🎭 “I Want” Song

A song where the character explains their main dream, goal, or desire.
Usually appears near the start of a musical and sets up their journey.

Examples:

• “Part of Your World” – The Little Mermaid

• “The Wizard and I” – Wicked

💔 Ballad

A slow, emotional song expressing deep feelings such as love, sadness, or longing.
Often powerful and dramatic.

Examples:

• “On My Own” – Les Misérables

• “I Dreamed a Dream” – Les Misérables

🎭 Character Song

A song that reveals a character’s personality, traits, habits, or background.
It helps the audience understand who they are.

Examples:

• “Gaston” – Beauty and the Beast

• “My Shot” – Hamilton

😂 Comic Song

A humorous or character-driven song designed to entertain and make the audience laugh.
May include exaggerated acting or physical comedy.

Examples:

• “Adelaide’s Lament” – Guys and Dolls

• “When I’m Cleaning Windows” – Crazy for You

😡 Rage / Anger Song

A powerful song expressing frustration, anger, or rebellion.
Often vocally intense and emotionally charged.

Examples:

• “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” – Dreamgirls

• “World Burn” – Mean Girls

💕 Love Song

A romantic solo expressing feelings for another character.
Can be hopeful, joyful, or heartbreaking.

Examples:

• “All I Ask of You” – The Phantom of the Opera

• “Some Enchanted Evening” – South Pacific

💪 Power Anthem

An uplifting, high-energy song showing strength, confidence, or determination.
Often a big vocal showcase moment.

Examples:

• “Defying Gravity” – Wicked

• “This Is Me” – The Greatest Showman

🤔 Reflective / Realisation Song

A song where the character has a moment of understanding or change.
Often marks a turning point in the story.

Examples:

• “She Used to Be Mine” – Waitress

• “Being Alive” – Company

🎤 Opening Solo

The first major solo in a musical that introduces the character and setting.
Helps the audience understand the world of the show.

Examples:

• “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” – Oklahoma!

• “Alexander Hamilton” – Hamilton

TRANSLATE

This is the same criteria as pantomime, for which you described what makes pantomime, a pantomime! You have to do the same thing, but for your solo song. E.g. What are the stylistic conventions of your song? What makes the song you have chosen?

Consider the following for both the original musical and your interpretation:

.

Song Type & Dramatic Function

• What type of solo is it? (e.g. “I Want” song, ballad, character song, power anthem)

• Where does it sit in the show?

• What is its purpose in the narrative?

• How does it move the story forward?

How does the song fulfil — or challenge — the conventions of that song type?

Musical Style

• What is the musical genre? (Golden Age, rock, pop, contemporary, jazz-influenced, operatic, etc.)

• Tempo, dynamics, structure (verse/chorus, through-composed?)

• Use of instrumentation/orchestration

• Mood created through music

  
  

  How do musical features reflect the character’s psychology or situation?

Vocal Technique & Choices

• Vocal register (belt, thin folds, mix, legit)

• Dynamics (soft vs powerful moments)

• Tone quality

• Use of pauses, breath, phrasing

• Emotional intensity

  
  Why were these vocal choices made?
  How do they communicate subtext rather than just lyrics?

Acting Style

• Naturalistic or heightened?

• Use of facial expression

• Physicality and posture

• Gestures and movement

• Interaction with imagined or present characters

How does the acting style align with the overall style of the musical?

Costume & Character Presentation

• What does the costume reveal about status, personality, or context?

• Does it restrict or enhance movement?

• Use of colour and symbolism

  
  How does costume support thematic or symbolic meaning?

Staging & Set (Both of the original version and YOUR version)

• Use of space (centre stage, levels, distance from others)

• Relationship to set design

• Use of props

• Lighting choices

  
  How does staging focus audience attention or highlight emotional shifts?

  
  

Directorial Intentions

• What message might the director want the audience to receive?

• Are there modern reinterpretations?

• Does it stay traditional or subvert expectations?

  
  How successfully are stylistic conventions deployed to achieve this intention?

Character Context & Subtext

• What has just happened before the song?

• What does the character want in this moment?

• What obstacles do they face?

• What changes by the end of the solo?

  
  Is there a clear emotional journey?
  How is this journey structured musically and dramatically?

  
  

Stylistic Conventions of the Musical as a Whole

• Time period of the show

• Typical performance style of that era

• Audience expectations

• Influence of genre (e.g. rock musical vs Rodgers & Hammerstein style)

  
  How does the solo reflect the broader conventions of the musical’s style and era?

  
  

Audience Impact

• How is the audience meant to feel?

• Is the song persuasive, confrontational, vulnerable?

• Does it create empathy, tension, excitement?

  
  Provide precise examples of moments that create this impact.

Final question: if you had access to all resources and finances, how would you stage your number?

In pairs or threes, workshop all/part of your song as a monologue.

Choose an instrumental track that will underscore your performance.

e.g.

Sad piano instrumental

Tension building instrumental

Motivational instrumental

Suspense instrumental

Mourning instrumental

Hopeful piano instrumental

Try to ignore the rhythm of the song and perform it true to the emotions within the word.

Extension task:

How do different instrumentals affect the spoken word?

Tuesday 24th March - Perform, full consideration for staging and no lyrics

EASTER BREAK x2 Weeks

Tuesday 14th April - BCAF no lessons

Tuesday 21st April - LAST REHEARSAL

Tuesday 28th April - SHOWCASE

In your small groups answer the following questions / create the following feedback:

Is the characterisation of the performance clear?

What could the performer do to improve their performance physically?

Is the vocal performance secure?

Can you consider anything that would improve the vocal performance?

You will share back this feedback at the end of all the performances.