MUSICAL THEATRE PRACTICE: 1 - 2023/4

Module Overview

Musical Theatre Practice 1 provides a practical and academic approach to Musical Theatre. Seminar classes provide an environment for the research, preparation and contextual discussion that is fundamental for the practice of Musical Theatre at an advanced level. Theories and concepts of musical theatre are considered within historical context. Social and economic influences on the creation of musical theatre are researched and discussed, together with demands of style, genre and period, and the subsequent implications for the performer. Audition Technique classes are undertaken through practical sessions, encouraging students to explore, investigate and research varying genres, composers and lyricists in order to gain the requisite skills required to establish and sustain a professional career in Musical Theatre. Concurrently, the research undertaken will be applied, reflected and critiqued within a Rehearsal Project. This project focuses on a legit Musical Theatre text: defined as having been first staged/written within the mid-20th century. The text chosen encourages, supports and develops disciplined ensemble and individual practice, and is underpinned with an awareness and comprehension of the continually developing global perspective. The text will give students the opportunity for contextual study and academic research. Acting, choreography and music will be fully integrated and applied in rehearsal in order to challenge and allow the students to build characterisation and develop as musical theatre performers. This will be underpinned by techniques concurrently delivered in skills classes in voice, dance and acting taught within other modules. The project will facilitate the development of a structured and effective rehearsal process, in which students are expected to develop their sense of stagecraft and rehearsal discipline. The creation of a student working journal is encouraged for students to consider and reflect on their own learning experiences and processes. This aims to identify areas of personal interest they may pursue and develop in their professional career. This journal, in conjunction with annotated scripts and academic referencing, are used in the creation of an analytical and critically reflective written essay.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

SCRIVENS Nicholas (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Enrolment on: Acting Techniques, Vocal Techniques and Dance Techniques.

Module content

Musical Theatre Practice 1 provides a practical and academic approach to Musical Theatre. Seminar classes provide an environment for the research, preparation and contextual discussion that is fundamental for the practice of Musical Theatre at an advanced level. Theories and concepts of musical theatre are considered within historical context. Social and economic influences on the creation of musical theatre are researched and discussed, together with demands of style, genre and period, and the subsequent implications for the performer. Audition Technique classes are undertaken through practical sessions, encouraging students to explore, investigate and research varying genres, composers and lyricists in order to gain the requisite skills required to establish and sustain a professional career in Musical Theatre. Concurrently, the research undertaken will be applied, reflected and critiqued within a Rehearsal Project. This project focuses on a legit Musical Theatre text: defined as having been first staged/written within the mid-20th century. The text chosen encourages, supports and develops disciplined ensemble and individual practice, and is underpinned with an awareness and comprehension of the continually developing global perspective. The text will give students the opportunity for contextual study and academic research. Acting, choreography and music will be fully integrated and applied in rehearsal in order to challenge and allow the students to build characterisation and develop as musical theatre performers. This will be underpinned by techniques concurrently delivered in skills classes in voice, dance and acting taught within other modules. The project will facilitate the development of a structured and effective rehearsal process, in which students are expected to develop their sense of stagecraft and rehearsal discipline. The creation of a student working journal is encouraged for students to consider and reflect on their own learning experiences and processes. This aims to identify areas of personal interest they may pursue and develop in their professional career. This journal, in conjunction with annotated scripts and academic referencing, are used in the creation of an analytical and critically reflective written essay.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

In the event of a student missing the Presentation of the Research Seminar, this must be presented at a later date In the event of a student being unable to complete the Rehearsal Process, they will be required to present: an extended solo piece of singing, a solo piece of dance, and a monologue taken from the same era of Musical Theatre as the project. Each approximately 6 minutes each. This will be followed by discussion with a panel of staff to ensure learning outcomes are met.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate rigorous research practice for rehearsal and audition, and the integration of rehearsal techniques to achieve a high level of performance in a piece of musical theatre.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Presentation of Research Seminar(s) – 30%. Teaching Block 1

• Contextual Understanding (1,2,4,5)

• Understanding and Application of theory (1,2,4,5)

• Academic presentation (1,2,4,5)

• Research Depth (1,2,4,5)

Rehearsal Continuous Assessment – 40%. Teaching Block 1

• Contextual Understanding (1,2,3)

• Understanding and Application of theory (1,2)

• Character analysis and understanding (1,2,3,4)

• Integration of disciplines (1,2,3,4)

• Ensemble work (3,4)

Critical Evaluation of progress 2,500 words – 30%. Submitted at the commencement of Teaching Block 2

• Contextual Understanding (1,2,3,4,5)

• Understanding and Application of theory (1,2,3,4,5)

• Academic presentation (1,2,5)

• Research Depth (1,2,5)

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 and rehearsal, 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)

• Contextual Understanding

• Understanding and Application of theory

• Character analysis and understanding

• Integration of disciplines

• Ensemble work

• Academic presentation

• Research Depth

Module aims

• Identify academically rigorous research processes that will support and positively influence practical rehearsal projects
• Examine and develop research methodologies necessary for proficient musical theatre study, rehearsal and performance
• Develop a sophisticated comprehension of the disciplines and rigours required within committed ensemble practice
• Integrate appropriate vocal and physical skills in the creation of vibrant and articulate musical theatre - commensurate with the genre of the text
• Critically reflect and document a personal learning process
• Compile knowledge of repertoire through progression of varying Musical Theatre styles

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Encourage students to reflect critically on their progress, to undertake appropriate research methodologies and to work both as an individual and collaboratively as part of an ensemble.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Group seminars

• Group and Individual and research sessions

• Legit Musical rehearsal

• Audition skills classes

The module is delivered over 150 hours study across the teaching block 1 including, class, seminar 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: MUTM031

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.