Year 2 Contextual Studies Module

Module MT10:

UK Credits: ECTS: Level:

Year 2 Contextual Studies

5 2.5 HE5

Outline

You will build on the knowledge of musical theatre you acquired in Year 1, developing an understanding of current musical theatre creative and professional practices, and reflecting on your own and others’ work.

Overall Aims

To enable you to • Further extend your knowledge beyond the immediate requirements of your technical practice • Become an informed and articulate performer

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge and Understanding On successful completion of the module you should have further developed your understanding of: • the roles of technical, design and executive personnel in professional musical theatre • significant developments in current musical theatre dramatic, musical and choreographic practices

Current Musical Theatre Practice

Module Co-ordinators Jonathan O’Boyle Tutor Visiting tutors Tutor led Hours 1 hour x 20 weeks = 20 hours

Aims

To enable you to continue 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 the role of different design and technical personnel in the production of a professional musical • an understanding of the role of executive personnel in the current musical theatre industry

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this component, you will be expected to have further developed your knowledge and understanding of: • the influence of current musical theatre practitioners on the development of the musical theatre industry • the role of sound and lighting designers, technicians, production and stage management in the production of a musical

• the expectations of agents and casting directors at audition and interview • the role of agents and casting directors in promoting an actor’s career

How will I learn?

A series of professional practice talks by visiting musical theatre practitioners, technicians, creatives, agents, casting directors and producers.

Wellbeing, Yoga and Mindfulness

Tutor visiting tutors Tutor led Hours 1.25 x 13 = 16.25

Aims

To allow you time in a busy and challenging timetable to practise and promote wellbeing and resilience through yoga practice and relaxation techniques, to support you in all areas of your life.

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this component, you will be expected to be able to demonstrate progress in: Skills • the acquisition and application of yoga poses • the practice of a variety of relaxation techniques • higher levels of stamina, strength and concentration Knowledge and Understanding • intelligent understanding of mindfulness • understanding of how to care for your own mental health in the same way as you care for your physical health (‘mental hygiene’) Values and Attitudes • appreciation of the importance of focusing on your own wellbeing • sensitivity in your working relationships with others • openness to new ideas and approaches

How will I learn?

You will participate in a sequence of workshop classes introducing you to yoga practice, mindfulness and the promotion of wellbeing. Yoga helps cultivate personal empowerment, confidence, clarity and creativity. It develops our ability to stay focused, inspired and motivated. The practice of yoga and mindfulness can lead to greater self awareness and higher levels of consciousness in day to day life, improving relationships and helping you to achieve your potential. Class activities will be structured as follows: Tuning into the breath and physical sensations Waking up the body Flowing sequences exploring range of motion, stability, strength and fluidity Meditation and breath work Relaxation

Critical Reflection

Tutor Dan Bird Tutor Led Hours 2 hours of tutorial support

Aim

To enable you to further develop your ability 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, Knowledge and Understanding • 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?

You are required to keep a Research and Development diary during the jazz dance classes, and you will formalise your notes of the Jazz (Swing) into critical appraisal form for assessment.

Professional Practice Portfolio

Tutor TBC Tutor Led Hours 45 minutes of tutorial support During talks and masterclasses you are required to take notes, these notes should then be typed up in detail 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, Nutrition, etc. In Year 2 the portfolio should normally contain: Professional practice talks Vocal health handouts Speech warm up handouts Accent handouts Master classes (all guest teachers) Mock auditions/Performance Class Notes on pantomime auditions Jazz/Dance assessment feedback Swing maps Singing/Repertoire lists Feedback sheets from all 1st & 2nd year assessments Project feedback sheets

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: Skills, Knowledge and Understanding • evaluate your work in rehearsal and performance • understand and reflect on different aspects of your training • understand your own casting potential

MODULE TEACHING PATTERN

Teaching Component Type Contact Hours

Current Musical Theatre Practice Wellbeing, Yoga and Mindfulness Lectures and seminars 20

Workshop classes 16.25

Self Directed Study Hours Total Student Learning Hours 20

16.25

Critical Reflection Tutorial and selfdirected study

Professional Practice Portfolio Tutorial and selfdirected study

Total

2 7 9

0.75 4 4.75

39 11 50

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on your classwork in the Current Musical Theatre Practice component, on the Critical Reflection which you will write after Dance (Swing) classes, on Character Questions for Audition/Performance class songs and on the Professional Practice Portfolio which you will submit in June.

MODULE ASSESSMENT PATTERN

Assessment Component Assessment Type

Current Musical Theatre Practice Classwork

Weighting

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

Critical Reflection PPP Written assignment n/a n/a Yes 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 2 overall mark but you are required to pass the module in order to progress to Year 3.

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

The Spotlight n/a

The Spotlight 2012 The Actor’s Handbook Jill Fenner Bloomsbury 1998 An Actor’s Guide to Getting Work S. Dunmore A&C Black 2001