents:
Recommended for Grades K-5

Create a play or musical about your neighborhood.

• What would be the title?
• Create a character list with descriptions. Who would live within this world?
• What would the central plot be that would convey life in your neighborhood?
• Describe or draw the scenic design and set.
• Describe or draw the characters’ costumes.

Share your picture, description, or set design with us!
Send an email to ordwayeducation@ordway.org or Tag #ordwayschooled 

Lesson Plan for Teachers and Parents: 
Recommended for Grades 6-12 

Objective: Students will explore how a musical is developed from a literary text or historical event.

Materials:

• computer
• a list of literary texts students have read through their regular curriculum
• The Kennedy Center’s ArtsEdge’s “Developing a Musical” Handout (http://bit.ly/QrGcB5)

Instructions: 

1. Remind students that many Broadway shows are derived from literary works (e.g. Once on this Island, The Color Purple.) Explain to students that it is now their turn to pick a literary text to turn into a popular musical.
2. If possible, divide the class into virtual groups of two or three. Share with students your list of literary texts and the “Developing a Musical” handout.
3. In those groups, ask students to select one literary work. Then have them brainstorm the various aspects that would be needed to stage this literary piece using the prompts from the “Developing a Musical” handout.
4. Ask each group to share their findings with the class. After each presentation, lead a discussion with the students on the possible opportunities and challenges that may exist with each adaptation. 

We'd love to hear from you! Let us know how you adapted this lesson to make it work in your online learning! Email us at OrdwayEducation@ordway.org. 

Video Feature:

Rush Benson and Renee Guitar were in the ensemble of In the Heights at the Ordway- check out their Musical Theater Dance combo to a great song from the show.

2015 Ordway Musical Theater Camps

Triple Threat Training
Musical Theater Intensive | Grades 9-12
August 3-7 | Tuition $450*

• An intensive professional musical theater training program designed for motivated young artists
• Learn from a team of experienced professionals, instructors, and guest artists
• Hone your vocal, stage, and dance techniques in a professional atmosphere
• Build your skill set for auditioning, knowledge of musical theater history, and character development

Auditions:           

• Applicants must complete a registration form, prepare a one-minute monologue, 32 bars of an upbeat musical theater song, and a short dance combination of 4 counts of 8. 
• Email a complete registration form and a youtube.com or vimeo.com link to your audition video to apost@ordway.org
• Video auditions will be accepted through March 31, 2015.

 

Rising Star (NEW!)
Musical Theater Camp | Grades 5-8
August 10-14 | Tuition $450*

• All ability levels welcome
• Explore the elements of musical theater with instructors and guest artists
• Develop and refine skills for acting, singing, and dancing
• Learn excerpts, songs, and choreography from Broadway's greatest musicals
• No auditions necessary

Register by calling 651.282.3115. Registration will be accepted

*A limited number of scholarships will be offered based on financial need.

A Christmas Story Workshop and Lunch

Last week, Lisa Bartholomew Given, dance captain of A Christmas Story, the Musical, taught participants choreography from the show!

Lisa Bartholomew Given teaches participants                                                          Photo by Alan Post

A Christmas Story, the Musical participants                                                           Photo by Alan Post

A Christmas Story, the Musical participants                                                           Photo by Alan Post

Lisa Bartholomew Given teaches participants                                                          Photo by Alan Post

A Christmas Story, the Musical participants                                                           Photo by Alan Post

Cast members from A Christmas Story, the Musical joined participants following the workshop to hang out and eat lunch together.

A Christmas Story, the Musical cast and workshop participants                               Photo by Alan Post

To find out more about Musical Theater Training opportunities like this one, visit http://www.ordway.org/education/musical-theater-training.