Academic Catalog

THTR 47A: INTRODUCTION TO MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION

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)
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 MUS 47A or THTR 47.
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: MUS 47A

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Upon completion of this course students will understand and apply the fundamentals of musical theatre ensemble performance.
  • Upon completion of this course students will understand vocal techniques, acting skills, and movement, (blocking and choreography), required to audition for, rehearse and perform musical scores, librettos and dance choreography in an ensemble role.

Description

This course will introduce the fundamentals of musical theatre performance through the rehearsal and performance of a fully staged musical theatre production. Students are required to attend rehearsals and performances.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate singing technique for this repertoire.
  2. Perform basic blocking and choreography.
  3. Create basic characterization.
  4. Perform basic costume and make-up techniques.
  5. Demonstrate basic performance discipline.

Course Content

  1. Learn ensemble music and appropriate singing technique for this repertoire:
    1. Vocal warm up and development exercises to build voice and stamina
    2. Introduction to singing in simple harmony
    3. Preparation and memorization of ensemble 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 intermediate musical theatre performance
  2. Introduction to basic blocking and choreography:
    1. Understand blocking directions and notation for movement on stage
    2. Ability to apply all blocking within the framework of performance of the musical
    3. Ability to learn simple ensemble dance
    4. Ability to apply learned choreography within the framework of performance
  3. Introduction to characterization in a musical:
    1. Identify and develop individual character within ensemble
    2. Apply music and choreography to that character
    3. Text analysis and communication for character
    4. Within the function of the ensemble, develop separate characters as needed
    5. Learn to relate to other characters onstage, developing relationships within the musical
  4. Introduction to costume and make-up and performance discipline:
    1. Learn basic responsibilities of the actor with costumes, including fittings and daily use and maintenance
    2. Learn appropriate basic make-up techniques appropriate to the production
    3. Successful completion of appropriate audition including repertoire, resume, and protocol
    4. Exposure to the integration of all design elements in technical rehearsals prior to opening: set, lights, sound, props, costume, make-up
    5. Develop the relationship and professional behavior of working with the stage manager and crew, in addition to director, music director, choreographer and design team
    6. Exposure to the demands of achieving and maintaining a consistent level of work from rehearsal through performance

Lab Content

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

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

Rehearsal clothes, theatre and/or auxiliary rehearsal hall approximately 30' x 60' with piano and accompanist, dressing rooms, basic stage make-up supplies, costume, property and scenery inventory.

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Instructor/director observation evaluation through rehearsal and performance of ensemble music and movement
Demonstration of theory and techniques acquired in all vocal, acting and movement assigned
All rehearsals and performances are evaluated

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Discussions: Script and score analysis
Vocal rehearsals and training
Acting rehearsals and training
Dance rehearsals
Instructor guided observation (rehearsal) and analysis through public performance

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Performance script varies with each production chosen from standard American Musical Theatre repertoire.

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 Theater Arts