Year 1 Contextual Studies Module

Outliers Acting Through Song Malcolm Gladwell Penguin Paul Harvard Nick Hern 2009 2013

Module MT5:

UK Credits: ECTS: Level:

Year 1 Contextual Studies

5 2.5 HE4

Outline

You will gain an understanding of how current musical theatre evolved and will develop your ability to become a thinking, reflective performer. Students who are training for a career in musical theatre need to develop a command of their subject. You will achieve this by critical reflection and appraisal of your own and others’ work and by becoming aware of the background to the art-form. The module includes: • Modular classes introducing you to the musical theatre canon • A reflective journal of your acting project • Occasional organised theatre trips

Aims

To enable you to • understand the background of musical theatre so as to inform and enhance your practice as a performer • extend your knowledge beyond the immediate requirements of your technical practice • become an informed and articulate performer

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this module, you will be expected to be able to demonstrate: Knowledge and Understanding • understanding of the roles of the composer, librettist, lyricist and choreographer • awareness of the significant developments in musical theatre dramatic, musical and choreographic practices • appreciation of the interconnection of the libretto, the music and dance Skills • the ability to undertake relevant research • the ability to critically reflect on your training • the ability to incorporate personal reflections into a written journal Values and Attitudes • an appreciation of different musical, dramatic and choreographic styles in musical theatre

History of Musical Theatre

Tutor Chris Cuming, Heather Nimmo Tutor led Hours 1.25 x 14 = 17.5 hours

Aims

To enable you to acquire: • a broad based historical knowledge of the development of the dramatic, choreographic and musical styles and genres in the Musical Theatre form • a comparative and contextual understanding and appreciation of acting, dance and music in the Musical Theatre form • A practical introduction to research and dramaturgic skills

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this component, you will be expected to be able to demonstrate: Knowledge and Understanding • intelligent understanding of the key cultural, historical and creative developments which led to the creation of the modern musical • creative understanding of the influence of key creative personnel that have helped shape and define musicals across the 20th century and into the 21st

Skills • the ability to engage with the works of the key writers and composers in musical theatre • an ability to conduct independent research into musical theatre history

How will I learn?

At induction, you will take part in a workshop giving you an overview of the evolution of modern musical theatre, from its roots in classical theatre through to the birth of opera, and the popular musical entertainments of the 19th and early 20th century. You will be introduced to current and past developments in musical theatre, and these subjects will form the basis for class discussion and further research. You will be encouraged to see as much theatre as possible, and where possible we will arrange for discounted or in some cases free tickets.

Critical Reflection

Tutor Dan Bird Tutor Led Hours 2 hours tutorial support

Aim

To enable you to reflect on your work in the course of rehearsals and performance.

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this component, you will be expected to be able to:

Skills • research into the background of the play, musical or dance piece being rehearsed • research into your character and situation • evaluate your work in rehearsal and performance

How will I learn?

With tutorial support, you will write a Research and Development Diary for your acting project, and then write a more formal Critical Reflection which interrogates your progress and understanding across the preparation, rehearsal and performance of the project. You will keep a R&D diary of the other two projects, and for your second S&D project, but there is no requirement to formalise these notes for submission. See ‘Critical Reflection Requirements’ at the end of this handbook for full details.

Professional Practice Portfolio

Tutor Dan Bird Tutor Led Hours 1 hour tutorial support During talks and lectures you are required to take notes which should be later typed up and placed in the portfolio, along with any handouts. The portfolio should be separated into relevant sections or headings, each section marked for easy reference, e.g. Personal Health and Fitness, etc. In Year 1 the portfolio should normally contain: Notes from personal development talks (usually police safety, sexual health, nutrition, stress management, wellbeing and mindfulness) Singing/Repertoire lists Project feedback sheets Feedback sheets from all 1st year assessments

Aim

To enable you to reflect on your training.

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this component, you will be expected to be able to: Knowledge and Understanding • understand and reflect on different aspects of your training Skills • evaluate your work in rehearsal and performance

MODULE TEACHING PATTERN

Teaching Component Type Contact Hours Self Directed Study Hours Total Student Learning Hours

History of Musical Theatre Lectures and seminars 17.5 14.5 32

Critical Reflection Tutorial and self directed study

Professional Practice Portfolio (PPP) Tutorials and self directed study

Total

2 10 12

1 5

6

20.5 29.5 50

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on your classwork in the History of Musical Theatre component, on the Critical Appraisal which you will write after the acting project in the Year 1 Performance Module, and on the Professional Practice Portfolio which you will submit in June.

MODULE ASSESSMENT PATTERN

Assessment Component

Assessment Type History of Musical Theatre Classwork

Weight ing

Pass Mark Pass/Fail n/a n/a Yes

Critical Reflection Written assignment n/a n/a Yes

PPP Written assignment n/a n/a Yes

What do I have to do to pass?

You are required to pass each of the three components in order to pass the module. Contextual Studies does not carry any weighting in the Year 1 overall mark but you are required to pass the module in order to progress to Year 2. Indicative grades will be given for the project journal, and assessment criteria for written work can be found at the back of this handbook.

How and when will I get feedback on my assessments?

You will receive written feedback from the marker on your Critical Reflection and verbal feedback on the PPP from your Head of Year.

READING LIST

Title Author Publisher Year Broadway, the Golden Years R Emmet Long Applause 1998 Changing Stages Richard Eyre Bloomsbury 2001 Broadway Babies Say Goodnight Mark Steyn Faber 2000 Musicals Kurt Gänzl Carlton 1996