DANCE TECHNIQUES - 2023/4

Module Overview

This Dance module seeks to develop and refine a secure and consistent technique in Dance and Physical skills. Central to the module are core classes in Jazz, Ballet and Tap. These classes are streamed by ability to ensure appropriate learning contexts for all levels of competence. In addition, Pilates, Musical Theatre dance styles, and Integration classes (dance styles integrating with voice and acting) are introduced in order to impart movement techniques required in Musical Theatre. These classes are taught in a single MA cohort. The module aims to improve posture and placing, and to develop the requisite strength, flexibility, stamina and drive necessary to sustain a career in Musical Theatre. All classes will concentrate on the development of technique, presentation, style and the vocabulary required in the study and performance of Musical Theatre. As the module develops over three teaching blocks, knowledge is developed and extended in order to secure a consistent fundamental technique. Not only, will it focus on the physical requirements of the individual dance disciplines but also on the comprehension and application of terminology and the ability to incorporate a sense of performance. This module runs concurrently with Musical Theatre Practice 1,  Musical Theatre Practice 2, and Public Performance Project, thus the dance and movement styles required for the projects and performance, and the essential growth of training required for the student over three teaching blocks, are purposefully aligned.

As with all Dance modules care has been given to understand the cultural, physical, social and personal differences of learners. The lineage of the dance styles is understood to be complex and care is given that each class is taught from an inclusive perspective. 

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

KERRIDGE Rachael (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Enrolment on: Musical Theatre Practice 1 and Musical Theatre Practice 2.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Classes in Tap, Ballet and Jazz to train and build on fundamental core dance skills, as well as imparting terminology required to comprehend and implement these dance styles

• Pilates classes, for core body strength, body awareness, and awareness of physicality

• Integration class, conjoining dance styles with voice and acting in order to build stamina, employ full dramatic expression and combine all disciplines.

All content will be reflective of and demonstrate an awareness of how each discipline has developed through a diverse range of cultures. 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

In the event of a student being unable to complete any of the above assessments, a resit opportunity will be arranged where they will be required to attend a viva voce to present a critical analysis of their work which has been previously documented as part of their process through the module. To be determined by the unit/module that is incomplete.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate comprehension and progression of dance and movement techniques required for a career in musical through continuous classroom and performance assessments.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

In-class Jazz (Continuous) – 10%. Teaching Block 1

• Use of Legs and feet (1,2,3,4,5)

• Musicality, style and presentation (1,2,3,4,5)

• Use of facility (1,2,3,4,5)

• Applying correction and work ethic (1,2,3,4,5)

• Progress (1,2,3,4,5)

In-class Ballet (Continuous) – 10%. Teaching Block 1

• Strength (1,2,3,4,5)

• Use of Legs and feet (1,2,3,4,5)

• Musicality, style and presentation (1,2,3,4,5)

• Use of facility (1,2,3,4,5)

• Applying correction and work ethic (1,2,3,4,5)

• Progress (1,2,3,4,5)

In-class Tap (Continuous) – 10%. Teaching Block 1

• Use of relaxation and mobility of knees and ankles (1,2,3,4,5)

• Demonstration of rhythm and syncopation (1,2,3,4,5)

• Clarity of beating and use of accent (1,2,3,4,5)

• Demonstration of line, style and presentation (1,2,3,4,5)

• Applying correction and work ethic (1,2,3,4,5)

• Progress (1,2,3,4,5)

In-class Pilates (Continuous) – 10%. Teaching Block 1

• Use of facility (1,4) • Demonstration of concentration, control and centring (1,4)

• Demonstration of flow, alignment and precision (1,4)

• Demonstration of breathing, relaxation and stamina (1,4)

• Applying correction and work ethic (1,4)

• Progress (1,4)

Jazz Practical Assessment – 20%. Teaching Block 3

• Consistency of style (1,2,3,4,5) • Accuracy of delivery (1,2,3,4,5)

• Understanding of genre and form (1,2,3,4,5)

• Line and posture (1,2,3,4,5)

• Understanding of dynamics (1,2,3,4,5)

• Sustainability of performance (1,2,3,4,5)

Ballet Practical Assessment – 20%. Teaching Block 3

• Consistency of style (1,2,3,4,5)

• Accuracy of delivery (1,2,3,4,5)

• Understanding of genre and form (1,2,3,4,5)

• Line and posture (1,2,3,4,5)

• Understanding of dynamics (1,2,3,4,5)

• Sustainability of performance (1,2,3,4,5)

Tap Practical Assessment – 20%. Teaching Block 3

• Consistency of style (1,2,3,4,5)

• Accuracy of delivery (1,2,3,4,5)

• Understanding of genre and form (1,2,3,4,5)

• Line and posture (1,2,3,4,5)

• Understanding of dynamics (1,2,3,4,5)

• Sustainability of performance (1,2,3,4,5)

Formative Assessment and Feedback Formative assessment is crucial to this module. In mirroring industry practice, students are given detailed constant verbal feedback and during classes, which enables students to develop and act upon notes given. Students are encouraged to create a reflective journal which encourages and develops their own reflective practice. Student Activity Link to Learning Outcome(s)

• Use of Legs and feet

• Musicality, style and presentation

• Use of facility

• Applying correction and work ethic

• Progress

• Strength

• Use of relaxation and mobility of knees and ankles

• Demonstration of rhythm and syncopation

• Clarity of beating and use of accent

• Demonstration of line, style and presentation

• Demonstration of concentration, control and centring

 • Demonstration of flow, alignment and precision

• Demonstration of breathing, relaxation and stamina

• Consistency of style

• Accuracy of delivery

• Understanding of genre and form

• Line and posture

• Understanding of dynamics

• Sustainability of performance

Module aims

• Build upon existing dance and movement knowledge, and to extend and develop individual progress.
• Enable students’ to take responsibility for the preparation and demands placed on their own bodies, and to gain competent understanding of the anatomical mechanisms required for effective and healthy movement practice in the study and performance of Musical Theatre.
• Enhance the student’s understanding of the creative, physiological and emotional contribution of the body in study, rehearsal and performance.
• Implement an advanced comprehension of diverse dance styles, techniques and genres which exist and evolve when studying, rehearsing and performing in Musical Theatre.
• Establish the theatrical concepts of dance within the Musical Theatre traditions and to ensure its practice as an extension of dramatic expression.
• Apply appropriate stylistic consistency and techniques in order to develop an ease of performance appropriate to variable Musical Theatre practices
• Generate comprehension of the elements required for effective and healthy movement practice in order to sustain a career in Musical Theatre.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Give the student the opportunity to demonstrate practical levels of understanding and attainment in a range of physical, dance & movement skills, genres and styles.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Tap class (Teaching Blocks 1,2 & 3)

• Ballet class (Teaching Blocks 1,2 & 3)

• Jazz class (Teaching Blocks 1,2 & 3)

• Pilates class (Teaching Block 1)

• Integration class (Teaching Block 2) The module is delivered over 300 hours study across the 3 Teaching Blocks including, classes and self-study.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MUTM028

Other information

GSA delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.