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THE WORLD OF THE MUSICAL In this section, we introduce themes of the musical and story, and historical events and ideas which inform the world of the play. The Director and Creative Team would research these topics to help shape, guide and understand the story, text, and characters. You might like to choose three or four topics below to research in depth to aid your own understanding of The Color Purple. We have also included more in-depth information about terminologies used in musical theatre such as the role of an ensemble and movement. Please note: Our examples of articles and videos are not definitive sources – they are suggestions of starting points for research, and may help you find your own facts and opinions.
TERMINOLOGY AAVE
African American Vernacular English is a form of dialect that can be heard across America but more particularly in the Southern parts of the states.
LGBTQ+
Abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. An umbrella term used to refer to the community as a whole.
PATRIARCHY
A system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.
WHITE SUPREMACY
The belief or idea that White people are superior to other races and should rule society and dominate over them.
GENRE
A style or category of art, music, or literature.
ENSEMBLE
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
DUOLOGUE
A conversation or scene between two characters.
DIALOGUE
A scene containing three or more people who have speaking roles.
MUTED
Completely unable or unwilling to speak, or of a place, object, or activity that becomes silent.
OPPRESSED
Subject to harsh and authoritarian treatment.
WORLD OF THE SHOW
The world in which the characters exist for example The Color Purple is set in rural Georgia. This doesn’t always reflect real life for example fantasy and sci-fi settings.
CONTEXT
COLONIALISM
The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood.
TOXIC MASCULINITY
The people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group, or nationality.
TROPE
The act of two or more parties working together in unison and harmony.
When a country takes over the governance of another land and exploits it culturally and economically.
Refers to the idea that masculinity is equal to dominance, homophobia and aggression towards women and other men.
A significant or recurring theme across many cultural mediums (books, film, comics, plays etc.), or a strong recurring theme within a specific cultural medium such as Musical Theatre.
DIASPORA
The dispersion or spread of any people from their original homeland.
SOLILOQY
Stream of thoughts or speech from one character. Can be said in private, often using the audience as their sounding board.
Photograph: Manuel Harlan
MONOLOGUE
An extended speech or stream of thoughts spoken by one character in the presence of another character or characters.
COMMUNITY
COHESION
DISSONANT
Lacking harmony.
TRIPLE THREAT
A person, especially a performer who is proficient in three important skills within their field such as singing, dancing and acting.
