High School Musical: Ingredients for Success (01:06)

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Educators need time, a writer, director, orchestrator and music director, and "unrelenting enthusiasm" in order to put on a high school musical.

Elements of a Musical (01:30)

A high school musical runs about 90 minutes. Software is available for scriptwriters that takes the work out of formatting.

High School Musical: Timetable (00:43)

Before writing a musical, create a realistic timetable. Keep work and personal life in balance when engaged in a production project. Plan for 15-18 months for script, score, and production.

Musical: Writing Process (01:37)

The writing process can include brainstorming and cork board for organization of ideas. The film host demonstrates these processes.

Importance of Audience (00:59)

Consider the audience during the writing process. An audience must empathize, like, and even care about the characters, particularly the protagonist.

Elements of Musical: Conflict (01:10)

High school musicals should be spiced up with a mix of teen and adult humor as well as perspective. Conflicts create tension that holds the attention of the audience.

Elements of Plot Development: Part 1 (01:28)

The six key points of the plot include a preliminary situation, initial incident, and rising action. Dramatic scenes from a high school musical illustrate these points.

Elements of Plot Development: Part 2 (01:36)

The six key points of the plot include the climax, falling action, and resolution. Dramatic scenes from a high school musical illustrate these points.

Development of Musical Score (01:25)

Lyrics may be written before or after the score is written. The orchestrator must know the context of each scene, who is involved in the scene, action of characters, and where the song takes the characters emotionally.

Process of Writing Score (01:27)

Rhythm and music can add to a character's emotion rather than drive it. Musicians brainstorm in the process of writing the music. Choose instruments that fit mood and character.

Music for Scene Changes (01:04)

Taking a sliver from each song in the score, the composer compiles his overture. Scene change music is often the last to be written, as it may require studying the script, sets, and/or rehearsals.

Production of Musical (00:45)

The creative minds of young actors provide creative input for the musical production.

Production Schedule (01:44)

Production time takes around 2-3 months. Benchmarks for this 90-day timetable include securing assistants, reserving rehearsal spaces, preparing for auditions, and blocking script. Fill key positions.

Audition Preparation (01:06)

Two weeks prior to actual auditions, post colorful, inviting signs all over the school, announcing auditions.

How to Block a Script (01:51)

Blocking is like playing chess. Each move influences all the other characters. Blocking is essential for the choreographer.

Auditions (01:13)

At the auditions, the students read from selected scenes, sing a familiar song, and perform a short dance routine.

Master Audition Form (01:41)

Students fill out a master audition form to provide contact information, time availability, role preference, preference for other types work associated with the musical such as the tech crew.

Callbacks and Cast Finalization (01:35)

Students rotate through three sets of auditions, one for speaking, singing, and dancing. Respective directors choose who to call back. After callbacks, post the list of cast assignments and set a date for the first rehearsal.

Rehearsals and Tech (01:46)

Create a rehearsal schedule. Review the script. Compile a list in a spreadsheet of setting, time, songs, and characters. Plan to rehearse scenes that contain the same actors.

Rehearsal Schedule (00:59)

The director blocks each scene with the actors. Staging will be second nature to the actors once they go off book. Push students to develop their characters independently. Acts 1 and 2 should be memorized by weeks 4 or 5.

Characters Come to Life (01:04)

Once the actors have their lines down, their characters begin to come to life.

Production Crew and Directors (01:07)

Throughout rehearsal weeks, key members of the production staff work hard. These include the choreographer, vocal director, pit director, set director, costumes and props director, and stage crew.

Publicity (01:12)

The publicity crew writes press releases, take photographs, and prepares and distributes fliers.

Tech Week (00:59)

During tech week, actors get into their costumes and run through the entire show. Encourage students to step up, make decisions, and solve the problems without adult intervention.

Final Dress Rehearsal (00:44)

Performing before a live audience pushes the cast to focus, boosts their energy level, and helps them with timing. Invite an audience for final dress rehearsal.

Opening Night (01:47)

On opening night, the show is officially out of the director's hands. Students should come in early for make-up and costumes as well as vocal warm-up.

Culmination of Hard Work (01:12)

High school students are capable of giving peak performances. After 2-3 months of hard work, they enjoy live performances.