MUSICAL THEATRE PRACTICE: 2 - 2024/5

Module Overview

Musical Theatre Practice 2 provides a practical and academic approach to Musical Theatre training. Building from Audition Technique classes and further content with Musical Theatre Practice 1 module, a number of classes, mock-auditions and master-classes are undertaken to comprehensively prepare the student for entry into the profession. Importance is given to the formation of a wide-ranging audition portfolio suited to the individual student. Selected classes are facilitated by guest industry professionals, culminating in ‘Agent Feedback Forum’, comprising of selected practicing Musical Theatre agents. Professional Development is undertaken to provide an overview of current industry demands and to furnish the student with a heightened awareness of castability. Disciplines such as interview techniques, preparing CVs and photographs are also covered along with intensive workshops and master classes. A Contemporary piece of Musical Theatre is the rehearsal project within this module. This is defined as having been first staged/written within the last 35 years. The genre of this piece will be contrasting to the period style of the legit Book Musical project studied within Musical Theatre Practice 1, thus enabling the exploration of differing styles of voice (both spoken and sung), movement, acting, direction, choreography and musical staging. These approaches will be researched, demonstrated and encouraged in rehearsals. Students will be expected to build on previous work and undertake the requisite research and homework required to develop and stretch all their techniques and heighten their sense of stagecraft and rehearsal discipline.

In the delivery of this module, GSA is guided by the UN's 17 Sustainable Development goals. We aim to promote good health and well-being by keeping to appropriate working hours and maintaining Equity-standard safe spaces. We encourage positive working ethics: collaboration, kindness, support, understanding, listening and integrity. 

Care has been given to understand the cultural, physical, social and personal differences of learners and care is given that each class is taught from an inclusive perspective. 

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

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Enrollment on: Acting Techniques - MUTM030, Vocal Techniques - MUTM029, Dance Techniques - MUTM028 and Completion of Musical Theatre Practice: 1 - MUTM031

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Presentation, and study of audition material following research and analysis of material relevant to the area of study

• Rehearsing a Contemporary piece of Musical Theatre piece displaying, research, active analysis of text, and a unified approach of dance, dialogue and song in order to create a vibrant and articulate showing

• Professional Development studies in preparation for managing a professional career in Musical Theatre.

Material and content covered/chosen will be reflective of the continually developing global perspective within the theatre industry with an understanding and awareness of the history and context from which is it derived. 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

In the event of a student missing the Audition Performance, this must be presented at a later date In the event of a student being unable to complete the Contemporary Musical Project, 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:

Audition Performance:  50%

• Vocal Technique (1,2,3,5,6)

• Preparation (1,2,3,5,6)

• Acting Technique (1,2,3,5,6)

• Standard of presentation (1,2,3,5,6)

• Comprehension and appropriateness of material (1,2,3,5,6)

Contemporary Musical Project – Continuous Assessment – 50%. Teaching Block 2

• Integration of Vocal, Dance and Acting technique (1,5,6)

• Applying a pro-active commitment, flexibility and creative approach to rehearsal process and ensemble practice (1,3,4,5,6)

• Self-discipline and engagement within rehearsal, demonstrating stamina and professional practice (1,3,4,5,6)

• The ability to be creative and imaginative within the bounds of a text and score and to respond positively and constructively to direction (1,3,4,5,6)

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)

• Preparation

• Analysis and comprehension

• Level of Presentation

• Vocal Technique

• Dance Technique

• Flexibility

• Acting Technique

Module aims

• • Facilitate the development of an appropriate and credible audition portfolio by providing experiential learning in a number of different audition and casting situations
• • Prepare the performer-in-training for the life-long process of job searching, auditioning and career development
• • Advance personal and group engagement in an environment which, as nearly as possible, follows the professional rehearsal model, working with a Director/Choreographer and Musical Director
• • Integrate Acting, Vocal and Dance techniques within a sustained, concise and expedited rehearsal process
• • Utilise and expand emotional and physical capacity and range within all three disciplines
• • Build continued 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 undertake appropriate research methodologies and to work both as an individual and collaboratively as part of an ensemble, and allow the student to gain knowledge and skills required to manage a career in Musical Theatre.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Group and Individual research sessions

• Contemporary Musical Theatre Rehearsal

• Audition skills classes

• Professional Development classes

The module is delivered over 150 hours study across the teaching block 2 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: MUTM032

Other information

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

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.