Musical Theatre

This module is an introduction to basic principles of vocal sound production technique from a holistic perspective. Fundamentals use the Power, Source, Filter model and include: application of breathwork, exploration of physicality and techniques for the use of resonators and articulators. There is also an ensemble component, working on skills such as  harmony singing and blending vocal sounds as well as Acting Through Song where skills in performance will be considered in a practical setting. Although the work is mainly practical, there is some consideration of reflective practice and the compilation of a singing repertoire folder which links to other modules. Lessons will focus on individual and group work through demonstration and observation and take the form of taught classes and a masterclass setting.                                                                

The module will be presented as a series of lecture/seminars introducing key practitioners, concepts, and contexts, exploring how the history of musical theatre performance informed – and was informed by – social and cultural developments across cultures, societies, and art forms. It will encourage students to understand performance in relation to historical, cultural, social, and political contexts to inform their practical work on other modules. The module will contextualise musical theatre from a variety of broader perspectives, say gender or national identity, and will require students to consider their practical work in relation to the context(s) in which said work was written and first performed.

This performance ‘training’ module will introduce students to a variety of foundational techniques and skills that will be assessed specifically in this module, with the expectation that these skills will also be implemented to further augment performance skills in other modules/projects. The module will explore several different acting techniques, be it ‘mining the text’ or ‘viewpoints’, and engage with the work of key practitioners, i.e. Stanislavski, Meisner. Students will work on both individual and group material to develop as both an individual actor, but also as a group – or ensemble – member.

This module will provide a foundation for students by introducing, and exploring through practice, several key texts, textual approaches, practitioners, and broader approaches to acting in musical theatre.

The module focuses on the development of the performer by building skills, knowledge and understanding through safe dance practice. Ballet and Jazz techniques, practices and approaches will underpin the classes on the module, supported by viewing live and video dance performance. Students will explore a range of movement styles and approaches with an aim of building their physical and expressive capacity. Focus will be on strength, flexibility, alignment and coordination to enable the exploration of different dance techniques and performance styles. Students will be encouraged to integrate these approaches to develop an individual embodiment for application in choreographic contexts dancing alone and as part of an ensemble/chorus.

This module is taken in Semester 1 

This module explores the musical theatre “industry” in the widest possible sense, with specific focus on performer mentality (e.g., mindsets and rehearsal etiquette), the different roles or jobs within the industry, and transferable skills. It will also look at the ways in which performers secure work in musical theatre, with a particular focus on the audition process. Students will learn the importance of a wide repertoire, how to present themselves in a professional manner, and what is expected of them in an audition setting.

This module is taken in Semester 2

This performance ‘project’ enables students to engage critically and creatively with a variety of musical theatre texts, styles, and genres. The module employs skills developed in other modules to empower students as both individual and ensemble performers. The first portion of the module is dedicated to crafting a devised piece of performance. Students study several key improvisation/devising techniques and practices, devise a variety of solo or small performance pieces, before constructing (with the guidance of the tutor) a group performance for assessment. The second portion is dedicated to constructing a ‘showcase’ of materials developed across modules: a performance of excerpts from several existing musicals, many of which will be contrasting in terms of style, genre, tone, compositional practice, time period, context, and so on.

This module allows students to focus on the development of their own voice in relation to singing a range of musical theatre repertoire. Drawing on the knowledge and exploration undertaken at level 4 this module will facilitate the further development of individual student vocal potential across a range of genres and contexts, with the aim of developing the student voice capable of operating confidently across musical theatre styles. Focus will be placed on the development of technical confidence, competence and understanding in order to facilitate engagement with a range of texts and repertoires across the spectrum of vocal use in both solo and small group work. The development of critical thinking, analysis and reflective practice will be an important component of the module. Classes will mainly be practical focusing on individual and small group work and taught through a range of teaching styles including masterclasses and student demonstration/observation.

This performance ‘training’ module will further student’s existing knowledge and understanding of key acting techniques and skills for level 5 study. The module will both expand and introduce several different acting techniques, be it ‘actioning’ or ‘states of tension’, and engage with the work of key practitioners, i.e. Meisner. Students will work on both individual and group material to develop as both an individual actor, but also as a group – or ensemble – member. This module will enable students to engage with, and exploring through practice, several key texts, textual approaches, practitioners, and broader approaches to acting in musical theatre. 

The module focuses on the development of the dancer’s skills through their application in creative and critical reflection. Jazz techniques, approaches and reflective practices will underpin the classes on the module at a more advanced level than level four, supported by an engagement with literature on experiential learning. Awareness of and sensitivity towards a range of approaches to studio practice and materials will prepare students to refine and demonstrate their learning. Students will integrate their physical and creative skills and comprehension in phrasing movement patterns and ideas. Student will be encouraged to develop their responsivity to working with others in ensemble practice. 

This theoretical module will focus on understanding the way musical theatre performance responds to and is received in the context of history, genre, form, and socio-cultural identity politics. It will introduce key theoretical concepts, including globalisation, interculturalism, adaptation, and postmodernism, plus key political developments such as identity politics (i.e. feminism or intersectionality) and theories of the body to challenge the idea that musical theatre is simply ‘entertainment’. It will be taught through lectures, seminars, and classroom discussions and tasks. The work of this module will inform the practical exploration in other modules and projects. 

This module is taken in Semester 1

This module will develop employability-focused skills through a ‘swing’ project in which they learn several roles (or tracks) within a section of material (e.g., a portion of an act of a musical). This will demonstrate the flexibility required in being a working performer, many of which who are highly skilled at performing a different ‘track’ at a moment’s notice.

This module is taken in Semester 2

New musical theatre works are constantly being created for professional performance, community contexts, and for other environments. In this module you will have the opportunity to perform a short musical theatre work that is new to you or that you have made a contribution to creating. This process of working on newer material will help you to understand the ways in which musical theatre functions differently for audiences than for performers, to learn about the processes of translating a work from page to stage, and to begin to understand the dramaturgies of musical theatre. This second semester module focuses on the rehearsal and small scale inhouse production of new musical theatre pieces that are at a later stage of development and the writers are ready to see how their musical plays in its entirety in front of small audiences. This module may require additional rehearsal time to effectively mount the whole show. 

This module is designed to combine elements of learning from across the degree together, including creative devising, directing and dramaturgy, the implementation of dance skills to create choreography, acting, singing, as well as the industry module. Students will form small companies to engage in a process of experiential guided learning to gain experience in forming a company and making work. The module synthesises this practical focus with exploring certain business and funding models to provide deeper understanding of the infrastructure of the theatre industry. The aim is to give students the confidence to create similar work beyond the degree as a means of creating meaningful employment. 

This module is taking in Semester 2 

This production module offers the opportunity for students to be involved in a large, directed musical theatre performance. Students will be required to conduct background research about the musical, the context, and their role, to attend rehearsals and to develop their roles using techniques learned elsewhere on the programme. This module focuses on the development of preparatory materials and the rehearsal process. 

This module is taken in Semester 2

This production module offers the opportunity for students to be involved in a large, directed musical theatre performance. Students will be required to conduct background research about the musical, the context, and their role, to attend rehearsals and to develop their roles using techniques learned elsewhere on the programme. This module focuses on the final performance.

• Technique and Repertoire (Showcase)- 30 Credits

This module continues training and further develops technical skills in acting, voice, choreography and dance, while simultaneously expanding student knowledge of repertoire and styles. The module aims to allow students to develop high-quality performance materials for online show reels etc., while also better preparing them for live auditions and movement calls. With a focus on employability, this module aims to guide students to develop material through the holistic development of skills and repertoire modelled into performances for a digital showcase which could be presented to agents. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their material and to be involved in the process through research, rehearsal, performance and postproduction to produce a high-quality finished product which will capture the essence of them as a performer.

• Dissertation

This module will provide students with the opportunity to plan and implement an individual piece of written research. Students will be required to submit a research proposal for consideration before moving to supervised learning. The result of this individual research project will be a written document of 8,000 – 10,000 words.