CLARTTH009 - From Page to Stage: The Creation of Iconic Broadway Roles
Iconic Broadway roles leap from page to stage in this course exploring glorious and notorious characters. The greatest roles on Broadway are a result of the collaboration of composers, lyricists, librettists, directors and actors. With former professional actress, singer and director Debra Dickinson as your guide, we examine renowned Broadway characters united by specific themes. Encounter the delightful schemers Dolly Levi in “Hello, Dolly!” and Harold Hill in “The Music Man”; dreamers Charity in “Sweet Charity” and Cervantes/Don Quixote in “Man of La Mancha”; and the power-hungry characters Eva Perón in “Evita” and Aaron Burr in “Hamilton.” Classes will include videos, script analysis and details of character preparation. Participants will also be invited to volunteer to bring these iconic roles to life through short script readings in class.
Course Details
Debra Dickinson, M.A., was the artist-teacher of opera studies for acting and movement at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music for nearly three decades, directing 25 productions for the Department of Opera Studies. She was a professional singer and actress in New York for 15 years before starting her career as a director. She performed with Richard Burton on Broadway in “Camelot” and as Guenevere opposite Richard Harris in the subsequent national tour. Ms. Dickinson has taught master classes for Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ebony Opera, served as the acting instructor for Glimmerglass Festival, Brevard Opera and Chautauqua Opera, and was the recipient of the Marcus Bailey and Betty Graves Shelfer Eminent Scholar Chair in Music Theatre at Florida State University. Ms. Dickinson holds a B.S. from Northwestern University and a M.A. from Hunter College in New York City.
On Campus
This course will be delivered on campus / in person. Parking and room information will be sent prior to the class start date.
- Delightful Schemers: Dolly Levi in “Hello, Dolly!” and Harold Hill in "The Music Man”
- Merry Murderesses: Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd” and Velma Kelly in “Chicago”
- Power Mad: Eva Perón in “Evita” and Aaron Burr in “Hamilton”
- Love Triangles: Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera” and King Arthur in “Camelot”
- Dreamers: Charity in “Sweet Charity” and Cervantes/Don Quixote in “Man of La Mancha”
- The Brass Ring: Finch in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl”
- The Show Must Go On: Mama Rose in “Gypsy” and Max Bialystock in “The Producers”
- Optional student script readings