GREASE RESEARCH OVER BREAK

GREASE RESEARCH OVER BREAK;
Acting:
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Memorize lines, dialogue should be off book so we can polish, play with
character, and focus on movement when you return.
Read through and complete the research worksheet
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You should know the 50s inside and out when you return
Complete Character Creation Sheet
Vocal:
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Take extra care of your voice and health
Have a good handle on the music
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If possible, try to practice with piano and parts
Keep practicing so we can focus on polishing when you return from break
MOVEMENT/DANCE
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Practice the choreography you have learned to keep it fresh.
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Practice any additional tips or suggestions Mrs. Daane gave you
Check out some of the dance videos on line for swing dancing, Lindey Hop,
and other dancing from the 50’s.
Stay limber and work on stretching and staying in shape
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You can even take a long walk at a fast pace while singing to build
up skills for singing and moving together
GREASE RESEARCH PAGES
Cost of Living 1959
Average Cost of new house $12,400.00
Average Yearly Wages $5,010.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 25 cents
Average Cost of a new car $2,200.00
Movie Ticket $1.00
Loaf of Bread 20 cents
Kodak Movie camera $67.50
Ladies Stockings $1.00
A few important events of the late 50s
 1956 – Official policy of school segregation is overturned and integration begins
 Alaska and Hawaii become U.S. states
 Bowling and YoYos are popular past-times
 Disneyland opens in 1955
 February 1959, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, & The Big Bopper die in plane crash
 Musicals Gypsy, The Sound of Music debut
 Toy manufacturer Wham-O introduces the "Frisbee"
 Rock n Roll is constroversial
ACTORS:
Bobby Darin (very actor & singer popular)
Debbie Reynolds & Tammy (mentioned in Beauty School drop out)
Doris Day (mentioned in Sandra Dee)
Elizabeth Taylor
James Dean
Marlon Brando
Sandra Dee & Gidget (actress/character mentioned several times)
The Mousekateers of the 50’s (mentioned in final scene)
Troy Donahue (mentioned in Sandra Dee song)
Famous & groundbreaking Disc Jockies in the Rock n Roll radio world
Wolfman Jack
The Big Bopper
Dick Clark
Alan Freed (listen to him here: http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/alanfreed.html)
MUSIC:
Some of these artists have careers that span decades, so please focus on their music during the mid to late 1950s
Bobby Darin
Gene Vincent
Buddy Holly
Jerry Lee Lewis
Chuck Berry
Johnny Carroll
Doris Day
Little Richard
Elvis Presley
The Everly Brothers
Etta James
Wanda Jackson
Fats Domino
There are more current musicians who have revived the ‘Rockabilly’ style of music like Shanana, The Stray Cats (and
Brian Setzer in his solo career),
TOP 25 SONGS OF 1959
1. Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin
2. Kansas City - Wilbur Harrison
3. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
4. 16 Candles - the Crests
5. A Teenager In Love - Dion and the Belmonts
6. I Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos
7. Sleep Walk - Santo & Johnny
8. It's Just A Matter Of Time - Brook Benton
9. There Goes My Baby - Drifters
10. Come Softly To Me - The Fleetwoods
11. Sea Of Love - Phil Phillips
12. Donna - Ritchie Valens
13. Put Your Head On My Shoulder - Paul Anka
14. ('Til) I Kissed You - Everly Brothers
15. Only Sixteen - Sam Cooke
16. Heartaches By The Number - Guy Mitchell
17. A Big Hunk O' Love - Elvis Presley
18. Mr. Blue - The Fleetwoods
19. Sea Cruise - Frankie Ford
20. (Sorry) I Ran All The Way Home - the Impalas
21. Red River Rock - Johnny and the Hurricans
22. My Happiness - Connie Francis
23. Poison Ivy - Coasters
24. Misty - Johnnie Mathi
25. La Bamba - Ritchie Valens
MOVIES/TV: PLEASE GET PARENT PERMISSION BEFORE WATCHING THESE FILMS
The following movies are inteded to help you research your characters & the fifties culture
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American Grafiti (1973, Spielberg shot this in N. Bay recounting his days growing up there in the late 50s
early 60s)
Beach Blanket Bingo (starring Frankie & Annette a good example of the cheesy innocence that was popular)
Gidget (starring Sandra Dee and whom the character Sandra Dumbrowski was modeled after)
Happy Days (another 70s revival of 1950s culture)
I Love Lucy (the top rated television show of the decade & considered historically relevutionary)
Rebel Without a Cause (starring Natalie Wood and James Dean as the ultimate teen emo bad boy)
The Outsiders (based on the book about a good hearted bunch of greasers)
The Wild One (Marlon Brando plays a rebel on a motorcycle)
Sci-Fi/B Movies were very popular like The Day the Earth Stood Still or The Mummy (one is showing during
the drive-in scene in Grease)
Back to the Future (some interesting comparisons about ‘modern’ culture and what was different in the 50s,
but already somewhat dated as it was filmed in the 80s)
Check on YouTube for late 50’s shows
Top Movies of 1959
1. Auntie Mame
2. Shaggy Dog
3. Some Like It Hot
4. Imitation of Life
5. The Nun's Story
6. Anatomy of a Murder
7. North by Northwest
8. Rio Bravo
9. Sleeping Beauty
10. Some Came Running
LOOK INTO:
Howdy Doody
Milton Berle
Zip gun
Brill Cream
1950’s Hairstyles
1950’s Fashion- Sears online, costumes.org
YOUR NAME_________________________________
CHARACTER CREATION SHEET:
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS SHOULD BE FILLED OUT ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER!!! Answer the following on
a separate sheet of paper. If the information in in the script, use that, if it isn’t, use your immagination. Remember
this takes place in 1959 so answers should make sense within that era.
GOAL: Create a full and more grounded sense of who the characters are.
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CHARACTER’S FULL NAME
AGE
WHAT IS/WAS YOUR GPA IN HIGH SCHOOL?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT AND WHY?
WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND?
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FRIENDS?
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES/STORIES YOU SHARE WITH THIS PERSON?
WHO ARE YOUR PARENTS?
WHAT DO THEY DO FOR A LIVING?
WHO MANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS DO YOU HAVE & WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?
USE 3 ADJECTIVES TO EXPLAIN THE KIND OF PERSON YOU ARE.
HOW DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD SEE YOU?
HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BEST QUALITIES?
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MORE CHALLENGING OR DIFFICULT QUALITIES?
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OUTFIT?
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR(S)?
WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR IN YOUR FUTURE?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTOR, SONG, MOVIE, ETC RIGHT NOW?
ANYTHING ELSE WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?
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WHAT DO YOU, THE ACTOR, AND THIS CHARACTER HAVE IN COMMON? HOW ARE YOU ALIKE?
IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU TWO DIFFERENT?
WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS CHALLENGING ABOUT PLAYING THIS CHARACTER?
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE MOTIVATES THIS CHARACTER TO DO WHAT THEY DO?
26. PLEASE PUT TOGETHER A COLLAGE AND/OR A FEW PHOTOS AND IMAGES THAT ARE A VISUAL
REPRESENTATION OF YOUR CHARACTER. WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEY LIKE, ETC…