Ensemble? Chorus? Yes, Please!

Question often considered by high school musical student. If passed over for a lead part, should I take an ensemble or chorus role?

Ok, so what is that old saying? “There are no small parts. Only small actors”. Well, that’s somewhat true.

I am always interested in hearing about upcoming musicals, and often ask high school students, “What part will you play?”

Many times, I will receive this answer.
“I’m just in the chorus. I’m just in the ensemble.”

Ok guys, first words to go, “I’m just.”

Let’s talk about this chorus that you’re “just in.”

The high school musical chorus or ensemble is perhaps the most important ingredient in your total show recipe. Here’s why.

Yes, your leads and supporting leads do their part, and hopefully they do them well, delivering perfect solos and duets. But it’s the ensemble pieces I notice because it’s the ensemble that can knock your socks off.

Production numbers could not exist without a powerful ensemble. Ensembles often open and can set the tone for a show, whether it’s going to be phenomenal or just mediocre. Chorus can also be fun. Just because you don’t have any lines or a song of your own doesn’t mean you can’t create a fun character of your own.

Study the show, the period or the songs you will be performing. Hello Dolly? Pick a beautiful formal gown with large hat and parasol to demonstrate your Sunday best. Thoroughly Modern Millie? A cute beaded flapper costume and don’t forget a feather for your hair. Fiddler on the Roof? Men explore prayer shawls and beards. Ladies, shawls and costumes of that period. You get the idea.

Obviously, you want to sound your best and dance your best but I also look for presence in chorus members. Do you engage with one another? Do you make it look like you are “in” this play, or are you just standing there because “you’re just in the chorus.”

A few years back I had a student approach me. He tried out for his upcoming musical, but did not get a lead, supporting role or speaking role. He received chorus and dancer.

This student had two days to accept his assigned “part”.

“Honestly Mrs. J, I don’t know if I want to devote so much time for just a chorus role.”

Here was my answer.

“Do you love musical theater? Do you love and enjoy spending time with your friends who are also part of your high school musical? Do you aspire to getting that lead or supporting role someday? My answer is you MOST DEFINITELY want to take a chorus part. Hands down, it is the best jumping off point”.

As an underclassman, chorus roles are the BEST way to learn what it takes to put together a musical with your fellow cast mates. You’ll learn perfect harmony and choreography. You’ll learn blocking, set design, scenery and costumes. You will learn every step of how to put together a successful musical performance. You’ll be able to study your show’s leads. What makes their performance special? Take mental notes and perhaps next year on opening night you will be standing where they are.

In the mean time, chorus and ensemble is the glue that holds your musical together. Know that show stopping production number? Chances are ensemble members are part of it. We’ll talk a bit more about production numbers later.

I love chorus parts especially for theater newbie’s because it introduces you to high school musical theater. You might give it a try and find it’s not for you, and that’s fine. However, I guarantee you’ll have the time of your life and learn what real teamwork can achieve.

My young friend also received a dancing part. Turns out, he had a show stopping dance sequence with two other boys during a phenomenal production number. He was already a fantastic dancer, a talent he didn’t know he possessed till the show’s choreographer brought it out of him.  I am sure I’ll see him in a lead soon.

Your High School Musical: Welcoming New Performers

I originally wrote this blog for high school musical directors, but high school musical students this includes you as well. In fact,when it comes to welcoming new students to musical theater, you're the one to make a difference. Here are some great ideas to make the "newbies" feel right at home, and make your cast feel like family in no time. 

Spring, 1977. I was a shy, high school kid in a brand new school, a huge consolidated Catholic school of over 500 students. I so missed my tiny, inner city Catholic school where everyone in my class knew every student’s name. Suddenly, here I was a small fish in a big pond. How would I ever make one friend let alone see my old friends, many who went on to other schools when our school closed?  Where was my place in this big, scary new school?

You can probably guess what I’m going to say next. I discovered high school musical theater-and it changed my life. A new friend at my new school joined our cast of “The Music Man” that spring and encouraged me to do the same. “We need chorus people," she said. Because I loved theater, and always “dreamed” what it would be like to be on Broadway someday, I said “yes”.

It was the BEST newbie welcome ever, and BEST decision I ever made. Suddenly there were many new and wonderful friends and they all loved theater, just like me. And if you can believe it, we are still friends today. Check my Facebook page and you’ll see. My love of musical theater introduced me to friends who are still near and dear to me some 40 years later.

As director, I’m sure you love seeing new kids join your  musical each year. Most directors are glad to see new students at auditions and want them to do well. You want people involved in your shows and love when new people join because news flash, the high school musical career is a short one, about four years, six years if you welcome 7^th graders. As seniors and last year’s leads graduate there is always the need for new cast members. So it goes without saying, you want to welcome new performers.

The key is once you get the kids, you want to keep them through senior year and you want their high school theater experience to be great one, one they’ll remember the rest of their lives. Wouldn’t it be great if they were still friends with their fellow cast mates some 40 years later? Welcoming your new theater kids is easier than you think and your seasoned and veteran performers, your returnees, are a huge help in this department.

New performers usually come from the lower grades, chorus or ensemble members, or the occasional student with the awesome voice who finally was brave enough to audition and won a feature role. It could also be a person new to your school that was active in theater at their old school but new to your theater program and your musical kids. The wonderful thing about new performers, they greatly add to your high school musical experience.

AS a high school musical awards adjudicator do I notice the casts that don’t seem to work well together? Yep, it’s obvious. Encourage your students from day one to check egos at the door. Leads, welcome the new people, and new people study your leads and veteran cast members. Everyone should lend his or her best efforts to EVERY scene.

At a recent performance, I saw an ensemble lend so much to a supporting player’s comedic scene. It truly made the scene the hysterical mishmash it was supposed to be. The supporting actor then managed to get the entire ensemble and him in a rousing tap dance number. Perfection. If that wasn’t team work, I’m not sure what is.

As a director, you and your students can actually with a few fun activities, begin to bring your cast together, especially the newcomers, from day one.

After you announce your cast, have a pre- show cast party. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can even schedule it after the first read through. Pizza parties and soft drinks work great and make sure to leave plenty of time for the kids to mingle.

After the party, gather the kids in a circle on stage and have them go around and introduce themselves ,and mention the part they will be playing. Maybe they can add a bit about their high school musical experience. Keep it informal and fun. Playing the score in the background  is always a great idea, too. Singing along, definitely encouraged.

One drama teacher friend does a variation on this, and gives the kids name tags with a big question mark on them and the kids have to go around and guess the part each person is playing. The person gives his or her real first name and a “clue” about their part. Fun.

If your show also happens to be a movie, have movie night with snacks, and show the film. Recently two parent volunteers offered their home for just this activity during their daughter’s production of “Grease”. Simple snacks, and John Travolta and Olivia Newton John on a large flat screen TV. Great success. Kids were laughing, talking, dancing and singing the score by the end of the night.

Another director I know assigns cast buddies. He takes his veteran performers, students who have performed in past musicals, and assigns them a new cast member. The new person can rely on their buddy for rehearsal information, and the buddy can teach them about their upcoming musical.

Newcomers always have questions. What does the term blocking mean on rehearsal schedule? What is show week like? How do you deal with nerves on opening night? Just having someone remind you to be sure to pack extra snacks and bring plenty of homework to work on, during “hell week”, is a great help.

A cast buddy immediately becomes for the newcomer, a new theater friend. They are a familiar and friendly face during musical. Best of all when you become friends with a cast buddy you become friends with all of his or her friends- so instant new theater friends. My director friend usually has a buddy sign up sheet available the same time he posts cast list and NEVER lacks for volunteers. The kids are always happy to help.

Feed me the lines groups. This is another goodie. The kids can organize small groups to study lines together (feeding is a huge help). For chorus or ensemble kids,  they can put together extra dance or vocal practices.

Get the kids involved in set building, publicity and ticket sales. Painting sets is always fun and it introduces kids to the entire theater experience. Working on publicity, maybe selling tickets after school, or working on the program book is another fun activity. One school I know holds a contest for cast members to see who can sell the most ads. The winner gets all kinds of great gift cards.

With just a little creativity, every kid, old and new will feel like a true musical theater kid before show time, and a cast that feels like family by opening night, will truly shine on stage.

Ten Shows: Oldies but Goodies You'll Love to Perform

We all love today’s popular high school musicals. Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, Addams Family.  You probably could add many more.

There are so many wonderful classic musicals to add to this list, however,oldies but goodies, and the great news is many high schools are still performing them today.

So, in no particular order, here are some  timeless musicals you will love to perform. Is your 2018 school musical on this list?

West Side Story- The Great composer Leonard Bernstein would have been 100 years old this year. His beautiful musical is timeless. Who would have thought Romeo and Juliet brought to the New York City Streets. And the score...”Tonight” “America”. Simply the best.

The Music Man- We all love the story of professor Harold Hill and Miss Marion the Librarian. I have a special place in my heart for this one. Was my first high school musical. The score is a blast, “76 Trombones”  “Till there was you” and it’s a great ensemble musical, so perfect for newbies

Grease- Who can forget Sandy, Danny and Rizzo and you just got to love doing the Hand Jive and remembering those summer nights. Great bit parts too. I personally love the teen angel. You can have a blast with that one.  Grease is just Fun, Fun, and Fun.

The King and I- Love this musical as an all school project because you can incorporate your lower grades as well. It also has two wonderful acting opportunities in Anna and the King, Both strong characters and a real stretch for high school students, but amazing to parts to play. Don’t forget the showstopper number “Shall we Dance”.

South Pacific- Another special musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Great songs (“Some Enchanted Evening”, “I’m in Love with a wonderful Guy”) but it’s the haunting story of prejudice, and the horrors of war that touch your heart. Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals always make you think, and this one surely does. A timeless classic.

Hello Dolly- LOVE this show for their over the top production numbers especially at the Harmonia Gardens (“Hello Dolly”) but it also has the most kick ass ensemble pieces. Sunday Best, Before the Parade Passes By. Great show for a female lead that has LOTS of stage presence and a booming voice. Dolly is simply a hoot to play.

Anything Goes-  Fun score, “You’re the Top” Friendship” and” Blow Gabriel Blow” but this musical also has some fun supporting  players and also serves as another great ensemble piece. Note you could work some tap dancing in there too. If you’re a dancing fanatic, this one is for you

42^nd Street- Dancers also love 42^nd Street. This musical, not as well known, is still a great high school favorite. Peggy Sawyer is a fun first role for any musical theater student looking to “try for that lead” this year. And the score? “We’re in the Money” and “Lullaby of Broadway”. Get those character shoes out and get tapping.

Fiddler on the Roof- Love this musical for its acting. The lead character of Tevye is probably as challenging as any role. But what a role to bring out your best singing and acting abilities. The supporting characters from mother Golde to the three daughters tug at your heartstrings as well. Throw in a wonderful score, “Sunrise Sunset”, “Matchmaker” and this is a real winner.

Sound of Music I saved my personal favorite for last. It’s probably one of the best loved musicals and performed in hundreds of schools each year. Ask any high school musical alum and chances are they were in this musical. What can you not like? So many wonderful and different parts from a zest for life Maria, to a strong willed Captain, seven precocious children, a bevy of nuns, a rich baroness…well you get the picture. The score? Bet you can sing every song (always the sign of a great musical) and a heartwarming story of courage as well. SOM is the whole package and a Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.