PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module is designed in three components and caters to the specific professional and creative interests of the student; ensuring industry level musical theatre skills through practical and written methods.

The student will choose audition material which is presented in Agent Feedback Forum. This consists of a panel of industry professionals assembled to advise students on their choice of audition material, presentation and associated materials.

A 2,000 word written Critical Analysis of Practice essay, will be undertaken to evaluate own practice and to consider contrasting ways of performative or pedagogic methods.

A Sustained Independent Project (SIP) empowers the student to choose an assessment option which most suits their needs and creative/professional goals, during which they will receive some guidance and supervision from staff according to expertise.

In the final phase of the module, students will research and select appropriate musical materials, followed by intensive rehearsal period culminating in an Industry Showcase which may or may not be streamed and which may or may not be performed to a live audience.

The module encourages the student comprehend the importance of diet, sleep, exercise, appropriate screen time, appropriate working hours and Equity Safe spaces.  It promotes the understanding and creation of sustainable funding streams and the comprehension of sustaining practice in a financially viable way post graduation.  The module encourages enterprise and entrepreneurship and fosters an understanding of relevant sustainable financial and business models.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

WOOLFORD Julian (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

N/A

Module content

The Professional Practice module builds on all the previous modules in the MA Musical Theatre course, in order to ensure that the student achieves a professional level entry into the industry for which s/he has trained.

• Professional Development Classes: this class stimulates the student to choose suitable audition material which is presented at Professional Jury. This consists of a panel of industry professionals assembled to advise students on their choice of audition material, presentation and associated materials.


• A 2,000 word written Critical Analysis of Practice essay, which encourages the student to evaluate own practice and to consider contrasting ways of performative or pedagogic methods.


• A Sustained Independent Project (SIP) which empowers the student to choose an assessment option which most suits their needs and creative/professional goals, during which they will receive some supervision from staff according to expertise. This can take the form of one of the following assessments: Critical Evaluation (6,000 words) OR Performance Project (25 mins) OR Teaching Portfolio equivalent (6,000 words).


• Rehearsal and Performance of Showcase: including discussion, research, selection and execution of Musical Theatre material.   Material wil be chosen by the student in conjunction with GSA staff and will reflect the continually developing Global perspective within the industry.  The Showcase may or may not be streamed, and may or may not be performed to a live audience.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

n/a

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on process and outcome, to develop a professional profile through selection and preparation of appropriate performance material, to perform with surety and to evidence a credible and creative approach to the generation of work.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

 

Performance to Agent Panel – 20%. Teaching Block 1

Selection, Preparation and Presentation of appropriate audition material

Flexibility

Vocal technique

Acting technique

Movement technique

 

Written: Critical Analysis of Practice (2,000 words) – 10%. Teaching Block 2

Evaluate

Analysis

Comprehend

Academic presentation

Creative approach

 

Sustained Independent Project – 50%. Teaching Block 3

Academic and/or Writing Skills

Contextual Understanding

Analysis

Understanding and Application of theory

Academic presentation

Research depth

Creative approach

 

Performance in Showcase – 20%. Teaching Block 3

Vocal Technique

Dance/Movement Technique

Acting Technique

Creative approach

Engagement with professional methods of delivery

 

 

 

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.

 

Module aims

• To encourage the student to work with a sophisticated awareness of professional discipline and presentation in order to thoroughly prepare for engagement in the professional casting process
• To provide an opportunity for successful presentation to the profession in an industry-attended showcase
• To enable the student to strategise for and take responsibility for the pursuit and creation of artistic, creative and commercial project and opportunities.
• To facilitate and comprehend creativity, original practice and research
• To stimulate constructive and critical reflection upon process and outcome
• To help the student negotiate the transition from training to profession

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Enable the student to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of a career in Musical Theatre, to facilitate individual creativity, and to ensure the student acquires and demonstrates industry level practice.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Professional Development classes (Teaching Blocks 1,2 & 3)


• Research and Development for the Sustained Independent Project (Teaching Block 3)


• Rehearsal and Performance of Industry Showcase (Teaching Block 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: MUTM041

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.