PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module extends learning undertaken in 1st Year of the programme. The module is designed to facilitate entry into the profession. This module caters to the specific professional and creative interests of the student; ensuring preparation for and engagement with the musical theatre industry, at the requisite skill level, and demonstrating appropriate skills and reflection through practical and written methods. Agent Feedback Forum 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. Industry Showcase Students will research and select appropriate materials, followed by an intensive rehearsal period culminating in a (filmed or live) Industry Showcase which agents and casting directors are invited to view. Critical Analysis of Practice 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. Sustained Independent Project (SIP) 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 guidance and supervision from staff according to expertise.

Students may choose one of 4 options: A solo live performance (40 minutes), The creation of a short film (25 minutes),  A Teaching Portfolio, or an Essay.

The briefs for each of these projects are in a Briefing document on SurreyLearn. Care is given to understand the cultural, physical, social and individual differences of learners.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

WOOLFORD Julian (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

The Professional Practice module builds on all the previous modules in the MFA Musical Theatre course, to facilitate a professional level entry into the industry for which they have trained. Indicative content includes: Agent Feedback Forum Preparation: In these classes the student chooses and rehearses suitable audition material to be presented at 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. Rehearsal and Performance of Industry Showcase: including discussion, research, selection and execution of Musical Theatre material for a (filmed or live) Showcase to which industry professional are invited to view. Material will be chosen by the student in conjunction with GSA staff and will reflect the continually developing Global perspective within the industry. Tutorials for the Critical Analysis of Practice essay encourage the student to evaluate their own practice, their development through the programme and their suitability for the industry at present and in the future. Tutorials for the Sustained Independent Project (SIP) empower the student to choose an assessment option which most suits their creative/professional goals.

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 create an appropriate Sustained Independent Project perform with surety and to evidence a credible and creative approach to entry into the Industry.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Performance to Agent Panel. Practical based assessment (Addresses learning outcomes: 1,3,5,7,9) This audition assessment allows the student to demonstrate selection, preparation and presentation of appropriate audition material at an Industry event [where formative feedback is also given by visiting professionals]. It allows the student to demonstrate integrated skills in Acting, Singing and Dance/Movement to a professional standard. Develop performance skills that demonstrate imagination and understanding of style and genre. Develop a professional approach to the choice, preparation and performance of material.

Performance in Showcase. Practical based assessment (Addresses learning outcomes: 1,3,5,6,7,9) This audition assessment allows the student to demonstrate selection, preparation and presentation of appropriate audition material for viewing by industry professionals. It allows the demonstration of imagination and understanding of style and genre and a professional approach to the choice, preparation and performance of material.

Critical Analysis of Practice Coursework (Addresses learning outcomes: 2,4,6,8) This written assessment allows the student to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in physical, verbal or written formats. It allows the demonstration skills to analyse, reflect and evaluate own and other's work; to demonstrate an awareness of sustainable personal and collective practice in the creative industries and to demonstrate a continually developing awareness and knowledge of global influence and cultural synergies within the Creative Industries.

Sustained Independent Project (SIP). Coursework: . Performance Project (40 mins) OR (Addresses learning outcomes: 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) This assessment allows the student to demonstrate integrated skills in Acting, Singing and Dance/Movement to a professional standard, to develop a range of rehearsal and performance techniques and skills in live and/or recorded formats along with skills to analyse, reflect and evaluate own and other's work. It allows the demonstration of imagination and understanding of style and genre and a professional approach to the choice, preparation and performance of material; to demonstrate an awareness of sustainable personal and collective practice in the creative industries, and to demonstrate a continually developing awareness and knowledge of global influence and cultural synergies within the Creative Industries. Short film (25 mins) OR (Addresses learning outcomes: 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) This assessment allows the student to demonstrate integrated skills in Acting, Singing and Dance/Movement to a professional standard, to develop a range of rehearsal and performance techniques and skills in live and/or recorded formats along with skills to analyse, reflect and evaluate own and other's work. It allows the demonstration of imagination and understanding of style and genre and a professional approach to the choice, preparation and performance of material; to demonstrate an awareness of sustainable personal and collective practice in the creative industries, and to demonstrate a continually developing awareness and knowledge of global influence and cultural synergies within the Creative Industries. Teaching Portfolio (Coursework) (Addresses learning outcomes: 2,4,6,8,9) This written assessment allows the student to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in physical, verbal or written formats. It allows the demonstration skills to analyse, reflect and evaluate own and other's work; to demonstrate an awareness of sustainable personal and collective practice in the creative industries and to demonstrate a continually developing awareness and knowledge of global influence and cultural synergies within the Creative Industries. All of these assessments facilitate an exhibition of a professional work ethic and demonstration of safe practice.

Formative assessment Students are provided with formative verbal feedback in rehearsal, in tutorials, and other classes.

Feedback Students are provided with formative verbal feedback in rehearsal through direction, corrections and communication with the creative team.

Students receive written and individual rubric-based feedback on the summative aspects of the module.

Module aims

• To facilitate the student's development of a sophisticated awareness of professional presentation and discipline in order to thoroughly prepare for a sustained professional career
• To provide an opportunities for successful presentation to the profession
• To enable the student to create appropriate strategies and take responsibility for the pursuit and creation of opportunities
• To facilitate and comprehend research, creativity and original practice
• To stimulate constructive and critical reflection
• To enable 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: Agent Feedback Forum Preparation classes. Tutorials for the Critical Analysis of Practice. Tutorials for the Sustained Independent Project (SIP). Preparation for the Sustained Independent Project (SIP). Rehearsal and Performance of Industry Showcase

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: MUTM052

Other information

Digital Capability: Throughout the programme, students engage with¿technologies utilised in the contemporary professional Musical Theatre rehearsal environment including but not limited to Digital Rehearsal Materials¿and¿Technical Digital Design environments in Light, Sound and Costume.¿¿As professionals in training, students are encouraged to use current media such as email, virtual meeting and communications software, for appropriate use in communication, recording and team working.¿ Students utilise the University¿s VLE (SurreyLearn), and a range of Digital media platforms for appropriate use in communication,¿administration, scheduling, and reporting.¿ Students¿will¿also engage with¿creating Digital Content to secure employment and create their own artistic content.¿¿¿¿ Employability: Employability is integral to¿this¿Programme.¿Employability is embedded in teaching, learning and assessment.¿ Students receive transferrable employability¿skills through professional development delivered during training by expert staff with practitioner backgrounds.¿ Students will gain employability knowledge and expertise through; authentic practical modes of working in rehearsal and performance mirroring professional practice; independent and collaborative working; the development of critical thinking; the ability to reflect on one¿s own practice and engagement with professional expertise.¿¿Engagement with industry stakeholders¿(who are invited to attend¿classes and¿performances) and¿CV building¿promoted through professional organisations alongside¿sustained demonstration and exploration of¿skills¿in a ¿real world¿ setting. GSA aims to¿nurture career-ready graduates that will be sought after by agents, casting directors and employers.¿¿Talks and Industry Outreach is also¿encouraged, and GSA has a dedicated Director of Employability.¿¿¿ Global & Cultural Capabilities: Texts are chosen¿to enable students¿to reflect,¿interact,¿engage, value and respect¿their own and lived experiences, skills,¿perspectives¿and diversity.¿Students and are constantly encouraged to reflect the changing world we live in and the current debates in the Creative Industries.¿¿Students are actively encouraged to develop their global, social, historical, and cultural awareness, to share experiences and knowledge from their own backgrounds and cultures¿ and to appreciate, recognize and interpret diverse perspectives.¿ Students are expected to commence the programme with an open mind, a willingness to learn and engage in discussion, and ready to broaden their understanding of the lived experiences of the varying characters and communities they will be portraying as actors-in-training.¿¿All modules benefit from an inclusivity ethos and students across their course of study benefit from the oversight of the Director of Equality and Diversity at GSA.¿ Every effort is made to make a range of performances accessible, and students are also encouraged to reach out to the Disability and Neuro-Diversity service within the University of Surrey if they are experiencing barriers to individual learning.¿¿¿ Resourcefulness & Resilience: The process of acting and performing, by its very nature, encourages¿Resourcefulness and Resilience. Students undertake intensive¿classes, rehearsals and performance schedules¿which¿develop their skillset through practice. They learn¿to navigate uncertainty, to deal with risks and challenges, and to encourage personal considerations of future visions.¿ ¿Real-World¿¿working schedules and¿assessments¿reflect the resilience and resourcefulness required for a¿ Musical Theatre career,¿which, simultaneously,¿nurture students¿ self-management skills.¿¿¿Classes, rehearsals and performances feature independent and collaborative learning, peer support, problem-solving, communication, independence, perseverance, stamina self-value and critical thinking, all of which promote resilience and resourcefulness.¿¿The classes and the structure of the¿verbal and written¿feedback enable students to build a holistic¿view of their individual process.¿Students are supported throughout (and beyond) their training by expert staff with practitioner backgrounds, and a majority of¿full-time staff are Mental Health First Aid trained and can give advice and guidance on where to seek further help ¿ again, enabling students to take control of their learning and any barriers to learning.¿¿¿ Sustainability¿: Students are encouraged to contextualise their learning and reflect on their current and future social,¿cultural,¿ethical, political, economic, and environmental impact from a personal, professional and global perspective,¿and to recognise their shared responsibility.¿¿ Students are encouraged to reflect on the values, perceptions, and actions of their own, of others and of characters they are portraying in rehearsal and performance, and the impact this has on audiences.¿¿All GSA productions are planned and designed to meet high sustainability standards: props, sets and costumes are designed to be re-used and recycled where possible. GSA has the strongest commitment to working on productions 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 2025/6 academic year.