MFA — 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 module introduces students to key principles, skills and techniques required to facilitate actor training in a variety of teaching and learning contexts, including, but not limited to schools, community groups, professional training, education outreach activities and online learning across diverse communities. Learning and Teaching processes will be examined through the lenses of acting, voice and movement.

This module extends learning undertaken in 1st Year of the programme. In this module students undertake a coordinated series of technique classes, workshops and master classes that aim to encourage and foster the skills needed for continuing professional practice within the industry. Classes will be responsive to the needs of specific cohorts of students. The module includes technical classes in Acting, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Commercial, Audition Technique, 121 Singing and Repertoire. The Dance classes are streamed by ability to ensure appropriate learning contexts for all levels of competence. The aims of this compulsory module are to develop and extend existing knowledge and to develop secure and consistent techniques. It will focus on the physical and intellectual requirements of individual disciplines, the understanding and application of terminology, and the ability to incorporate a sense of performance. The work will be influenced by the creations and processes of a diverse range of renowned practitioners. All classes will concentrate on the development of technique, presentation, style, reflection, theory, opinion, imagination and the vocabulary required in the study and performance of Musical Theatre. This module encourages students to comprehend healthy diet, sleep, exercise, appropriate screen time, appropriate working hours and promotes Equity Safe spaces. The module promotes positive working ethics: collaboration, kindness, support, understanding, listening and integrity. Care is given to understand the cultural, physical, social and individual differences of learners. The lineage of the dance and singing styles is understood to be complex and care is given that each class is taught from an inclusive perspective.

Students will be cast and directed in a new musical commissioned by GSA. There will be developmental workshops with the writing team and four or five weeks of full-time rehearsals followed by a performance week of dress rehearsals and performances. The New Musical will be supported by a production creative team of appropriate professionals who will give continuous feedback on student progress throughout the course of rehearsals. The commissioned writers and subject matter will be chosen with an awareness and comprehension of the continually developing Global perspective within the industry. Directors and production staff are selected from members of the faculty, the production courses and from a pool of professional working directors and technicians. Students will develop skills acquired in Year 1 of the programme and in all prior training by applying them to a new writing, providing challenges of creating original characters without reference to previous productions. Guidance on appropriate methodologies and the determining of appropriate goals will be given by the Director, Choreographer/Movement Director and Musical Director.

This module extends learning undertaken in 1st Year of the programme. The module is designed to facilitate entry into the profession. This module caters to the specific professional and creative interests of the student; ensuring preparation for and engagement with the musical theatre industry, at the requisite skill level, and demonstrating appropriate skills and reflection through practical and written methods. Agent Feedback Forum The student will choose audition material which is presented in Agent Feedback Forum. This consists of a panel of industry professionals assembled to advise students on their choice of audition material, presentation and associated materials. Industry Showcase Students will research and select appropriate materials, followed by an intensive rehearsal period culminating in a (filmed or live) Industry Showcase which agents and casting directors are invited to view. Critical Analysis of Practice A 2,000 word written Critical Analysis of Practice essay, will be undertaken to evaluate own practice and to consider contrasting ways of performative or pedagogic methods. Sustained Independent Project (SIP) A Sustained Independent Project (SIP) empowers the student to choose an assessment option which most suits their needs and creative/professional goals, during which they will receive guidance and supervision from staff according to expertise. Students may choose one of 4 options: A solo live performance (40 minutes), The creation of a short film (25 minutes),  A Teaching Portfolio, or an Essay. The briefs for each of these projects are in a Briefing document on SurreyLearn. Care is given to understand the cultural, physical, social and individual differences of learners.

Students will be cast and directed in a Performance selected by GSA. This piece will be rehearsed and performed by an Ensemble which may comprise both MFA Actors and MFA Musical Theatre students. The selection of the Performance Piece will be determined by the skills and dynamics available in the student group(s) and will be chosen with an awareness and comprehension of the continually developing Global perspective within the industry. There will be four or five weeks of full-time rehearsals followed by a performance week of dress rehearsals and performances. The Collaborative Ensemble Performance Piece will be supported by a production creative team of appropriate professionals who will give continuous feedback on student progress throughout the course of rehearsals. Directors and production staff are selected from members of the faculty, the production courses and from a pool of professional working directors and technicians