ADVANCED TECHNIQUES - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module consolidates consistent techniques and advanced knowledge in Singing and Dance through classes that aim to secure the skills required for employable professional practice required in Musical Theatre and other Creative Industries.

 

The module comprises of:

• 1-2-1 Singing Tutorials


• Audition Skills (Dance)


• Jazz


• Ballet


• Tap


• Commercial Dance

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

CRIPPS Kevin (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Singing

To refine the individual technical needs of the students singing voice and to apply advanced principals of voice production to secure and sustain healthy and robust techniques to enable sustainable delivery of eight show per week.

 

Jazz

To include advanced technical exercises to maximise mobility, strength, control, isolation work, compound steps, jazz pirouettes and the establishment of integrated technique in preparation for industry standard audition routines.  These routines may include current or emerging musical theatre repertoire by or in the style of a diverse range of notable practitioners with a global perspective on current and emerging talents

 

Ballet

To further develop advanced Barre-work, Centre Practice, Adage, Pirouettes, Petit & Grand Allegro, Batterie, En Manèges. In special circumstances Pointe-work may be included if appropriate.

 

Tap

To include advanced work on traditional and emerging tap vocabulary and technique.  To include shuffles, time-steps, riffs, pick-ups, turning steps and the establishment of integrated technique in preparation for industry standard audition routines which may include current or emerging musical theatre repertoire.  Students may be taught an increased variety of styles that reflect how the discipline has developed through a diverse range of cultures.

 

Commercial Dance

To include styles such as Streetdance, Hip Hop, Locking and Popping and other emerging dance styles (as appropriate), and the advanced development of routines relative to current Musical Theatre.

 

Audition Skills (Dance)

To Integrate technique in preparation for industry standard audition routines which may include current or emerging musical theatre repertoire and routines by or in the style of a diverse range of notable practitioners with a global perspective on current and emerging talents.

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate industry entry level technical skills, professional level of engagement with the work, safe and healthy practices, professional conduct and an advanced level of awareness of appropriate style within the context of Musical Theatre Singing and Dance.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

 

Performance Assessment – Dance Reel.  Practical Based Assessment – Submitted Week 1 of Teaching Block 2

• Awareness of employable performance profile in digital format


• Physical and technical skill delivery at advanced/professional level


• Advanced understanding of dance vocabulary


• Advanced awareness of appropriate style within the context of Musical Theatre

This assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

 

Continuous Assessment - 1-2-1 Singing.  Practical Based Assessment -  Teaching Blocks 1, 2 & 3

• In-class technical delivery at advanced/professional level


• Advanced knowledge of breath control and support, posture and alignment, voice quality and vocal set up.


• Distinct indication of personal practice habits, active engagement in 1-2-1 tutorials and meeting set goals.

This assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 1, 4, 6

 

Continuous Assessments – Jazz / Ballet / Tap – (per skill).  Teaching Blocks 1, 2 & 3

• In-class physical and technical skill delivery at advanced/professional level


• Diligence, focus, work ethic and conduct at professional level


• Advanced understanding of dance vocabulary


• Advanced awareness of appropriate style within the context of Musical Theatre

These assessments address Learning Outcomes 1, 4, 6

 

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is embedded within the learning and teaching for this module.  Mirroring industry practice, students are given detailed constant verbal feedback during classes, which enables students to develop and act upon notes given.  Questioning, dialogue, facilitated peer-to-peer feedback and group discussion is undertaken constantly to enable students develop their critical, and self-reflective skills, to allow them to adjust their work and process in response.

 

Feedback

• Students are given detailed constant formative verbal feedback during classes. 


• Students will receive detailed written summative feedback via SurreyLearn on conclusion of each assessment.

Module aims

• Consolidate technical and physical skills to enable students to sustain a career in Musical Theatre
• Consolidate healthy and robust techniques specific to the Musical Theatre performer to enable sustainable delivery of eight show per week
• Encourage students to be reflective and responsive in their ongoing practice after Level 6 study
• Foster a working environment that encourages continuous shared practice and core professional values

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

 

• 
  Place emphasis on the practical advancement of Dance and Singing skills
  


• 
  Integrate knowledge and professional conduct across all Musical Theatre disciplines
  


• 
  Prepare students for the physical demands of the professional Musical Theatre and other Creative Industries.
  

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 
  Practical, skills-based classes in Singing and Dance
  

Jazz, Ballet and Tap classes are streamed by ability to ensure appropriate learning contexts for all levels of competence.  Students are assessed at regular intervals and may be re-allocated to higher or lower class levels. 

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

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: MUT3015

Other information

Guildford School of Acting trains students, within their chosen fields, to have an understanding and appreciation of Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow Musical Theatre students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

 

Digital Capabilities

Throughout the module students will be required to engage with digital technologies to develop their digital literacy, to support their learning journey, and to explore and secure employment opportunities through the use of self-taping to create content for showreel self-promotion.  Students will use specialist software to create digital and promotional content, and they will use a range of sharing platforms and social media to share this content with industry professionals and creative peers as appropriate. 

 

Employability

The focus on employability is embedded in the teaching, learning and assessment activities throughout this module to nurture career ready graduates that will be sought after by employers in the creative industries.  Expert staff with practitioner backgrounds deliver authentic and practical modes of working from the studio, to rehearsal, to public performance mirroring professional practice.   Students develop transferable skills including independent and collaborative working, creative, critical and reflective thinking, and problem solving.  Students will engage with a range of industry stakeholders who are invited to observe classes and attend performances. 

 

Global & Cultural Capabilities

Throughout all classes in this module, students will develop their global, social, historical, and cultural awareness, share experiences and knowledge from their own backgrounds and cultures, and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives.  With an open mind and a willingness to engage in discussion, students will develop awareness and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives in the characters and communities they will be portraying as actors-in-training.  Students will be able to make informed contributions to the current debates in the creative industries.

 

Resourcefulness & Resilience

Throughout this module, the learning journey is carefully structured so that performance and rehearsal skills can be learned, developed, and integrated resulting in the student acquiring a broad range of resources which they can continue to use throughout the rest of their training and in future employment settings.  The nature of the work means students will learn to navigate uncertainty, to deal with risks and challenges, and to take on board personal and professional responsibilities.  The use of formative and summative feedback will enable students to build a thorough overview of their individual process and progress.  The training features independent and collaborative learning, problem solving, communication, perseverance, stamina, critical thinking, self-management, and an understanding of self-value.  Mirroring industry standards students will undertake classes, rehearsals and performance schedules which are in line with expectations for a successful Musical Theatre career.  

 

Sustainability

Throughout this module, students are encouraged to reflect on the social, cultural, ethical, political, economic, and environmental impact of the work they do as individuals and collectively, and to recognise their shared responsibilities.  Students will understand the impact on audiences of the values, perceptions, and actions of their own, of others and of characters they are portraying in rehearsal and performance.  Students will be nurtured as future leaders in sustainability thinking and empowered to take informed decisions and responsible actions that promote the wellbeing of present and future generations.  Dance and Voice classes allow the student to work in a sustained safe vocal and physical manner commensurate with rigors of professional delivery. GSA has a strong commitment to working from the studio, to rehearsal, to public performance in the most sustainable way possible

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 2024/5 academic year.