shark! - the musical

DIRECTED BY DR. SHONDRIKA MOSS-BOULDIN

SYNOPSIS 

Shark! The Musical is an audience-interactive workshop using the application, Theatre Engine and the script was developed through a creative process of devising. Theatre Engine uses cellphones and tablet devices to allow the audience to control lights, sounds and dancers and to eventually become performers themselves.  The goal of Shark is to create an immersive experience in which the audience members will use their individual cell phones (or provided tablets) to make choices and change the structure of the story.  At the end of the performance, we hope the audience will be on stage performing as well.     

AN INTERACTIVE MUSICAL

Application of the principles of Theatre Engine/Dance Engine to a theatrical, choreographed, audience- interactive musical. Performance is 60 - 80 minutes with scripted and choreographed sections. Audience involvement will be through mobile application, vocal participation, and movement. Conceived for performance in a proscenium theater with full stage projections. Workshop performance at Georgia State University April 20 & 21, 2018.

Technical Summary:
The shark is a drone-powered, dry-ice filled prop that flies through the audience or appears on the screen. The projected media constantly changes the audience perspective in terms of if the audience is in the water or on dry land. The lighting extends out into the house to involve the audience in the theatrical elements of the show.

INITIAL SHOW CONCEPT

We open with a character ballad of a young woman (Ethel). No-one understands her, she feels that everyone judges her by the exterior not the content of who she is. The ocean is the place she goes or acceptance and to be free. The ocean is made of her tears.

The dance ends with an aerial ballet and red china silk to represent Ethel's demise.

In the next section the main character (Roy) sees the shark for the first time. Vacationers splash around in the house amongst the audience with the shark roving along the edges of the seats. One hapless swimmer becomes shark bait.

INTERACTIVITY:

The climax of the performance is the moment when Roy, Rick and the Gruff Old Man finally face the shark. The scene begins with the trio coming to terms with each other as friends. The song plays on the double meaning of "chum." The shark attacks followed by a duet between Rick and Roy trying to save each other and stay afloat. Rick sinks below the waves (in his scuba suit) and Roy is left to face the shark alone.

"SHARK! - THE MUSICAL" FULL WORKSHOP PERFORMANCE

SHARK PHOTO GALLERY