The World of the Musical Story:
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016
6-8PM
How do we imagine the world of the musical or opera? How can we use scenery, color, costuming and design to enhance the story? In this workshop, participants work with University of Michigan professor Gary Decker to consider how visual imagery and design shapes the concept of a theatrical opera or musical. We consider concept and audience as we create theatrical world.
Gary Decker has designed scenery or lighting for more than 80 professional and university productions. Recent designs include those for Shoe Man by Jeff Daniels for the Purple Rose Theatre, Dogman’s Last Stand and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom for the Attic Theatre, Cat’s Paw and The Fifth of July for the Boars Head Theatre and Master Harold and the Boys and Agnes of God for the Birmingham Theatre. Feature film work includes The Rosary Murders and Collision Course. Professor Decker’s industrial design clients include General Motors Truck Division, F.T.D., AT&T, Little Caesar’s, and the Broadcast Designers Association.
Staging the Musical Story:
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016
6-8PM
How do we bring the musical to life on the stage? Which comes first, song, choreography, blocking or design concepts? Join University of Michigan Professor Anita Gonzalez for a workshop about ways of staging the musical to reveal story. Bring your staging ideas and experiences to the class as we discuss musical structures and collaborate to stage dance breaks, love songs, and company numbers.
Dr. Gonzalez is a director and writer whose work has appeared on PBS national television and at Lincoln Center Out-of Doors, Dance Theater Workshop, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and other national and international venues. Theatrical plays and musicals that she has authored include Liverpool Trading <->New York (with Richard Aellen), Le Hot Blu, (with composer-writer Ken Lauber), and Ybor City (with composer Dan Furman). She is currently collaborating with Joel Valentin-Martinez on The Living Lakes, a new performance work about migrations along the Midwestern Great Lakes. Gonzalez is the Michigan regional representative for the Dramatist’s Guild, a member of the National Theatre Conference and an Associate Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers.
WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD AT SOO THEATRE 534 ASHMUN STREET SSM, MI 49783
ADMISSSION IS FREE
