Musical Theatre Techniques Syllabus

SAC DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS                              Professor: Amberly Chamberlain

TH 178 – Musical Theatre Techniques, Fall 2018                                            Office: P106-1

T/TH, 3:20 – 5:15pm                                                  email: chamberlain_amberly@sac.edu

Phillips Hall, P105     Office Hours: T/TH 10:00 - 10:15am, 1:50pm - 3:20pm, 5:15 - 6:00pm

COURSE SYLLABUS                                                                    

This syllabus is a contract. By accepting this syllabus you are agreeing to the terms for grading, attendance, participation, and workload as set out herein.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores the development of the beginning fundamentals of acting, singing and movement for musical theatre through exercises, auditions, solo and group performances.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Select music appropriate for auditions and performances.

• Recognize the character development and the relationships between characters in the musical theatre selections.
• Identify, label and begin to compile a musical theatre portfolio of audition selections.
• Describe the "events" in each musical theatre scene.
• Recognize and express standards for evaluating the success of a musical theatre performance.

COURSE CONTENT

Self-assessment: career planning, personal development.

• Exploration of the musical theatre world: Broadway, regional theatre, civic light operas, community theatres, educational theatres.
• Audition preparation: treating the audition as a monologue.
• Selection of materials: comedy songs, ballads, charm songs.
• Evaluation of the material selected: assessments and prescriptive and descriptive evaluations.
• Resume and headshot preparation: standard information, production information, layout, formatting, and cover letters.
• Wardrobe: appropriate audition clothing, dressing for the character, appropriate dance audition clothing, appropriate makeup and hair.
• Posture and body alignment while singing with an accompanist.
• Proper breath management while singing with an accompanist.
• Communication with an accompanist.
• Sight singing/reading.
• Vocal styles: pop music and musical theatre literature.
• Audition techniques: how to mark the score and the song.

Student Learning Outcomes Tools/Assessments

• Actor’s Portfolio
  • 8 X 10 Headshot
  • Resume
  • Audition Binder
• Recital performance w/relating Character Analysis
• Jury/Showcase Performance
  • Professionalism
  • Song selection & cutting
  • Character development
  • Musicality
• Exit Interview
  • Feedback on strengths and weaknesses
  • Overall of growth
  • Future goals

REQUIREMENTS (Numbered items must be brought to EACH and EVERY class meeting.)

A recording device for recording your music. Cell phones will work for this. Ask permission before using and make sure they are charged.

1. An “Audition Binder” to hold your photo, resume, and sheet music for all songs covered in class, both group and solos. All music should be kept in clear, matte finish plastic sleeves. Nothing but extra resumes should be included in this binder.
2. A ”Class Notebook/Folder” to keep handouts and paperwork in. Use dividers; keep it clean and organized. Please note: This is a separate folder from your “Audition Binder” and will be turned in for a grade at the end of the semester. It should be divided and organized in the following order:
3. Syllabus, calendar & important dates
4. Handouts (songs lists & helpful handouts)
5. Quizzes & feedback
6. Written work & extra credit
7. Musical presentations
8. An “Actor’s Journal” for recording directions, ideas, feedback, & notes. This “Actor’s Tool” is strongly recommended, but not required, and will not be turned in for a grade.
9. A pencil AND highlighter for marking music, and a pen for tests and taking notes.
10. Proper shoes & clothing, whether it be a rehearsal day or performance day, is required. Dance oriented shoes will be needed on movement days. No open toed shoes or flip-flops will be allowed on movement days. You will be asked to sit out.

PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE. For extra credit, you can attend an audition for a musical outside of school and/or attend either or both of the fall semester SAC Theatre Department productions. If you cannot afford to attend the productions here at the school, ushering is available. Please email Karina Rebolledo at Rebolledo_Karina@sac.edu to sign up. The productions this semester will be:

Rabbit Hole – November 10^that 2:00pm/7:30pm & 11^th at 2:00pm/6:30pm

Los Faustinos – December 6^th – 8^8h at 7:30pm & 9^th at 2:00pm/6:30pm

PARTICIPATION. This class is highly based on participation & ultimately, the only way to progress. Grading will be affected by your attendance, preparation, and participation in all exercises and performances. Since this is an experience-oriented class, absences cannot be made up, nor any exercises or performances missed due to an unexcused absence. It is imperative that you are in class.

CONDUCT. All cell phones must be turned off or put in silent mode while class is in session. Do not check messages, send text messages or play games during class. Students found using these devices will be asked to leave and receive an absence for the class meeting. Finally, respect the space we work in. No food or open beverages besides water and please clean up after yourselves!

Lastly, it is the student’s responsibility to keep their email information updated in order to receive important updates from both the instructor and school. This also involves alerts for emergencies.

ATTENDANCE

Every student is allowed two (2) unexcused absences. Four (4) unexcused tardies equate to one unexcused absence. Please note, leaving early is considered the same as arriving late. Excused absences are determined by the following reasons only:                

1. Illness or injury to the student.
2. Death, injury, or serious illness of an immediate family member or the like.
3. *Religious reasons (California Education Code section 89320)
4. *Jury duty or government obligation
5. *University sanctioned or approved activities

Asterisked excuses must have a minimum of one week advanced notification. Documentation for any of the above listed exceptions is required upon your return to class. Upon your third unexcused absence, you are considered dropped from the course. If absences/tardies occurs after the drop deadline, the student’s grade will lower 5% for every excessive absence and 2.5% for every excessive tardy. If a third absence occurs before the drop deadline, it will be up to the instructor’s discretion to allow the student to remain in the class, only after an evaluation of the student’s work ethic has been made & the student agrees to be placed on probation. If a student decides to withdraw from the class or it is suggested that they do so, it is their responsibility to do the paperwork involved in doing so. The instructor will not do it for them. The student will receive an “F” for the semester if they fail to remove themselves from the class roster before the withdraw deadline. These grades cannot be changed at a later date, for any reason!!!

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Musical numbers varying in group sizes. Performance dates to be determined.
2. A written analysis for pieces performed in class. These are due on the day that you perform in typed format. (A rough draft containing only numbers 3-5 on “Analysis Form” is due on your coaching day or you will not be coached.)
3. A headshot and resume.
4. A one (1) to two (2) page typed research paper on a musical of your choice, presented to the class in a five (5) minute presentation. Details & due dates to follow.
5. Weekly musical reports due every Monday.

All assignments must be typed unless otherwise stated. Use of incorrect grammar and/or spelling constitutes a lower grade. PROOFREAD AND DO NOT WRITE LIKE YOU TEXT! All assignments must be turned in by its due date and time, whether you are in class that day or not. Absolutely no late work will be accepted, even for a partial grade. If absent on a performance date, whether excused or not, no make ups will be allowed. If the absence is excused, the missed points will not be counted against the student & the points will be adjusted accordingly. In regards to quizzes & exam, no make-ups will given, unless absence is excused & must be taken on the day the student returns to class or in advance if the student knows ahead of time. (It is not the instructor’s responsibility to remind a student of a missed exam; it is the student’s responsibility to ask upon return.) One last caution, if you arrive tardy to class after or during answers being given to a quiz or exam, the student will not be allowed to take that quiz or exam. So, be on time!

GRADING (Est. points available for the class.)

Class Participation (31 @ 5 pts)         155 pts

Character Analysis (3 @ 20 pts)           60 pts

Performance/Audition (4 @ 30 pts)     120 pts

Audition Binder                                      10 pts

Notebook/Folder                                    10 pts

Headshot & Resume                             20 pts

Research Project                                  40 pts

Review Quizzes (2 @ 20 pts)               40 pts

Final Audition/Jury                                50 pts

Final Showcase                                    50 pts

Final Exam                                           40 pts

                                               Total:  595 pts

Grading scale:

595 - 533 pts = A

532 - 474 pts = B

473 - 414 pts = C

413 - 355 pts = D

354 - lower     = F

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

All students are expected to adhere to the college’s Academic Honesty Policy. Cheating and plagiarism (copying or passing off someone else’s work as one’s own) are serious offenses. Cheating and plagiarism will result in an “F” for the assignment/quiz, referral to the Dean & can be cause for expulsion.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS

SAC is committed to providing educational accommodations for students with disabilities, upon the timely request made by the student to the instructor.  If you require any special accommodations or if you need additional time to complete tests/projects on a regular basis, you must notify the instructor upon receiving and reviewing the course syllabus.  Otherwise, you will be expected to adhere to the information included in this course syllabus without alteration. Verification of the disability must also be provided.  Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSP&S) functions as a resource for students and faculty in the determination and provision of the accommodations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Free Bus Pass

Students can use their SAC student ID cards to ride any OCTA fixed route bus service for free during the 2018-19 academic year. You must get your student ID card encoded in the Cashier’s Office, VL205, in order to ride. Limitations do exist.

Book Loan Program & Scholarships

The Associated Student Government of SAC provides $100 book vouchers for students in need. More information can be found at https://sac.edu/StudentServices/StudentLife/Pages/ASGBookLoan.aspx. Scholarships can also be applied for through the SAC Foundation. More information can be found at https://www.sac.edu/foundation/Scholarships/Pages/default.aspx.

Please note: If deemed necessary, the class instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus at anytime, in order to accommodate the size and abilities of the class. Students will be given ample notice and any changes will be made in writing and handed out in a revised syllabus.