ADVANCED SKILLS TECHNIQUES - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module extends learning undertaken in 1st Year MAMT Modules: Dance Techniques MUTM028, Vocal Techniques MUTM029, Acting Techniques MUTM030, Musical Theatre Practice 1 MUTM031, Musical Theatre Practice 2 MUTM032, Public Performance MUMT033.

The aims of this compulsory module are to develop and extend existing knowledge and to develop secure and consistent techniques. It will focus on the physical and intellectual requirements of individual disciplines, the understanding and application of terminology, and the ability to incorporate a sense of performance. This Module trains performers to integrate the physical and intellectual demands of a role with the appropriate techniques, and to explore the physical, emotional, conceptional and philosophical demands placed on the performer. The work will be influenced by the creations and processes of a diverse range of renowned practitioners.

Central to the module are core classes in Acting, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Audition Technique, 121 Singing and Repertoire. The Dance classes are streamed by ability to ensure appropriate learning contexts for all levels of competence.

All classes will concentrate on the development of technique, presentation, style, reflection, theory, opinion, imagination 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 required to facilitate the performer and their training.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

KERRIDGE Rachael (GSA)

Number of Credits: 45

ECTS Credits: 22.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Classes in Tap, Ballet and Jazz to build and extend on fundamental core dance skills learned within the first year of the course.


• Acting classes to integrate mind, body and text and to develop the actor’s imagination and assured style of performance


• Audition Technique classes to integrate dance styles with acting in order to utilise full dramatic expression within employable contexts


• Private Singing classes to focus on the individual student’s singing voice


• Repertoire classes to solidify a strong individual song catalogue for the student

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate an industry entry level of technical skills, a professional level of engagement with the work, the establishment of safe and healthy practices, the establishment of professional conduct, an advanced level of awareness and development of appropriate style within the context of musical theatre dance, movement and acting.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Acting – In class assessment (continuous) – 25%. Teaching Block 1

Develop and apply a sophisticated toolkit of performance techniques; demonstrating dynamics, physicality, style, genre and characterisation within a consistent approach to skills acquisition.

Demonstrating the relationship between performer and text in context with a professional standard of accuracy, and narrative engagement.

Exhibition of highly proficient work ethic with disciplined self-awareness consistent to a professional context.

 

Jazz - A mock audition at industry standard – 25%.

Teaching Block 3 Demonstration of the technical elements of posture, placing, alignment, use of depth, extension, contraction, elevation, activation of and connection to the core, arms and back, use of legs and feet, control at an advanced/professional level.

Demonstration of musical elements of rhythm, syncopation, timing and phrasing and choreographic elements of accuracy, isolation and spatial awareness at an advanced/professional level.

Exhibition of professional work ethic and demonstration of safe practice.

Demonstration of further progress, improvement in physicality, a sophisticated level of understanding and a refined knowledge of vocabulary.

 

Tap - A mock audition at industry standard – 25%. Teaching Block 3

Demonstration of the technical elements of weight transference, use of knees, ankles and feet, working from and sustaining use of the balls of the feet, clarity of beating, relaxation at an advanced/professional level.

Demonstration of the musical elements of rhythm, syncopation, accuracy of timing, use of accent and changes in dynamic and choreographic elements of accuracy, rhythm through the body and spatial awareness at an advanced/professional level.

Exhibition of professional work ethic and demonstration of safe practice.

Demonstration of further progress, improvement in physicality, a sophisticated level of understanding and a refined knowledge of vocabulary.

 

Ballet - The practical presentation of prepared classwork – 25%. Teaching Block 3

Demonstration of the technical elements of controlling and sustaining correct posture, placing and turnout, use of legs and feet, use of breadth and extension, connection to port de bras, upper body and back, turn, elevation, ballon at an advanced/professional level.

Demonstration of musical elements of rhythm, timing and phrasing and choreographic elements of accuracy and spatial awareness at an advanced/professional level.

Exhibition of professional work ethic and demonstration of safe practice.

Demonstration of further progress, improvement in physicality, a sophisticated level of understanding and a refined knowledge of vocabulary.

 

Formative: Formative Process Assessment

This is a practical formative assessment that provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate and receive formative feedback in preparation for the summative assessments. Students receive verbal and written feedback and also benefit from personal tutorials where this feedback can be discussed after reflection. This will take place in each class.

Awareness of style

Developing accuracy of delivery

Understanding of genre and form Line and posture

Understanding of dynamics

Sustainability of performance

Engagement with, and accuracy of text

Professional work ethic to industry standard

Module aims

• To further the development of stylistic consistency and ease of performance appropriate to Musical Theatre practice, within the context of past, present and emerging industry requirements.
• To establish the theatrical concepts of dance and movement within the Musical Theatre traditions and to ensure its practice as an extension of dramatic expression.
• To build on the students’ awareness of the demands placed on the mind, voice and body in the creation of character and the mining of text
• To ensure that dance is an extension of dramatic expression
• To build upon and deepen the experiences of the essential physical techniques gained in the 1st year of the course in order to increase and sustain knowledge and expertise.
• To enable the students to take responsibility for the preparation of their own bodies for a sustained career in performance and to continue to confront individual limitations and extend beyond them.
• To fully comprehend the varying acting, physical and vocals styles required when performing the many diverse texts, writers and genres found within Musical Theatre.
• To encourage and further develop stylistic consistency
• Ensure industry level performance skills

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 acting, 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)


• Acting class (Teaching Block 1 or 2)


• Audition Technique class (Teaching Block 1 or 2. Teaching Block 3)


• Weekly Singing and Repertoire tutorials (Teaching Block 1, 2 & 3)

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: MUTM040

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.