With technical and creative discoveries made during the 2020 iteration of Coffeehouse, the idea for a filmed “Winter Production” began to take shape. Combining artistry and scholarship felt a natural fit for the Upper School’s Department of Theatre, tapping into the Department’s classroom curriculum and our own rich history of beautifully realized productions.
The call went out to student artists in February, asking for songs from the 1920s through 1999 and providing an opportunity to explore the development and changes of Musical Comedy as it evolved into Musical Theatre, all crafted before these student artists' births. Coaching sessions occurred weekly, focusing on the musicality of the piece as well as developing a character with a deep understanding of the musical moment’s place within its show. During coaching sessions, members of the technical crew were exploring camera angles and audio needs, while developing unique and specific lighting designs for each performance.
Over the course of the rehearsal process, performers were tasked with researching and creating a dramaturgical preamble to their performances, exploring creators, innovations, and explaining the song's place within the show's larger story. We hope our project offers you knowledge and joy!