LEVEL 4

ACTOR TRAINING

This module introduces students to key concepts and methods relating to acting through a practical studio situation. A workshop series will deal with the basic processes of developing character and performing from text. Learners will engage with psychological, analytical and imaginative techniques and learn to apply them to physical expression, embodied in voice, movement, gesture.

Learners will engage in practical tutor-led workshops that will enable them to develop skills of communication and expression drawn from a range of theories and practices springing from the psycho-physical approaches first pioneered by Stanislavski. Throughout, learners are encouraged to reflect on the application of theory to practice and its impact on the creation of performance.

PR1 Practical Exam: Duologue Performance, 70% and CW1 Rehearsal Blog and Reflective Viva, 30%

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: MUSIC THEORY

This module is designed to completement and enhance the teaching and learning taking place in technical singing and performance modules. The module aims to establish and development professional skills which will increase learners’ opportunities for sustained employment across a range of fields and contexts. 

The module is designed to study music theory and to understanding the practical application in the working life and musical theatre performer. The aim of the module is to introduce the technical language of music, its notation and its structure. Through the completion of the module, the learner will be taught the foundations of reading music and following a score at a basic level. Learners will also explore techniques designed to support basic keyboard skills (picking out a single melody line), sight singing and marking scores for audition pianists.

PR1 Individual aural skill assessment 100%

FOUNDATIONS IN DANCE

This module offers learners opportunities to develop core dance skills in a range of dance styles. This includes an understanding of core posture, alignment, co-ordination, flexibility, strength, balance, dynamics and quality of movement in a range of styles.

Learners will have the opportunity for self-reflection and self-assessment and will monitor their own progress throughout the module. In addition, the module will include classes in experiential anatomy to allow learners to understand how the body works and to enable them to begin to scientifically analyse and adapt movements to suit their own needs.

PR1 Practical process-based assessment – ongoing monitoring of attendance and engagement in classes and submission of training journal 100%

DEVELOPMENT IN DANCE TECHNIQUES

This will continue on from Foundations in Dance Technique as it is essential for dancers to have practical technique classes across the whole academic year to ensure healthy and safe practice and guarantee continuous technical progression. This module will focus on application of technique into set and unset jazz exercises. The module will use experiential dance science classes to progress learners’ technical understanding and application of correct dance technique in a range of dance styles.

PR1 Practical Skills Assessment: Demonstration of set and unset jazz exercises, 60%. PR2 Oral Presentation: Analysis of a specific dance exercise, 40%

SINGING AND APPLIED VOICE

This module will comprise of taught elements including practical singing classes and seminars to allow for rich discussion and application of theory into practice.

The module is intended to focus on the anatomy of voice and breath complement therefore practical workshops will be used to explore the production of a supported and safe singing voice in a range of styles. Learners are taught how to design and practice a progressive vocal warm-up from a selection of dynamic exercises, learners will select 3 progressive exercises and will plan and deliver them to their peers.

PR1 Performance of a solo song 40%, PR2 Independently structure and lead a vocal technical warm up, 30% CW1 Research essay: integrating the anatomy of vocal production and evaluating a range of exercises and techniques designed to support the voice, 30%.

VARIETY AND CABARET

This module incorporates learning undertaken in previous modules and focuses on developing and applying skills on within producing a variety and cabaret performance. This will enable learners to develop practical experience and understanding of the art form.

Research, discussion and exploration will be used to draw upon repertoire and practices from music hall, vaudeville, the theatrical review, the European cabaret tradition and contemporary cabaret performance. Whilst this performance genre offers an extremely broad canvas of exploration, it is expected that the performance produced by the cohort will include the application of different styles and genres within the contextual framework.

PR1 Performance: Multi disciplined technical application of skills in context, 60% CW1 Essay: Reflect and evaluate the application of different styles and genres within the contextual, 40%

LEVEL 5

DANCE PROGRESSIONS

The module aims to build upon the technical foundations established at level 4 and will continue to include classes in Jazz, ballet and another diverse dance style (or singing for musical theatre learners). In addition, the module will include classes focusing on dance science in practice where learners will build on the fundamental anatomy knowledge gained at level 4. The focus will be on progressing learners' dance technique through clarity, attention to detail and knowing how to adapt technique to suit their individual bodies. 

PR1 Practical dance skills assessment: performance of set exercises in ballet and jazz dance 60% PR2 Practical Dance Assessment: Ongoing assessment of attendance and engagement in dance classes, 40% 

ENSEMBLE SINGING

This module incorporates learning undertaken from previous Level 4 modules – Acting techniques & Singing and applied voice. Ensemble singing will allow students to develop their ability to sing complex harmony lines and blend in as an ensemble member, ensemble classes will contribute to the Broadway Musical. Learners will explore a variety of techniques and approaches to build upon the understanding of the anatomy and physiology in relation to voice. The module will specifically look at the demands of acting through song in preparation for ensemble singing in relation to developing expression and characterisation using the singing voice

PR1 Performance: Two contrasting ensemble musical theatre songs for a performance, 60% CW1 Reflective essay: demonstrating a critical understanding of personal limitations and identifying physical solutions to improve personal vocal and acting skills, 40%

THE BROADWAY MUSICAL

This module aims to investigate a key work from the canon of Broadway Theatre, with a focus on aesthetic, style and genre. The project involves an audition process for which learners will prepare a solo song (linked to ensemble song module) and text suited to an audition for this repertoire. Following casting, the process will then move to the rehearsal of a full staged production. Learners will perform to a public audience.

PR1 Performance: Full Scale Broadway Musical, 70% CW1 Essay: Critical evaluation of practitioners’ approaches and developed independent methodology, 30%

THE POLITICAL MUSICAL

This module aims to explore the craft of acting within Musical Theatre from a political perspective. The module investigates analytical approaches to classic and contemporary works from the political cannon.  The module aims to understand the relationship of musical theatre works and political contexts. The module will investigate significant works, playwrights, composers, and practitioners and explore how politics shapes and influences theatre performances. 

PR1 Performance - The Political Musical Performance, 70% CW1 Essay: Critical and contextual analysis to evaluate the success of process, performance, and the production, 30%

EMPLOYMENT SKILLS FOR LIVE THEATRE

This module aims to explore the craft of acting within Musical Theatre from a political perspective. The module investigates analytical approaches to classic and contemporary works from the political cannon. The module aims to understand the relationship of musical theatre works and political contexts. The module will investigate significant works, playwrights, composers, and practitioners and explore how politics shapes and influences theatre performances.  

PR1 Performance - The Political Musical Performance, 70% CW1 Essay: Critical and contextual analysis to evaluate the success of process, performance, and the production, 30%

LEVEL 6

ADVANCED DANCE PERFORMANCE

This module builds on similar modules at levels 4 and 5 developing the understanding of dance techniques and performance skills. This module also aims to build on academic, creative, employability and professional skills through the process of planning an industry relevant Showcase.

Learners will work collaboratively utilising the strengths of the group to ensure smooth organisation, marketing and planning of the Showcase performance. Learners will be rEsponsible for engaging with relevant stakeholders by booking external professionals to prepare performance material, building online connections through developing self-marketing materials, attending masterclasses, and/or inviting agents to the Showcase performance. This module will develop in-depth knowledge of the processes for future employment within the industry. 

PR1 Practical skills assessment (process): demonstrating professional etiquette through attendance and punctuality in technical dance classes, seminars and workshops, 70% PR2 Group presentation: Focused on the planning and preparation processes, 30% 

PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE

This module builds on Advanced Dance Performance, developing the planning and preparation into practice. This module also continues to build upon the understanding of dance techniques and performance skills.  The aim of this module will focus on the performance aspect in preparing learners for their final Showcase where they present their talents in relevance to their area of study. This will be performed to an invited audience, including agents and industry professionals. Learners are expected to have contacted and pursued agents to attend this showcase (with support from tutors). 

PR1 Practical skills assessment: Individual Audition – 2 performance pieces in the relevant discipline providing a verbal rationale for the selections, 30% PR 2 Practical skills assessment: Showcase performance displaying relevant technical and performance skills, 70%

ADVANCED MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE

This module is the final step in our production strand and builds on Level 5 practice by performance demands to produce work of a high level of artistry, autonomy, and integration of skills, to prepare learners for professional environments.

The module will build further on skills, so that learners exhibit multi-disciplinary skills to demonstrate advanced control and versatility in vocal, acting, and dance techniques, adapting to various styles and genres.

CW1 Process Blog 10%, PR1 Performance 60% & CW2 Evaluative report 30%