Transculturalism in Contemporary Musical Theatre

A series of flashcards exploring key terms and concepts related to transculturalism in contemporary musical theatre.

Cultural Appropriation

Use of cultural elements by a dominant group, often involving power imbalance, stereotyping, or extraction without context.

Cultural Exchange

Reciprocal, collaborative, and contextual sharing of cultural elements, involving agency, authorship, and respectful engagement.

Miss Saigon

A musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, telling the tragic romance between Kim, a Vietnamese woman, and Chris, an American GI.

West Side Story

A musical by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim about love between Tony and Maria, set against the backdrop of rival gangs.

Once on This Island

A musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty about Ti Moune, a peasant girl who loves a wealthy boy.

Hamilton

A musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda that retells the story of Alexander Hamilton and the Founding Fathers during the American Revolution.

Maybe Happy Ending

A musical telling the story of two abandoned helper robots, Oliver and Claire, who form a deep friendship.

Authorship

The role or identity of those who create and tell the story in musical theatre.

Outsider vs Insider

Comparison of perspectives from those outside a culture versus those within it when telling cultural stories.

Musical Language

The specific use of music, including surface borrowing versus structural integration, within a musical.

Representation

How cultures are portrayed in musical theatre, focusing on stereotype vs specificity.

Power in Production

Who controls the means of creating and sharing narratives within the field of musical theatre.

Cultural Elements

Aspects of culture such as language, music, customs, and symbols used in storytelling.

Dramaturgically

Relating to the structure and composition of a theatrical work.

Stereotyping

Oversimplified and fixed ideas about a group or culture that can lead to misrepresentation.

Contextual Engagement

Understanding and honoring the background and significance of cultural elements in storytelling.

Collaborative Engagement

Working together across cultures in a meaningful and respectful way.

Economic Benefits

The financial advantages gained by individuals or groups through cultural representations or productions.

Cultural Benefits

The enhancements to cultural understanding and appreciation that can arise from shared stories.

Agency in Storytelling

The capacity of individuals or groups to act and represent themselves in narratives.

Storytelling Questions

Key inquiries about narratives, addressing who tells the story and for whom it is told.

The American Dream in Musical Theatre

The exploration of ideals and realities of success and opportunity within American cultural narratives.

Casting Controversies

Debates and discussions surrounding the choices of actors in roles, particularly in relation to cultural representation.

Cultural Context

The social, historical, and political background in which a cultural element is situated.

Dju vui vay, Yu doi my in the song lyrics represent cultural expression within 'Miss Saigon'.

Thematic Elements in Musical Theatre

Core ideas and messages conveyed through the music and story.

Tradition vs Modernity

The tension or blending of traditional cultural narratives with contemporary interpretations.

Intercultural Dialogue

The discussion and interaction between cultures facilitated through performance and storytelling.

Lynn Ahrens

Co-writer of 'Once on This Island,' contributing to both book and lyrics.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Creator of 'Hamilton,' known for his innovative blend of music and cultural storytelling.

Claude-Michel Schönberg

Composer of 'Miss Saigon,' known for his impactful musical scores.

Bargirls in Miss Saigon

Representations in 'Miss Saigon' that reflect socio-economic realities.