5/5/2024 3:19:46 PM	THAR 17 Course Outline as of Spring 2010	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 17	Title:  MUSICAL THTR TECHNIQUES
Full Title:  Musical Theatre Techniques
Last Reviewed:5/8/2023

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	35.00
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	3.00		17.5 min.	Lab Scheduled	52.50
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	5.00			Contact Total	87.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  34 - 4 Enrollments Total
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  THAR 65

Catalog Description:

Introduction to musical theatre performance through the study and practice of musical scenes from the Broadway stage. Emphasis is placed on the application of vocal techniques, dance movement and characterization to create a convincing performance.  Audition skills as they relate to musical theatre will be included.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion of THAR 10A OR MUSCP 17A OR DANCE 10

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Introduction to musical theatre performance through the study and practice of musical scenes from the Broadway stage. Emphasis is placed on the application of vocal techniques, dance movement and characterization to create a convincing performance.  Audition skills as they relate to musical theatre will be included.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Course Completion of THAR 10A OR MUSCP 17A OR DANCE 10
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:34 - 4 Enrollments Total

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2003	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2003	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:

1.  Stage and perform a solo audition song with emphasis on vocal performance, characterization, blocking and/or basic choreography as appropriate.

2.  Apply basic dance vocabulary and techniques to the processes of learning, rehearsing, and performing Broadway musical choreography in various styles and genres.

3.  Apply choral singing techniques to the processes of learning, rehearsing, and performing ensemble Broadway musical numbers.

4.  Analyze and create character in a musical theatre context.

5.  Identify essential elements associated with selected Broadway musicals such as historical elements, artistic styles, genres and key figures (playwrights, composers, choreographers and well-known actors associated with lead roles).

6.  Define and describe terminology associated with musical theatre productions.

Repeating Students will be able to:

1.  Perform basic dance techniques at a higher skill level.

2.  Perform choral singing techniques at a higher skill level.

3.  Demonstrate an expanded proficiency in musical theatre audition skills and solo vocal performance skills.

4.  Demonstrate through written analysis and physical performance, a broader understanding of the Broadway musical (since different musicals are studied each semester)

Topics and Scope

I.   Acting skills utilized in musical theatre

    A.  Creation of character in a musical theatre context

    B.  Dialogue within musical scenes

    C.  Stage movement

    D.  Using the body as an expressive instrument

    E.  Stage terminology associated with musical theatre productions

II.  Music/Vocal skills utilized in musical theatre

    A.  Vocal warm-ups

    B.  Study and memorization of the musical score and lyrics for selected scenes

    C.  Solo, duo and choral singing

    D.  Performance methods

        1.  Vocal presentation

        2.  Blocking

        3.  Interaction with other performers

    E.  Auditioning skills relevant to vocal performance

    F.  Music terminology associated with musical theatre productions

III. Dance skills utilized in musical theatre

    A.  Study of dance techniques and movement vocabulary derived from various dance forms (such as jazz dance, ballet, ballroom, folk, tap dance) as required for the demands of the choreography studied.

     B.  Practice in the processes of learning and executing choreography

    C.  Study of choreographic style as it relates to specific musicals

         (for example styles of Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille)

    D.  Performance/audition techniques

        1.  Projection

        2.  Energy

        3.  Movement quality

    E.  Dance terminology associated with musical theatre productions

IV. Learning and rehearsing of musical numbers and/or excerpts of numbers from

      selected musicals including singing, dancing, acting

V. Historical and contextual backdrop of selected musicals such as:

    A.  Biographical information on key figures such as playwrights, composers, choreographers,

          well-known actors in leading roles, etc.

    B.  Sociological and cultural influences on script, music and choreography

    C.  Artistic influences, styles and genres (e.g. rock opera)

    D.  Historical context of script, plot and character

Repeating Students:

The musicals studied will vary from semester to semester so specifics of the course will vary to meet the demands of the musicals studied (throughout the topics and scope). While certain basic topics such as basic stage terminology will be a review for repeating students (or any student who has had other theatre courses), the majority of the course content such as vocal material, choreographic material, blocking, styles (in music and dance), appropriate character, performance quality, historical and contextual backdrop, and audition material will change each semester.

Assignments:

1.  Practice of general vocal techniques

2.  Practice of dance steps and techniques

3.  Memorization, practice, and rehearsal of assigned parts in songs, including lyrics

4.  Memorization, practice, and rehearsal of assigned lines as applicable

5.  Memorization, practice, and rehearsal of choreography

6.  Selection, preparation, and performance of a solo audition song

7.  Mock vocal and dance audition

8.  Class performances of musical numbers or excerpts of numbers including acting, dancing and singing

9.  Completion of  1 to 3 character analyses of musical theatre characters portrayed

10.  Review the musical numbers in a live or videotaped musical (2 page critique)

11. Completion of 3 to 4 quizzes

12. Final essay exam

Repeating students will complete all of the above assignments for different musicals than the first semester the course is taken.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 20%
Character analyses, critique
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 40 - 70%
Class performances, Mock audition
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 10 - 20%
Multiple choice, True/false, Matching items, Completion, Essay
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 30%
Attendance and participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Instructor prepared materials

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