{"id":3126,"date":"2021-04-25T17:06:34","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T00:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colleges.claremont.edu\/thehive\/?p=3126"},"modified":"2021-04-25T17:09:23","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T00:09:23","slug":"breaking-tradition-and-utilizing-creativity-in-musical-theater-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/colleges.claremont.edu\/thehive\/breaking-tradition-and-utilizing-creativity-in-musical-theater-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Tradition and Utilizing Creativity in Musical Theater Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Nick Endicott<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

[Image: The students of Musical Theater Performance dance to “Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets)”]<\/p><\/div>Last semester, Giovanni Ortega<\/a> of Pomona applied for a Course Development Grant from the Hive to assist in producing the Theater Department\u2019s mainstage musical, Little Women. But due to constraints posed by COVID, the production had to be pushed to the spring. Not letting the allotment go to waste, the grant was instead applied to two classes: Ortega\u2019s Musical Theater Performance, and Voice of Musical Theater, taught by Anne Harley of Scripps.<\/p>\n

The results were fantastic and fascinating<\/a>: an array of video content largely self-produced by the students in the circumstances of their lockdown. Although they would be performing in a relatively novel style, Ortega\u2019s students had their work cut out for them, starting with writing lyrics to an original song. The songs were then set to music by one of four professional composers, a step made possible by the Hive\u2019s funding. Through class, the students developed their performances with choreography and character development, until they were ready to record their songs and accompanying videos.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

[Image: Lila Avenda\u00f1o Dreyfuss performs “Sad Girl Summer, Hot Girl Winter”]<\/p><\/div>A viewing of this piece not only provides insight into how the pandemic had affected these students\u2019 lives, but it also demonstrates a further analysis of themselves on an individual level. My conversation with Ortega revealed what sparked such thoughtful performances: \u201cthe theme that I gave was, how do you fit in society during these times of COVID?\u201d<\/p>\n

For one student, that prompt became a powerful ballad about environmental degradation, for another, an interrogation of her Jewish identity. But there was one thing all of these performances shared, organically emerging from the community who elected to take the class. \u201cFemale identity is a theme throughout the whole piece,\u201d Ortega said. \u201cIt comes up when you create that space with these phenomenal women.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because theater is a fundamentally physical art form, conducting this course over Zoom generated its share of challenges. For one thing, the process took much longer. For another: \u201cHow are you going to vocalize people?\u201d Professor Ortega filled in these gaps in part by inviting guest speakers from the industry, as well as liberal usage of one-on-one calls. \u201cBeing on a one-on-one basis, the energy is really different.\u201d It allowed Ortega to connect with his students more personally, which is crucial for this kind of work.<\/p>\n

Another upside? \u201cI\u2019ve seen that the creativity of the participants is utilized to a T. You\u2019re giving them more freedom, and you\u2019re seeing more of their creativity.\u201d Not to mention that \u201cthe pandemic really allowed us to be in the moment, and not plan too far ahead\u201d and \u201cthe separation made people more vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

[Image: Cathy Cai performs “A Song for COVID”]<\/p><\/div>In watching their final project, it is clear to see that Ortega\u2019s students triumphed over the worst of circumstances, producing a creative work that showcases the best of what theater can be. It is 30 joyful minutes and I highly recommend taking the time to watch it<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition, the musical Little Women<\/a> will be streaming live from May 6th to 9th. If you\u2019re wondering how they managed to pull that off, Ortega tells me \u201cit\u2019s a mixed media of green screen, virtual effects, and live footage.\u201d Although I\u2019m not quite sure how to picture that, it is sure to be another innovative and inspiring production from the Theater Department. Make sure to mark your calendars for Little Women<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And until then, the final project from Musical Theater Performance is available to watch here<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Nick Endicott Last semester, Giovanni Ortega of Pomona applied for a Course Development Grant from the Hive to assist in producing the Theater Department\u2019s mainstage musical, Little Women. 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