12/27/2024 9:12:41 AM	THAR 17 Course Outline as of Fall 2024	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		8 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:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  THAR 65

Catalog Description:

Students will be introduced 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:

Students will be introduced 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:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

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

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Perform a musical number from a selected Broadway musical incorporating appropriate choral singing, dancing, and acting skills.

2. Audition for the vocal and dance segments of a musical theatre production, effectively demonstrating preparation and deportment, as well as fundamental vocal skills, basic dance techniques, performance quality, and characterization.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should 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.

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, and hip hop) 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, Susan Stroman, and Andy Blankenbuehler)

    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

 

All items in the topics and scope are covered in the lecture and lab portions of the course.

Assignments:

1. Practice of:

    A. General vocal techniques

    B. Dance steps and techniques

2. Memorization, practice, and rehearsal of:

     A. Assigned parts in songs, including lyrics

    B. Assigned lines as applicable

    C. Choreography

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

4. Mock vocal and dance audition

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

6. Completion of character analyses of musical theatre characters portrayed (1-3)

    A. Completion of character analyses of musical theatre characters portrayed (1-3)

    B. Critique musical numbers in a live or videotaped musical

7. Writing assignment: review the musical numbers in a live or videotaped musical (750-word minimum)

8. Completion of quizzes (3-4)

9. Final essay exam

 

All assignments are covered in the lecture and lab portions of the course.

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 and critique; writting assignment
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%
Practice; memorization, practice, and rehearsal; mock audition; class performances
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 10 - 20%
Quizzes; final essay exam
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:

Acting in Musical Theatre: A Comprehensive Course, 3rd ed. Deer, Joe and Dal Vera, Rocco. Routledge. 2021. ISBN 9780367233365

Instructor prepared materials

 

OTHER REQUIRED ELEMENTS

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