DANCE 1 - 2025/6

Module Overview

This Module introduces and develops students’ knowledge in secure and consistent techniques in dance and physical skills.  The module comprises of practical dance skills-based classes in Musical Theatre required for employability in the professional Musical Theatre, through the exploration and analysation of the students own natural physicality and the transformation and relevance to character, period and context. The lineage of the dance styles is understood to be complex, and care is given that each class is taught from an inclusive perspective to understand the cultural, physical, social and personal differences of learners.

 

The module comprises of:

• Jazz


• Ballet


• Tap


• Pilates

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

KERRIDGE Rachael (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Jazz

To maximise mobility, strength, control, isolation work, compound steps, jazz pirouettes and the development of combinations in a variety of jazz styles.  These may include past/present 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 include Barre-work, Centre Practice, Adage, Pirouettes, Petit & Grand Allegro.  Some Batterie work may also be covered and in special circumstances Pointe-work may be included if appropriate.

 

Tap

To include traditional tap vocabulary and technique: shuffles, time-steps, riffs, pick-ups, turning steps and combinations which may include past/present 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 with a global perspective on current and emerging talents.

 

Pilates

To include the five basic principles of Pilates (which include breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and stabilisation and head placement) mat work, limbering, resistance work and anatomy based barre work all taught through somatic practices.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate physical and technical progression, engagement with the work, an awareness of safe and healthy practices, development of professional conduct and an awareness and development of appropriate style within the context of Musical Theatre dance.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

 

Continuous Assessments – Pilates. Teaching Block 1

• In-class Physical and Technical development and progress


• Diligence, focus, work ethic and professional conduct

This assessment addresses Learning Outcome 2, 4

 

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

• In-class Physical and Technical development and progress


• Diligence, focus, work ethic and professional conduct


• An understanding and knowledge of dance vocabulary


• An awareness and development of appropriate style within the context of Musical Theatre

These assessments address Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4

 

  Practical Assessments – Jazz / Ballet / Tap (per skill).   Teaching Block 3

• Practical Presentation of routines and classwork as taught in class to demonstrate technical skills

These assessments address Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4

 

 

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

• Introduce essential dance styles and techniques required for employability in Musical Theatre
• Ensure development and individual progress building upon existing skills and knowledge
• Develop a strong, healthy mind and physically balanced body to ensure good physical practice in dance
• Understand physical anatomy
• Develop knowledge, practices/methods in dance and their cultural and/or historical contexts
• Establish a practical understanding of dance vocabularies, styles and techniques and how to apply knowledge, practices and skills from other disciplines within Musical Theatre.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

 

• Provide students with a practical development in dance and movement.


• Allow students to develop as performers within private and collaborative ensemble learning environments.


• Encourage a secure, healthy and robust dance technique in relation to the variety of historical and cultural genres and styles required for employment in the professional Musical Theatre.


• Enable students to acquire versatility in their physical skills and integrate their knowledge across all Musical Theatre disciplines


• Develop stamina and sustainable working practices to give students a firm foundation for the practical and integrated physical demands of dance for Musical Theatre performance

 

The learning and teaching methods will include:

• Practical, skills-based group dance class in Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Pilates

 

 

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

 

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: MUT1021

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:

 

Employability

The focus on employability is embedded in the teaching, learning and assessment activities throughout every aspect of 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 in the studio, mirroring professional practice.   Students develop transferable skills including independent and collaborative working, creative, critical and reflective thinking, and problem solving. 

 

Global & Cultural Capabilities

Through the skills taught in all classes across 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

In this module the learning journey is carefully structured so that performance and rehearsal skills can be learned, developed, and integrated resulting in students 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 the 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 the classes, 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.  GSA has a strong commitment to working from the studio in the most sustainable way possible.  Dance classes allow the student to work in a sustained safe physical manner commensurate with rigors of professional delivery.

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 2025/6 academic year.