Performance Portfolio (100%)
An annotated portfolio of work comprising:
• Evidence of research, planning and rehearsal for a full-length contemporary musical theatre production
• Participation in a live full-length contemporary musical theatre production to an audience
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Formative Assessment
Observation of engagement in practical activity
Participation in discussions and progress reviews

Contemporary musical theatre is often derived from the traditional, though it is also true to say that much new material is being created, leading contemporary works to become more diverse and dramatic. Developing writing styles, influences of modern music, cultural and socio-economic change can all be experienced through musical theatre work today. There is an ever increasing importance placed on choreography and expression. Modern musical theatre works ever more address challenging political and social issues presenting new dimensions to the contemporary audience.

In this module, you will continue to develop and integrate your ability in the key musical theatre disciplines of acting, singing and dance. You will be aiming to a professional standard, building confidence and proficiency, making more independent decisions with regards to your employment preferences and have an increasing understanding of the requirements of mounting a full length musical theatre production. The focus in this module is on contemporary musical theatre. You will explore a variety of contemporary plays, critically considering background material and characters, and their relevance to a specific audiences and consider what makes a contemporary musical theatre production successful or otherwise.

This exploration will underpin your creative practical work. Negotiating within a team you will collaboratively plan for an original creative response to the task of producing a full length contemporary musical theatre production to a given play, and demonstrating appropriate contextual awareness. You will audition and be cast a role in this contemporary musical theatre play and will develop your character through a balance of acting, dancing and singing skills in accordance with the nature of that role. You will participate in rehearsal and group critique, experimenting with ideas and concepts to ultimately produce a creative and original interpretation of a full length contemporary musical theatre production. This will be performed in front of an audience in a professional theatre setting.

It will be necessary to carry out a substantial amount of work in your own time, and you may draw upon a wide range of sources in order to bring the material and your character to life during workshops, rehearsals and eventual performance. Your ability to work in a conscientious, supportive, committed manner - embracing etiquette, dedication, focus, research and ability to take direction and advice - will all be considered at assessment, together with an ability to faithfully reproduce for the stage the performance role that has been created, explored and delivered in the rehearsal process.

Strategies in this module are active and practically focussed and will require a mix of individual and collaborative learning, both in and out of timetabled sessions. Activities will allow you to apply your existing theoretical and contextual knowledge, and creative and technical skills through full-length contemporary musical theatre production, thus allowing you to make sense of your prior learning in a professional work related context. You will continue to learn from others by exploring existing work and by making connections with the tasks you have been set. These tasks will challenge you to combine and refine your abilities through practise, discovery and problem solving. The assignment will require you to engage in independent learning through research into the performance as a whole and the character that you are portraying, whether this is from primary and/or secondary sources and there will be an expectation throughout this module that you approach this requirement proactively in order that your progress is not hindered.

Learning will be facilitated through the following:
• In class research activities including an exploration of existing work via streaming services, DVD, internet, cable and satellite
• Independent research (primary and/or secondary as applicable) an including visits to the theatre
• Developmental workshops to include theoretical, contextual and technical awareness
• Rehearsals
• Auditions and castings
• Performance to audience
• Reflective practice
• Group critique and critical debate
• 1:1 tutorials and progress review

Performance Studio
Theatre Venue
IPads
CD / USB / iPod Boom Box
Internet and IT Access
Licensed script / performance material
Assorted Costumes / Props

DK. (2015) Musicals: The Definitive Illustrated Story: DK
Everett, W. A. and Laird, P.R. (2008) The Cambridge Companion to the Musical: Cambridge
University Press
Ganzl K (2004) Musicals: Carlton Books
Green, K (2014) Broadway Musicals: Show by Show: New York Applause
Henshall, R. (2012) So you want to be in Musicals? :Nick Hern Books
Hughes, M (2014) The Pocket Guide to Musicals: Remember When
Mordden, E. (2015) Anything goes: A History of American Musicals: Oxford University Press USA
Ostwald D F (2005) Acting for Singers: Creating Believable Singing Characters: Oxford University Press,
Riddle P H (2003) American Musical: History and Development: Mosaic Press
Taylor, M. & Symonds, D. (2014) Studying Musical Theatre: Theory and Practice: Palgrave Macmillan
White M (1999) Staging a Musical: A&C Black

1. DEVELOP ORIGINAL IDEAS ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER(S) AND UNDERSTAND HOW TECHNIQUES AND PROCESSES CAN BE INTEGRATED AND APPLIED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING, DEVELOPING AND PRESENTING A CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION.
[Learning]

2. EXPLORE AND EVALUATE INFORMATION SOURCES IN ORDER TO GENERATE ORIGINAL IDEAS ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER(S) AND BE ABLE TO PLAN CREATIVELY FOR A CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION DRAWING ON FORMATS AND IDEAS GENERATED IN YOUR RESEARCH.
[Enquiry]

3. RECOGNISE PROBLEMS AND PRESENT SOLUTIONS WHEN DEVELOPING ORIGINAL IDEAS FOR A CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION AND THROUGHOUT THE STAGES OF PLANNING, REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE.
[Problem Solving]

4. APPLY CONTEXTUAL KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING OF INTERRELATED ACTING DISCIPLINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING, REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE OF A CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
[Application]

5. WORK SUCCESSFULLY WITHIN A TEAM, EFFECTIVELY EXPRESSING AND LISTENING TO IDEAS AND INTENTIONS, AND ENCOURAGING CONTRIBUTION FROM OTHERS.
[Working with Others]