BTEC PERFORMING ARTS – RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

Research the musical: FAME The Musical

Research Assignment: You will research the performance values of FAME The Musical in order to understand the requirements for you as an actor performing in this musical.

The Musical:

  • Give an outline in your own words, of the plot of the stage musical.
  • What are the main differences between the stage musical and the film?

The Context:

  • When is Fame set?
  • What was going on politically and socially at the time in America? Give details
  • How is this evident in the stage musical?
  • How would you need to take this into account in your performance?

The Performance Demands:

  • What is the performance style of the musical? Can you give some examples?
  • What are the demands on you as a performer for all of the main roles in the musical? Look at accents, attitude, movement, physicality for:
  • Schlomo Metzenbaum
  • Carmen Diaz
  • Tyrone Jackson
  • Nick Piazza
  • Serena Katz
  • Mabel Washington
  • Iris Kelly
  • Grace 'Lambchops' Lamb
  • José 'Joe' Vegas
  • Goodman 'Goody' King
  • Miss Esther Sherman
  • Ms. Greta Bell
  • Mr. Myers
  • Mr. Sheinkopf

The Style:

  • 5 annotated pictures from difference performances (commenting on use of space, costume, set, acting)

The songs from the musical: Here, you need to research the details for each song in Fame The Musical in preparation for performance as a singer

Listen to each song (the full soundtrack is available on YouTube) and research the following points:

  • Tempo (e.g. is it upbeat or a ballad)
  • Song style e.g. Jazz, rock, pop etc
  • Instrumentation e.g. drums, guitars, saxophone, keyboards
  • Lyrical content – what are they singing about?
  • Is it a solo, duet, group song?
  • When does the song take place in the show – any notes about the plot or character.

When you have done this then look at the following songs which you will be working on as a group in preparation for your performance

‘I pray I make PA/Hard Work’ and ‘There she goes/Fame’:

Look at a range of examples of these two songs ‘I pray I make PA/Hard Work’ and ‘There she goes/Fame’ on YouTube, you need to be able to discuss a range of different recordings/performances. After watching them, write about:

  • The performance style
  • The singing style
  • Choreography
  • How it is staged/set
  • Use of facial expression
  • How the performance links to the context of the musical
  • Please reference all of your work correctly. See Attached sheet.

THIS IS ALL DUE IN ON YOUR FIRST MUSICAL THEATRE LESSON IN SEPTEMBER 2016