MA — 2024 entry Musical Theatre

This Dance module seeks to develop and refine a secure and consistent technique in Dance and Physical skills. Central to the module are core classes in Jazz, Ballet and Tap, with the addition of Commercial Dance in Term Two.  These classes are streamed by ability to ensure appropriate learning contexts for all levels of competence by a streaming system, focused on prior learning and initial assessment – apart from Commercial Dance which is taught as a cohort of Level 7 Musical Theatre students. In addition, Pilates is studied to ensure a thorough overview of the body and understanding of the needs of movement, health, and precision in performance.  The module aims to improve posture and placing, and to develop the requisite strength, flexibility, stamina and personal resilience necessary to sustain a career in Musical Theatre. All classes will concentrate on the development of technique, presentation, style, and the dance vocabulary required in the study and performance of Musical Theatre.  As the module develops over three teaching blocks, knowledge is developed and extended to secure a consistent fundamental technique. Not only will it focus on the physical requirements of the individual dance disciplines but also on the comprehension and application of terminology and the ability to incorporate a sense of performance to dance and physical work  

This module focuses on the integration and skills of Spoken and Singing Vocal Technique necessary for    employability in Musical Theatre.  Spoken Voice classes are practical in nature and allow a student to explore techniques by sequential practice. Training is undertaken in vocal anatomy and vocal physiology. Classes will explore accent diversity, diction & voice maintenance, and a variety of literature will be studied to fully integrate the spoken voice with the written word.  Singing classes are also practical, with exploration of the anatomical, technical & physiological elements of singing. Classes include - Individual Singing Tutorials, Ensemble Singing Class, and Technical Singing Skill Class.  As the module progresses, students examine technical control, use of voice qualities and the vocal performance required for a variety of historical and cultural genres and styles.  In both Singing and Spoken voice, a comprehension and application of terminology will be explored. This module runs concurrently with Rehearsal & Performance, and the vocal styles required for the rehearsal and performance and the essential growth of training required for a student over three Teaching Blocks are purposefully aligned with those texts and scores.   

This year long module introduces students to the process of casting, rehearsing, and performing Musical Theatre at a professional level. Across three separate projects students will undertake showings of work that has been realized in the rehearsal room and also a public performance of a fully realized and resourced piece of musical theatre with a creative team. Alongside this, students will also reflect on their studies in the form of a journal that aims to link the technical skills classes with the first of the two Musical Theatre Projects.

This module is founded upon a commitment to integrate Acting with Text, Voice, and the Body to acquire the requisite skills necessary for a career in Musical Theatre. Acting Fundamentals explores the key approaches to building character and delivering work in performance in a truthful and performatively sound way. Material covered/chosen will be reflective of the continually developing global perspective within the theatre industry, with an understanding and awareness of the history and context from which it is derived. This class runs at the very start of the module across the first five weeks of study. Song Interpretation (TB1) In this class work on text and score begins to explore how we produce meaning, emotion and understand the motivation of writers in acting through song. This is aligned to work on scenes and character that also inform the process of creating a performing in character. Acting in Musical Theatre 2 (TB2) Building on the work delivered in TB1 this part of the module looks at extended sequences from Musical Theatre and the wider Music Theatre cannon. Dance is also included here – enabling students to explore the progression of character through dialogue, song and dance. Teaching delivery will be designed and planned to be accessible for all students.

This year long module introduces students to the context of Musical Theatre within the Creative Industries and enables students to engage with and create work for personal professional engagement. In a series of seminars, reflective tutorials, showcase rehearsals and performances the groundwork is laid for a sustainable and robust approach to entering Musical Theatre and the wider Creative Industries. The module also contains the major summer term written project which draws on critical and reflective skills to look back upon the training and reach conclusions about Musical Theatre and the wider Creative Industries. A Digital Portfolio Reel is also submitted, ensuring that students complete the course of study with an industry facing ¿calling card¿ that can be used beyond graduation.