Academic Catalog

MUS 47C: ADVANCED MUSIC THEATRE PRODUCTION WORKSHOP

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2022
Units: 6
Hours: 18 laboratory per week (216 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: MUS 47B or THTR 47B.
Advisory: Enrollment subject to audition and instructor assignment; this course is included in the Theatre Voice family of activity courses; not open to students with credit in THTR 47C.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Cross-Listed: THTR 47C

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Upon completion of this course, students will have skills necessary to perform as in a principle role in a wide variety of musical theatre styles. This includes the many steps necessary for performing a fully-realized, la musical theatrical performance—auditioning, rehearsal process, technical rehearsal, fusion of design concepts, performance standards, auditioning and casting, publicity.
  • Through critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork practices students challenge, synthesize and develop skills pertaining to the designated assignment (performer, choreographer, designer, stage manager, technician, musical director, musician) in the performance of a principal role.

Description

Assists the student to develop technical skills required at the advanced level of musical theatre performance through the rehearsal and performance of a fully staged musical theatre production.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Learn principal roles and appropriate singing technique for this repertoire.
  2. Develop and execute blocking and choreography appropriate to leading characters.
  3. Create and execute characterization for lead roles in a musical.
  4. Develop and execute rehearsal and performance practices at a professional level.

Course Content

  1. Learn principal roles and appropriate singing technique for this repertoire:
    1. Maintain healthy vocal practice through rehearsals and performances
    2. Ability to sing more complex solos, duets and large ensembles
    3. Preparation and memorization of solo music from the musical score, including musical values (legato, crescendo, dynamics, etc.)
    4. Understand appropriate musical style, historical and period elements influencing the setting of the musical
    5. Target steps for moving to professional or pre-professional performance experience
  2. Develop and execute blocking and choreography appropriate to assigned characters:
    1. Ability to execute complex and extensive blocking directions for scenes as assigned character
    2. Ability to apply complex blocking within the framework of performance of the musical
    3. Ability to learn solo, as well as ensemble dance as an expression of character
    4. Ability to apply learned choreography within the framework of performance as assigned character consistently throughout performance run
  3. Create and execute characterization for a lead role in a musical:
    1. Develop lead character as assigned as well as separate characters as needed within the ensemble
    2. Apply music and choreography to that character as an expression of character
    3. Text analysis and communication for character as assigned, communicating the arc of the character within the musical script
    4. Develop effective and complex relationships with other characters within the musical play
    5. Expand performance discipline to include consistent performance of a lead role through rehearsal and performance
  4. Develop and execute rehearsal and performance practices at a professional level:
    1. Ability to effectively work through notes from rehearsals prior to the following rehearsal, including effective and timely communication with the director, music director and all designers
    2. Ability to execute character make-up, hair and costume as directed for all performances
    3. Successful completion of appropriate audition including preparation of call-back materials: songs and scenes from the musical play
    4. Ability to understand how the design elements of the show will impact the character development. Including understanding of set models, costume renderings and essential props
    5. Execute the relationships and professional behavior of working with the stage manager and crew, in addition to director, music director, choreographer and design team
    6. Execute to the demands of achieving and maintaining a consistent level of work from rehearsal through performance of assigned lead roles

Lab Content

  1. Rehearsal
  2. Preparation and performance of a full-scale musical production

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

Rehearsal clothes, basic stage make-up supplies, theatre, shop area, dressing rooms, box office; costume, property and scenery inventory. Auxiliary rehearsal hall approximately 30' x 60' with piano and accompanist.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Instructor/director observation
Continual during-production feedback
Public performance
Self-evaluation

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Discussion (script/score/character analysis)
Vocal rehearsals and training
Acting and dance rehearsals and training
Instructor guided observation (rehearsal) and analysis through public performance

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Performance script varies with each production. Content is from the standard American Musical Theatre canon.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Read scripts for production preparation
  2. Read and assess background materials for production preparation and relevance

Discipline(s)

Music or Theatre Arts