Lin Manuel Miranda - Theatre Practitioner (Hamilton, In The Heights)-Drama, Dance & Performing Arts

This Drama and Theatre Studies resource was created for BTEC Performing Arts students for their Unit 1: Investigating Practitioners exam for Pearson BTEC Level 3 National in Performing Arts. But it is perfect for any Dance/Drama/Performing Arts student looking at theatre practitioners, specifically Lin Manuel Miranda.

This 49 slide PowerPoint covers background on Lin Manuel Miranda including social, political and historical context, his influences, inspiration; a timeline of ‘Hamilton’ from its inception to its opening night on Broadway and subsequent productions. It includes many embedded videos of Miranda in a variety of interviews. With specific focus on the stage versions of ‘Hamilton’ and ‘In the Heights’ with many embedded vidoes of footage from both shows.

The presentation looks at the theme of unity throughout both musicals looking at:

• Diversity in casting
• Blend of musical styles
• Themes of immigration
• Political unity and discord
• Music and lyrics
• Choreography
• Lighting design
• Set design
• Direction
• Costume design

With a critical insight into the roles women play in ‘Hamilton’ from an article from The Feminist Spectator.

The PowerPoint also has a deconstruction of the lyrics in the opening number from Hamilton, ‘Alexander Hamilton’ looking at how the presence of assonance in the lyrics unites the characters in their narration of the opening number of ‘Hamilton’.