Musical Theater Performance

Welcome to the classroom of Robert Medley

Musical Theatre Performance

A.Course Description:

Explore the historical background of this American theatrical form and its continuing development to the present day, identifying specific productions which set new standards.

B.Related Program Learning Outcomes:

1.Demonstrate, through written analysis,the capability of evaluation of the medium of theatre in performance.

2.Demonstrate, through written analysis and synthesis, the ability to critically evaluate a play text.

3.Demonstrate, through a performance, the skills learned in performance classes.

C.Course Objectives:

1.Demonstrate historical background of American theatrical form and its continuing development up to the present day.

2.Identify common elements of the form as well as unique elements of specific shows.

3.Demonstrate the structure of mounting musical theatre productions in various environments, i.e. community, academic, professional.

4.Demonstrate presentational techniques of acting applicable to a musical theatre style.

5.Prepare a musical theatre audition.

D.Course Outline:

1.Two book scenes - rehearsed and performed in class one per semester

2.Two musical audition - rehearsed and performed in class one per semester

3.Four written reports on musicals seen or read during the year

4.One mid-term per semester exam covering history and elements of musical theatre (from lecture and notes}

5.Laptop Learning Portfolio

6.Required participation in the Main stage musical production

Method of evaluation

The student will have three grades for this course. One is a weekly grade and the other two final project grades for their performance and production projects.

WEEKLY GRADES

The student will receive a weekly grade based on

{1) attendance

(2) completion of writing, reading, and critical assignments

(3) participation in discussion

(4) readings preparation as applicable.

Attendance is a firm part of grading because we operate as a workshop and our time together as an ensemble is necessary in order for each student to reap the full benefits of the course.

The weekly grade will be determined on a scale:

5 pts= Excellent

4 pts = Good

3 pts = satisfactory

2 pts = less than satisfactory

1 pt = Barely Passing

0 pts = Failing

AUDITION PROJECT GRADE

This class is run as a workshop. Each student is required to develop two audition pieces consisting of a song and scene 3 to 10 minutes of stage time. The project grade is evaluated on a percentage scale with the grade breaking down as follows:

25% - Quality of song

25% - Quality of dialogue development

25% - Quality of character development

25% - Quality of overall creative achievement and professionalism of project, including consideration of quality of preparation

PRODUCTION PROJECT GRADE

Each student will participate in the Main Stage Musical Little Shop of Horrors . The final project grade is evaluated on a percentage scale with the grade breaking down as follows:

25% - Contribution to production.

25% - Character development, creative choices, blocking, song

25% - Growth and development as performer.

25% - Quality of overall creative achievement and professionalism of project, including consideration of quality and breadth of the final production.

OVERALL GRADE

Point Breakdown: Grading System:

Audition Project 110 pts. ea

Weekly Evaluation 160 pts

Learning Portfolio 100 pts

Production Project 220 pts.

Musical critiques 20 pts. ea

Power Point pres. 20 pts. (10 per semester)

735-712 pts. Excellent

711-689 pts. Nearly excellent

688-673 pts. Very Good

672-658 pts. Good

657-642 pts. Fairly Good

641-626 pts. Better than Satisfactory

625-612 pts. Satisfactory

611-596 pts. Less than Satisfactory

595-565 pts. Barely Passing

564-0 pts. Failing

Total 735 pts.