ObjectivesStudents will develop practical skills across the three disciplines involved in Music Theatre, and will gain an understanding of the requirements of period, style and dramatic context. Whilst singing, acting and dance are each treated and taught as separate disciplines, students will learn to always consider their relationship to each other in Music Theatre and their combined contribution to storytelling.
Course descriptionThe course comprises an intensive skills building program throughout the three years across the principal disciplines of singing, acting and dance. Students will be able to apply these skills in practice in fully staged musical theatre shows in the latter stages of the course, in addition to experiencing collaboration involved in staging new works. The course offers significant industry contact through workshops and master classes, an Artist in Residence Program and the breadth of professional performing artists teaching in the course.
Year 1
758130 VOICE STUDIES 1
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 120 hours per year.
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
Voice Studies is designed to explore the world of voice production and its application specific to the Music Theatre genre. Particular focus will be on the physiological understanding of the human voice as an infinitely variable, expressive instrument and the relevance and practice of this within the confines of past, present and future-driven music theatre voice usage. Throughout this subject, the phenomenon of individual voice difference will be taken into account and students will be encouraged to explore and value these differences in themselves and others. An ongoing focus of this subject will be the study of the inextricable link between technical voice study and artistic expression, taking into account ‘the actor’ as the germinal cell in all dramatic human voice production.
The contact hours will be divided between small and large ensembles and individual lessons.
Assessment:
Continuous: Assessment is based upon class participation and interaction and commitment as demonstrated by a regular updated journal of activities (c. 1,800 words) embracing all areas studied, level of preparation, and the degree to which stated outcomes have been achieved. (40%)
Formal: Two presentations of 12 minutes each demonstrating technical and artistic progress of an appropriate standard (60%).
Time Commitment: 120 hours per year. Years 1/2/3: Students are expected to undertake a minimum of 60 hours of self-directed, individual practice.
758131 DANCE STUDIES 1
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 144 hours per year
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
Dance is delivered in this three-year course with a clear relationship to specific Music Theatre repertoire. The curriculum aims to develop kinaesthetically intelligent Music Theatre performers whose understanding of movement and dance as a space/ time art-form is clearly delineated by underlying dramatic aims. Particular focus will be on the relationship between musical influences and suggested physical reactions, leading to a dramatically driven understanding of different styles of choreography. A core curriculum of jazz, tap and ballet will be taught – but will move beyond these areas as necessary - with the emphasis being on the understanding of the physical form as a medium of expression. Students will gain improved posture through dance and movement techniques, benefiting also from improved health and well-being.
Subject Handout:
Dance Studies 1
Assessment:
Continuous: Assessment is based upon class participation and interaction and commitment as demonstrated by a regular updated journal of activities (c. 1,800 words) embracing all areas studied, level of preparation, and the degree to which stated outcomes have been achieved. (40%)
Formal: Performance in assessment classes as covered in the three core areas of study: Jazz, Tap and Ballet (60%)
Time Commitment:
144 hours per year. Years 1/2/3: Students are expected to undertake a minimum of 36 hours of self-directed, individual practice.
758132 ACTING STUDIES 1
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 144 hours
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
Acting in this Degree focuses on the self as the foundation of the performer’s work, whilst balancing this personal investment against the demands of serving the style and substance of story and text. This subject focuses on developing the creative and expressive potential of the actor through a thorough understanding of voice technique, self-awareness, imagination, flexibility, connection and play, whilst simultaneously developing analytical and craft-based skills to assist the performer’s development of a personal process. Specific tasks will be undertaken to identify habitual patterns and areas of resistance or difficulty and to investigate the language concepts central to the actor’s craft. Initially, the work is concerned with developing a sense of play and imaginative response, through games, storytelling, improvisation and impulse work, which will also assist in the development of performance-making skills. Subsequent work builds on this developing freedom. Text work integrates the twin requirements of working organically through personal connection, impulse and imagination, with the development of analytical skills and the practical application of these to shape the performer’s craft across material with a range of styles and demands. The focus on the self will place the actor at the centre of their work as performer and theatre maker, and will be balanced against the requirements of working as an ensemble.
Subject Handout:
Acting Studies 1
Assessment:
Continuous: Assessment is based upon class participation and interaction and commitment as demonstrated by a regular updated journal of activities (c. 1,800 words) embracing all areas studied, level of preparation, and the degree to which stated outcomes have been achieved. (40%)
Formal: Preparation and participation in assessment performance project. (60%)
Time Commitment:
144 hours Years 1/2/3: Students are expected to undertake a minimum of 36 hours or self-directed, individual practice.
758133 PRODUCTION REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE
Credit Points: 12.5
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 96 hours per year
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
Production Rehearsal and Performance is designed to explore the ensemble world of Music Theatre and the extended application of performance skills in a real-world theatrical setting. Performance work will be aligned with the requirements of ‘on-stage’ knowledge. A constant focus will be on the development of ensemble-awareness performance skills, combining the three principal areas of study. Activities will be process-based and allow students the time to develop practical abilities in a cumulative way.
Assessment:
Continuous: Assessment is based upon class participation and interaction and commitment as demonstrated by a regular updated journal of activities (c. 1,200 words) embracing all areas studied, level of preparation, and the degree to which stated outcomes have been achieved. (40%)
Formal: Presentation and performance during public performance season. (60%)
Time Commitment:
96 hours Students are expected to undertake self-directed, individual practice of 24 hours.
758134 PRACTICAL MUSICIANSHIP/KEYBOARD
Credit Points: 6.25
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 36 hours per year
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
Where knowledge is power, Practical Musicianship/Keyboard is designed to de-mystify written music notation by aligning it with practical keyboard study and music theory. Inherent in this study will be a focus on greater aural awareness and understanding. Because of the individuality of prior formal music education, the subject / teaching structure here will be dictated by individual student need.
Continuous: Assessment is based upon class participation and interaction and commitment as demonstrated by a regular updated journal of activities (c. 1,000 words) embracing all areas studied, level of preparation, and the degree to which stated outcomes have been achieved (40%).
Formal: A 12-minute performance test including aural exercises from material studied during the year (60%)
Time Commitment:
Students are expected to undertake self-directed, individual practice of 26 hours.
758135 PHILOSOPHY OF PERFORMANCE 1
Credit Points: 12.5
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 36 hours
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
Philosophy of Performance is a far-reaching subject that puts Music Theatre in context as a constantly evolving art form. The curriculum will focus on performance individuality and the development of ever-growing philosophies as related to a broader social, cultural, and historical context both on a national and international level. With detailed study of world-class performance examples drawn from the rich heritage of the C20th, focus will be drawn to the underlying ideas, philosophies and modes of being that are an underlying part of all-encompassing performance.
Subject Handout:
Philosophy of Performance 1
Assessment:
Continuous: Assessment is based upon class participation and interaction and commitment as demonstrated by a regular updated journal of activities (c. 1,500 words) embracing all areas studied, level of preparation, and the degree to which stated outcomes have been achieved. (50%)
Formal: Tutorial presentation of research project and/or an essay of c.1,500 words or equivalent suggested by subject matter presented in lectures and tutorials (50%)
Time Commitment:
36 hours Students are expected to undertake a minimum of 84 hours of self-directed, individual practice.
Year 2
758261 VOICE STUDIES 2
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
see Voice Studies 1 course description
758262 DANCE STUDIES 2
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
See Dance Studies 1 for course information.
758263 ACTING STUDIES 2
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
See Acting Studies 1 for course information.
758264 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROJECT
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 96 hours per year
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
The Artist in Residence Project is a two-part area of study. The first part is a workshop that will involve the interactive creation of a brand new performance piece and the second part is a public performance season of this new work, thus enabling students to gain performance experience in real-world situations. Central to this project is the development of the individual artist and their relationship and interaction with seminally created work. Ongoing focus will be on the interaction between personal experience and understanding as a fundamental element of both performance content and performance skill. Working with a composer/writer, this process-driven project will lead to greater comprehension of the overall creative process and will enable individuals to be better prepared for future involvement in new theatre works and to have greater respect for material already created. An ongoing focus here will be the acquisition of new, non-traditional music theatre skills.
Assessment:
Continuous: Assessment is based upon class participation and interaction and commitment as demonstrated by a regular updated journal of activities (c. 1,800 words) embracing all areas studied, level of preparation, and the degree to which stated outcomes have been achieved. (40%)
Formal: Presentation and performance during public performance season. (60%)
Time Commitment:
96 hours per year. Students are expected to undertake self-directed, individual practice of 24 hours.
758265 PHILOPSOPHY OF PERFORMANCE 2
Credit Points: 12.5
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 36 hours
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
See Philosophy of Performance 1 for subject information.
Time Commitment:
Students are expected to undertake a minimum of 84 hours of self-directed, individual practice.
Year 3
758344 VOICE STUDIES 3
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
see Voice Studies 1 for course description
758345 DANCE STUDIES 3
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
See Dance Studies 3 for course information.
758346 ACTING STUDIES 3
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
See Acting Studies 1 for course description.
758347 INDUSTRY WORKSHOP
Credit Points: 12.5
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 80 hours
Semester: Both Semesters
Subject description:
Industry workshop is designed to bridge the gap between tertiary study and professional readiness. A diverse curriculum will involve workshops and activities presented by a range of specialised industry professionals in subject areas ranging from casting agents and directors to performance psychologists and sports medicine experts. Audition technique and philosophy will be an integral part of this subject and ‘alternative’ forms of Music Theatre performance (Cabaret) will also be covered.
Assessment:
Continuous: Assessment is based upon class participation and interaction and commitment as demonstrated by a regular updated journal of activities (c. 1,200 words) embracing all areas studied (40%), performance of personal Cabaret piece (60%)
Time Commitment:
80 hours. Students are expected to undertake self-directed, individual practice of 40 hours.
758348 GRADUATING SEASON
Credit Points: 18.75
Coordinator: Coordinator: Foundation Program: Music Theatre Martin Croft
Contact hours: 160 hours
Semester: Year Long
Subject description:
Graduating Season combines a rehearsal period leading to a public performance season. An invited industry director, who will ensure that the skills of all students are maximized, will head the project. Content for this showcase will be chosen according to the individual qualities of the student cohort. Targeted industry guests will be invited to performances and the opportunity to meet individually with these people will be given to every graduating student.
Assessment:
Continuous: Assessment is based upon class participation and interaction and commitment as demonstrated by a regular updated journal of activities (c. 1,800 words) embracing all areas studied, level of preparation, and the degree to which stated outcomes have been achieved. (40%)
Formal: Presentation and performance during public performance season. (60%)
Time Commitment:
160 hours. Students are expected to undertake self-directed, individual practice of 20 hours.