Harlem Renaissance
Where did the Harlem Renaissance occur?
In Harlem!
What was the title of Angelina Weld Grimke's play that we read a small excerpt of?
"Rachel"
When was Broadway founded?
1735 - present day!
How would you describe the first musicals?
Super confusing and hard to follow
In musicals most character development is done through...?
Song and Dance
When did the Harlem Renaissance occur
The 1920's (give or take, mostly give)
What was the title of Walter Dean Myers poem that we discussed?
"Harlem"
How many Broadway theatres are there and what are the qualifications?
41 theatres and 500+ seats
Who fixed confusing musicals by pioneering the genre of book musicals?
Jerome Kern
What is a Libretto?
A script for a musical
In your own words, describe the Harlem Renaissance
It is described as a rebirth of black art and culture. It uplifted black Americans, granted them visibility, and broke down stereotypes plaguing them
What were the central themes the protagonist explores in "Rachel"?
Children's innocence, what it means to be a mother, and racial violence/discrimination
Where/what is Broadway
A street in Manhattan
What is a book musical?
A musical in which the songs and dance numbers are fully integrated into a well made story with serious dramatic goals AND which is able to evoke emotion and reaction other than just laughter
How many scenes do most modern musicals have?
Two
What does NAACP stand for?
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples
What was the central theme in Myers, "Harlem"
Black Joy
How did the first musicals differ from the book musicals we know today?
The early musicals had unrelated musical numbers that took away from the story, while book musicals had songs and dance numbers that not only were related to the story, but actually provided a vessel for character development
In your own words, how can music be used to enhance scenes
Music can be used to enhance emotions, tell stories, and give characters a way to transition, realize, or decide something
What themes do show tunes usually convey?
Transition, Realization, Decision
Who did the NAACP commission to write a play that would take public interest away from "The Birth of a Nation"
Angelina Weld Grimke
What did Rachel ultimately decide the role of a mother was in her unjust and racist world?
To not have any children of her own
Major, and minor
Describe the general feelings of BOTH Defying Gravity and Ol' Man River
Defying Gravity has themes of hopefulness, excitement, and independence while Ol' Man River deals with sorrow, coming to terms with a horrible situation, and wishful thinking
What should the end of each scene do?
Project the action forward