Download Musical Theatre 15/25/35 Course Outline

Musical Theatre 15/25/35 Course Outline 2005 -2006
Mrs. Jennifer McKeown & Mrs. Gillian Exley
Welcome to Musical Theatre!
Musical Theatre is a course designed to help you develop skills in three major disciplines: voice,
stage movement/dance, and acting. Through the first term we will develop the skills, versatility
and confidence to transfer our efforts towards our final Musical Production. The first term will
include an orientation, auditions for the Musical, leading to initial production rehearsals. In the
second term we will continue to work as an ensemble cast and focus our energies upon our
Musical Theatre Production, which we will present at the Musical Theatre and Dance Review
during the first week back from the Winter break
The key to success in this course is EFFORT. If you put forth your best effort, and maintain a
POSITIVE ATTITUDE you will succeed. Regular attendance and participation are
mandatory, and will constitute a large portion of your mark. I expect you to be prepared for
every class (i.e. changed for movement on movement days, etc.). You will receive a schedule
(written or verbal) ahead of time, in order to know when dance/movement classes are planned,
and when we will be working on voice and acting.
Goals and Objectives:
Dance:
• develop and demonstrate basic warm up skills, consistent with the dance style studied
• develop and explore movement in relation to level, shape, direction, dimension and extension
• recognize and demonstrate different rhythms, tempos and phrasing as they relate to music and
movement combined.
• develop focus and concentration to enhance memorization of dance combinations and sequences.
• demonstrate physical competency in a variety of dance steps and techniques
• memorize and execute choreography for musical production numbers.
• recognize and demonstrate the role of dance in maintaining and continuing the Musical’s story-line.
• use gesture, movement and body language to develop characterization.
** 25/35 levels **
• choreograph solo, duet or group production numbers
Music:
• understand the use and care of the vocal instrument.
• understand and demonstrate proper warm up techniques
• demonstrate diaphragmatic breathing and breath support, and use staggered breathing to achieve
desired phrasing.
• demonstrate appropriate posture for singing in warm-ups, rehearsal and performance.
• understand and demonstrate proper musical phrasing
• project to audience through focus of sound and energy
• recognize when the voice is in tune with instruments or other voices
• demonstrate the ability to maintain correct rhythm throughout a given piece of music
• perform in large ensembles, small ensembles and solo work
• demonstrate the use of articulation, diction, dialect, word coloration, dynamics and variety of tempi
in song, that is appropriate to the character and dramatic situation
• communicate mood and emotion through voice
** 25/35 levels **
• learn notes, choreograph and perform a solo piece, independent of the teacher
Drama:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
use voice and body to communicate character, situation and style
play character transitions
show consistency of character while acting, singing and dancing
create action consistent with character’s motivation
demonstrate the ability to focus on, and achieve the objective of a scene or musical number
recognize, create, select and sustain physical details of the character from scripted material and/or
vocal score.
perform a scene or monologue from a musical
demonstrate the ability to focus on and achieve a character’s immediate objectives, and main objectives
during a scene or musical number
demonstrate the ability to focus on and achieve the character’s overall objective throughout an entire
musical or act
make logical acting choices consistent with the character, situation and style of selected material
analyze a script/score for character transitions, antecedent action, character clues and character
motivation.
** 35 level **
• direct a scene
Course Focus:
Term 1
1. Orientation/Warm-ups (4 – 5 classes)
2. Auditions for Class Production (4 – 6 classes)
3. Begin Rehearsal of Class Production
Including: Movement/Dance Exercises
Vocal Warm-ups/Exercises
Term 2
1. Warm-ups
2. Continue Rehearsal and Preparation for Class Production
**Rehearsal Schedule to be Determined
** There will be some out of class rehearsal time necessary to polish our Production closer to the
Show Date (lunch time, tutorial time and a few after school times)
3. Musical Theatre History Project
Assessment:
Students in Senior High level Drama/Musical Theatre courses will be assessed using the attached
categories and descriptors (see document following) and will be assessed using the following
breakdown:
Participation and Attitude:
Covers effort, attitude and the student’s ability or desire to
take an active role in his/her learning 30%
Skills:
Practical skills in all areas (scene work/development)
necessary to the student’s development in the art 35%
Written Work:
Theory and reflection, written critiques of professional and
in-class work
10%
Performance:
The application of concepts in a formal/polished piece or
Final Project
25%
Portfolios:
Journals have been replaced by portfolios, in which you will keep all scripts/scores you use for
rehearsal, notes and evaluations, both self evaluations and peer evaluations which you will
complete following each assignment. There will also be a number of short journal entries in
which you will comment on your own process in preparing for assignments/class presentations
and final performances.
One of the most important objectives of this course is to foster a sense of commitment to
the ensemble. Each one of you needs to make a personal contribution to our collective
endeavor. We all share the responsibility for our final product—our Musical Production.
Three Simple Rules:
1)
2)
3)
No gum
No tight pants/clothing which disallows movement –
(everyone must have dance attire for dance days).
*During production rehearsals everyone should wear
clothing appropriate for moving/acting/dancing.*
Everyone MUST participate. Non participation will
result in paper project assignments or recommendation
that the course is dropped.
Once again, welcome to Musical Theatre. We are very excited about our semester!
Mrs. McKeown & Mrs. Gillian Exley
Musical Theatre 15/25/35 Contract:
1. I understand that my attendance and participation in class is essential. If I am gravely
ill, or have an appointment that will cause me to miss class, I will inform Mrs. McKeown/
Mrs. Exley directly @ 777-6380 extension 2209 or 2211 in the morning in order
to inform the members of my group.
2. I know that I will be required to move (jump, dance, creep on the ground, etc.)
in class, and agree to wear clothing that will give me freedom of movement (i.e. if you wear
a short skirt or platform shoes to school, bring some loose pants and running shoes to class).
3. I understand the importance of being positive and supportive in class- of my
own work, the work of peers, and the ideas of other students. I know that many
people find it difficult to perform in front of an audience, and will make a
personal effort as an audience member and participant to be respectful and
encouraging. I will acknowledge that any negativity on my part will hurt not
only my own work, but may adversely affect others.
4. I have read and understand the new assessment guidelines for Fine Arts.
*****Complying with the above conditions will almost surely contribute to your success in
Musical Theatre. Failing to meet these conditions will have a negative impact upon your
level of achievement, as a portion of your final grade will be dependent upon participation
and attitude.*****
I have read and understand the above contract, and have shown these conditions and the course
outline to my parents or guardians as well.
Student Signature: