Assessment One: Report 40%
A well-written, illustrated report documenting the process of developing a group performance, including research and analysis of the chosen book musical and associated characters, and the integration of disciplines [i.e. acting, singing and dance] in order to produce a character for a musical theatre performance. Your report will include a final evaluation / conclusion and typically amount to 3000 words. [LO 1, 2]

Assessment Two: Performance 60%
An individual 20-25 minute professional contribution to a full-scale group performance to a live audience that is the culmination of a continuous assessment of your input into the rehearsal process and your ability to faithfully reproduce for performance the character you have been designated. [LO 2, 3, 4]

Formative Assessment:
Participation in discussions utilising prior research to justify creative choices leading to overarching character design and your contribution to the rehearsal and performance process.

This module will focus on the continuity of characterisation through a chronological sequence of scenes from a book musical, with the intention of developing and maintaining character through dialogue, song and choreography. The sequence may include solo, duet, trio, quartet or ensemble songs, as well as dance breaks / routines, together with connecting dialogue as written within the chosen piece.

You will embark on research into the piece and its characters, with a particular focus on your individual character, so that an accurate and convincing portrayal is delivered and maintained across multiple performance disciplines [Acting Through Song / Acting Through Dance / Triple Threat], whilst ensuring the writer's intention of the narrative within the selected piece [and its dramatic purpose in situ within the piece] is demonstrated.

You will document your research and development in the form of a report. This should demonstrate your exploration of the context of the piece, both historical and cultural, and from a local, national and international perspective as applicable, and your understanding of how this influences character development. Your report will discuss your journey through the creative process and must address the practical and technical considerations you face in preparing yourself for the application and commitment to the practical assessments, as well as the challenges of working on the selected production material [theory into practice].

For the purpose of assessment all students will be cast a role that ensures an individual contribution of at least 20-25 minutes of the full-scale group performance to a live audience. Irrespective of the size of your role you will be expected to commit to the rehearsal process and final performance, working in a professional manner with cast members and the creative team. You will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of health and safety including appropriate application of warm-up activities for vocal and dance aspects whilst preparing for a piece.

1. DEPLOY APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES IN THE RESEARCH AND EVALUATION OF THE CHOSEN PERFORMANCE PIECE AND THE CHARACTER YOU HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED, EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF CONTEXT ON CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT.
Enquiry
Analysis

2. MAKE SOUND JUDGMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPLEXITY OF INTEGRATING PERFORMANCE DISCIPLINES WHILST CREATIVELY DEVELOPING A CHARACTER FOR A MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE. Knowledge and Understanding

3. WORK PROFESSIONALLY AND SUPPORTIVELY WITH FELLOW CAST MEMBERS AND A CREATIVE TEAM TO DEVELOP AN INDUSTRY-STANDARD MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE THAT EFFECTIVELY INTEGRATES DISCIPLINES. EVOKE A CONVINCING CHARACTER WHEN PERFORMING TO AN AUDIENCE. Working with Others

4. WORK SAFELY AS A MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMER TO SUSTAIN A CONVINCING PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATING THE WRITER’S INTENTION OF THE NARRATIVE WITHIN THE SELECTED PIECE. Application

Learning strategies are planned to support your development of skills in integrating acting, singing and dancing, from experimenting in a secure workshop setting through to the challenge of sustaining a character in a professional theatre environment. Therefore, an emphasis will be placed on practical activities and learning will be facilitated through the following:
• active participation in acting, vocal and dance workshops
• recap on working within health and safety guidelines including warm up activities
• 1:1 and group critique
• problem solving exercises
• auditions and casting activities (practise and live)
• practical participation in rehearsal and performance of selected plays

The development of skills in research and analysis will be necessary to inform your practical work, and you will be expected to evaluate and document your experiences throughout this module. This will be supported by a combination of in-class interpersonal activities and independent study, including:
• recap workshops on research, critical analysis, reflection and report writing
• group practical research activities
• individual research and report writing
• tutorials / discussions.

Black Box Rehearsal & Performance Space
Lichfield Garrick Theatre [Studio Performance Space]
VLE
Piano
Recording equipment
Ancillary costume, prop and set equipment
Internet and IT Access
Various Stage Scripts / Stage Libretti
External professional theatre to be confirmed annually dependent on cohort requirements.

Barkworth P. [1998] About Acting: Methuen Drama
Brecht B. & Willett J. [1978] Brecht On Theatre: Methuen Drama
Deer J. & Dal Vera R. [2008] Acting in Musical Theatre: A Comprehensive Course: Routledge
Harvard P. [2013] Acting through Song: Techniques and Exercises for Musical-Theatre Actors: Nick Hern Books
Hyde Pierce D., Hagen U. & Frankel H. [2008] Respect For Acting: Jossey Bass
Kayes G. [2004] Singing and the Actor: A & C Black Publishers Ltd
Merlin B. [2007] The Complete Stanislavski Toolkit: Nick Hern Books
Moore T. & Bergman A. [2008] Acting the Song - Performance Skills for the Musical Theatre: Allworth Press
Stanislavski C. [2013] An Actor Prepares: Bloomsbury Academic
Symonds D. & Taylor M. [2014] Gestures of Music Theater: The Performativity of Song and Dance: Oxford University Press
Unwin S. [2014] The Complete Brecht Toolkit: Nick Hern Books

Online resources
Blue Gobo – www.bluegobo.com
YouTube – www.youtube.com
Musicals101 – www.musicals101.com