Flagstaff Arts And Leadership Academy

Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy Musical Theatre 2010-11 Syllabus

Instructor: M. Levin B Days, Block 4 Room 7 All assignments are posted at: http://www.fala.yolasite.com E-mail: [email protected]

Course Description The musical theatre is one of America's few original art forms. And is, by definition a multi-disciplinary art form, for it involves literature, music, dance, and spectacle. This course focuses on the development of the musical theatre of the 20th century, by studying musicals in their historical context from the 20's to the 90's. In this course we will study the literary aspects of musicals: the construction of the libretto, the poetry of the lyrics. We will also study the basic formal aspects of the music and the choreography. We will consider the philosophical underpinnings of the aesthetics of the musical theatre and how theological aspects may be incorporated into serious musical theatre. And because we place the musicals into their social and political contexts, we will also study the process of historical change. We will not only study the musical, but experience, first hand, the world of the singer, actor, and dancer.

This course, as do all core courses, seeks to help you develop the intellectual skills of a liberal arts education. These skills are:

Reasoning. (The ability to think logically and reflectively, to analyze critically and constructively.) You will be asked to develop your reasoning skills throughout the course — in your readings, your writing assignments, and classroom discussions. Not only will you be doing intellectual reasoning but also kinetic (movement) and musical reasoning.

Communication. (a. The ability to express one's thoughts and feelings coherently and persuasively through written and oral communication; b. the ability to work effectively in collaboration with others and to demonstrate leadership abilities.) There are a number of writing tasks included in this course which will give you an opportunity to enhance your informal and formal writing skills. You will also develop your powers of oral communication informally by open discussion and group work in class.

Historical Consciousness. (The ability to understand the achievements, problems and challenges of the modern world from the perspective of those of the past.) You will study the process of historical change in twentieth century America from the 1920's to the 1990's, tracing the evolution of the modern American musical in its historical and cultural context. Aesthetic Judgment. (The ability to understand and appreciate creative responses to the world, and to develop one's own modes of creative expression.) This is a central focus of the course. You will not only learn how to appreciate the musical from literary, philosophical and historical viewpoints, but you will also be able to participate in some way in doing drama and exercising aesthetic awareness.

Global and Multicultural Awareness. (The ability to understand and appreciate the variety of social and cultural perspectives.) The origin of the American musical is to be found in the melding of European operetta traditions with African American music. Thus, one main focus in this class will be the multi-cultural musical traditions of the United States.

Valuing and Decision-Making. (a. The ability to understand and appreciate the variety of perspectives provided by differing moral viewpoints; b. the ability to make carefully considered, well-reasoned decisions, c. the ability to make a mature assessment of one's own abilities, beliefs and values.) Many of the musicals we are studying will force you to confront your own values and beliefs, for theatre, at its best, questions contemporary viewpoints.

Course Overview: The following are examples of the kinds of topics and issues to be covered by the course: The business of musical theater Composers for musical theater The history of musical theater The lyrics of musical theater and their writers Musical comedy Musical Theater as art Musical Theater and the expression of the emotions Musical theater in film Sets for musical theater The social importance of musical theater Vocal performance Acting and Musical Theatre

Course Objectives  Identify methods of analyzing a song for dramatic performance  Apply methods of analysis to effectively interpret and communicate the ideas and emotions of musical theatre songs.  Identify characteristics of and practice healthy vocal performance habits  Assess their physical and vocal character types and identify appropriate musical selections  Provide constructive feedback to peers in writing and during in-class discussions  Gain an understanding of the musical theatre audition process and create an audition portfolio  Expand their knowledge of musical theatre literature  Examine musical theatre and the related topics and issues listed above from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including those of architectural history, film and video, history, literature, politics, sociology and theater. The student is challenged to pull together all of these diverse topics and disciplinary points of view in order to construct his or her own view of skyscrapers.  Identify and describe the important persons, events, historical developments, social developments and ideas related to musical theater.  Place the important persons, authors, composers, events and ideas related to musical theatre in their approximately correct relationships in historical time.  Effectively access and utilize a variety of information resources, including the live performances, readings, newspapers, the Internet, films and other library resources to gain information about musical theatre and related topics.  Discuss and write about the economic, historical, literary, musical, political, social, and technical dimensions of musical theatre and related topics with reference to historical facts and authoritative sources.  Attempt to answer the question, “What makes Musical Theatre a Great Work?” through a learning community in which students and teachers learn together, sharing common readings, lectures, films, discussions, and other learning experiences.  Since musical theatre is a current and developing topic of immediate relevance to everyone and subject to a wide variety of conflicting aesthetic, economic, political, and social interpretations, we will strive to examine all issues objectively, openly and without bias. Opposing points of view will be heard, and everyone will be encouraged to ground their opinions in concrete evidence.

Course Evaluation and Assessments

Class participation Attendance In Class Assignments Performances Rehearsals Written Assignments Performances

A rubric for performance-based activities will be provided when the assignment is given as well as after the assignments are evaluated. Performances will be based on several criteria including memorization, characterization, and use of body/voice. Formal papers and exams will also be assigned.

All course work will be graded using a point system. Please note: all assignments may be redone for a higher grade. Final grades will be calculated by determining the percentage of points earned out of total possible points. The grade scale is as follows: "A" = 100- 90%; "B" 89-80%; "C" 79-70%; "D" 69-60%; and "F" below 60%. Course Materials/Texts

Show by Show by Stanley Green Acting the Song by Tracey Moore

A plethora of videos and cd’s will be used throughout the course. Should you miss a class in which these materials were used, it is your responsibility to view/listen to the material on your own time.

Course Requirements/Policies: In general, students are referred to the Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy Student and Parent Handbook regarding specific policies on plagiarism, absenteeism, tardiness, and other matters of conduct.

Class Activities: Most classes will consist of exercises meant to better the talents of the actor, as well as align and unify the class as a working whole to ultimately make the most effective cast possible.

Because class participation is deemed to be as important as other assignments, you will be expected to involve yourself meaningfully in class discussions in order to show familiarity with works and ideas covered in the course.

Class Decorum

-Absolutely no food during class. -Please pick up after yourself. -No sunglasses. -No gossip or foul language. -Please use the bathroom only when absolutely necessary. -Please dress appropriately for this class.

Tardiness: It is necessary to be on time as an actor. Lateness will not be permitted.

Class Assignments:

As we go through videos, you will give your reactions, analyses and insights about what you have seen. We will also analyze the construction of a libretto. The writing assignments are designed to provide learning experiences. The process is more important than the end product. Your writing should demonstrate thoughtful attention to the performances, careful reading of any assignments, effective research in other sources, a good understanding of material presented in the lectures, clear thinking, and correct interrelating of the various components of the course.

Please submit assignments by the deadline. If you must be late with an assignment, communicate with me about the reasons for your delay. Once a unit is completed, late work for that unit will only be accepted for one week following the final evaluation for the unit.

Semester Projects: During the first semester, you will perform a solo piece and be part of a team that stages a 10 -15 minutes of a musical approved by me. Each member of the team will do particular research for the musical selected including the historical context, the libretto and lyrics, the music, the choreography, the staging, the composer, lyricist and librettist. At the end of this assignment (at the end of the first semester), teams will perform portions of their musical and be responsible for the class discussion before and following the performance. In effect, the teams will be teachers of their musical to all of us. Each individual student will turn in a paper about this project, due at the time scheduled for the final examination, together with an annotated bibliography. The paper will include your specific research on your chosen musical as well as an analysis of how the group worked, a self-evaluation of the entire project and your role in the project. Further materials about the term project will be available later in the semester.

What is Expected of the Performer Taking Musical Theatre? (How to Succeed in This Class): I want each and every one of you to grow as writers, thinkers and appreciators of Musical Theatre. We will provide an organized class, extensive feedback, and specific directions and models for fulfilling assignments. I am here to inspire you and to help you. Three things are keys to your success:

(1) Attendance. Only if you are in class will you be able to practice fully the tasks that maximize your learning. In addition, since so much of the course is collaborative, depending on the exchange of diverse insights and comparison of differing points of view, your participation is necessary for your classmates' learning as well as your own. Because your participation is so important, you are expected to attend every class.

A consideration of casting is, has been, and always will be based on attendance. When rehearsals for a production begin, you will be required to attend every rehearsal, whether you attend the rest of the school day or not.

Attend class daily. We will be doing a lot of exercises, group work, and practicing which require your presence. If for some reason you must miss class, you are responsible for obtaining any notes, handouts, and assignments you may have missed. I will always have extras but you must request them from me. If you miss an evaluation date, you must arrange for a make-up. When rehearsals for a production begin, you will be required to attend every rehearsal whether or not you attend the rest of the school day.

Under FALA policy, if you are absent for ten classes during the course of a semester, you lose credit for the class. If you are absent five classes, there is the loss of one letter grade.

(2) Daily Preparation. Without daily preparation, you will be unable to participate and enjoy this course. As an aid to your daily preparation, there are a number of assignments you are expected to complete on time; we will collect and return these promptly to help you maintain your active participation in the case. You are expected to maintain standards of hard work, cooperation and reliability similar to those expected in industry. Understand theatre is a responsibility. Discipline is the heart of the theatre and theatre discipline is self-discipline.

(3) Pacing. You must keep up with the accelerated pace of the class. In order to pass this course, all assignments must be turned in when due. A single absence or a failure to do one day's assignment means that you have missed a significant part of the class. Time management skills are really important, not only for these daily assignments but also for the large projects and due dates. Juggling your other classes when you have papers to do takes planning and forethought. In addition you should note we will view videos on five Sundays during the semester. Everyone is expected to be in attendance for this communal experience.

Okay, So What Will Musical Theatre Do for Me? You’ll come to know more about yourself (strengths, weaknesses, talents, effect on those around you.) Continue the study of human nature (their motivations, actions, body language, etc.) Become a more expressive, communicative person onstage and off Share your talent, insights, excitement with others Lots and lots and lots of fun

Syllabus for Fall 2010

Unit Time Frame Topic

1 September Training Exercises: Acting Singing/Voice, Dancing/Movement

2 October 15-20 minute musical selection

3 November Revue rehearsals

4 December Revue

Syllabus for Spring 2011

5 Jan-May Musical Selection Musical Costumes Props Sets (from idea to creation) Make-Up design “Putting show together” Acting Singing Choreography