MUSTHEAT 2006 - Music Theatre Production 2B
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MUSTHEAT 2006 Course Music Theatre Production 2B Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 11 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Prerequisites MUSTHEAT 2005 Restrictions Available to BMusTheatre students only Assessment Song Repertoire ensemble & solo final presentation (40%), Musical rehearsal process & journal (30%), Musical performance process (10%), Character analysis & essay (10%), Ensemble Singing: continuous observations in the classroom (10%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Erin James
Course Coordinator
George Torbay
E-mail: george.torbay@adelaide.edu.au
Phone: 0421 245 665
Location: Schulz Building (Level 11, Room 11.16)
Availability: M-F, 0900-1700
Course Tutors
Craig Behenna E-mail:
0402 321 076
Phone:Availability: M, W, Class times only
Carla Centofanti
E-mail: carla.cento@live.com.au
Phone: 0403 196 942
Availability: M, 0900-1300
Martin Cheney
E-mail: martin.cheney@gmail.com
Phone: 0422 609 357
Availability: M-F, 0900-1700
Dr. Terry Crawford
E-mail:Phone: 0434 331 061
Availability: Tues 0900 - 1330, Thurs 1330 - 1700, Fri 0900 - 1300
Deanna Farnell E-mail:
Phone: 0424 044 043
Availability: W 0900 - 1430, F 0900 - 1700
Rosie Hosking E-mail:
Phone: 0419 822 890
Availability: T, 1600 - 1800
Erin James E-mail:
Phone: 0415 352 304
Availability: F, 1400-1700
Peter Johns
Alexander Kermond E-mail:
Phone: 0417 764 970
Availability: W 9am - 11:30am
Zoë Komazec E-mail:
Phone: 0431 418 421
Availability: Wednesdays 9am - 11:30am
Dale March E-mail:
Phone: 0413 221 546
Availability: Wednesdays 1pm - 6pm, Thursdays 9am - 1pm
Martine Quigley
E-mail: m@stylestation.com.au
Phone: 0437 143 153
Availability: M & W, 0900-1300
Joseph Simons
E-mail: j.simons@adelaide.edu.au
Phone: 0432 498 020
Availability: M-F, 0900-1700
Paul Sinkinson
E-mail:Phone: 0413 011 964
Availability: Tues 0900 - 1330, Thurs 1330 - 1700, Fri 0900 - 1300
Anna Steen
E-mail: anna.s.steen@gmail.com
Phone: 0418 863 587
Availability: Tuesdays 0900 - 1330, Thursdays 1330 - 1700
Roel Vorrbij E-mail:
0450 225 231
Phone:Availability: W, F, 1300-1730
Dr. James Whiting E-mail:
Phone: 0417 764 970
Availability: W, F, 1300-1730
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehension of protocol, chain-of-command and etiquette in both professional rehearsal and technical rehearsal contexts;
- Demonstrate a range of performance techniques from acting, singing and/or dancing in performance;
- Learn and retain dialogue, harmonies, staging and choreography between rehearsal periods;
- Confidently understudy/share a role in a production;
- Utilise an imaginative and expressive response in the creation of a role for performance;
- Define the commitment and discipline required of the professional actor and apply teamwork as part of a collaborative creative ensemble;
- Develop a repertoire of prepared songs of material from 2000-2024 for audition purposes to a professional standard;
- Demonstrate a synthesis of voice, body and mind in a complete musical performance with an authentic sense of individual expression and creativity;
- Demonstrate a developing connection to text and the nuances of language and meaning;
- Create sophisticated and layered characterisations that deliver dramatic complexity with ease and simplicity.
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
1,4,6 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1,2,3,4,5 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
1,2,4,5,6 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
1. Paul Harvard, Acting Through Song: Techniques and Exercises for Musical Theatre Actors (Nick Hern Books, 2014)
2. Joe Deer and Rocco Dal Vera, Acting in Musical Theatre: A Comprehensive Course 2nd Edition (Routledge, 2015)
3. Cicely Berry, The Actor and the Text (Elbury Publishing, 2007)Recommended Resources
- Deer, Joe and Dal Vera, Rocco. Acting in Musical Theatre, 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge, 2016.
- Berry, Cicely. The Actor and the Text, Revised edition. Minnesota: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, 2000.
- Rodenburg, Patsy. The Actor Speaks. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2002.
- Taylor, Millie and Symonds, Dominic. Studying Musical Theatre, Theory and Practice. London: Palgrave, 2014.
- Kenrick, John. Musical Theatre, A History. London: Boomsbury Academic, 2010.
- Green, Stanley. Revised and updated Ginell, Cary. Broadway Musicals, Show-by-Show: Eighth Edition. Minnesota: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, 2014.
Online Learning
All tutorials will be delivered in person, but virtual participation is acceptable for all lecture style sessions.
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
All music theatre students must undertake the Music Theatre Production course. It is both a skills-based practical course focussed on the three areas of acting technique, voice production and dance skills, coupled with the theoretical study in each of these areas. This includes key areas of ENSEMBLE SINGING, SONG REPERTOIRE and participation in a fully staged PRODUCTION. As such, all classes are workshop style where attendance is critical for skills development.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Ensemble Singing: 1 x 1 hour workshop each week
Song Repertoire: 1 x 2 hour workshop each week
Production: 4 x 3 hour workshop each weekIn addition to the listed contact hours per week, It is anticipated that students would spend 6-8 hours per week in preparing for workshops, preparing assignments and undertaking required readings.
Learning Activities Summary
Students are expected to maintain 100% attendance at all classes. See below for penalties. Independent Practice Students must prepare and practise all repertoire, technical exercises and other material assigned by their lecturers and arrive for each session fully prepared Class Activity All classes are practically based skill development. It is essential for growth and development that there is active participation at each session.
Out of Class Activity Acting and Voice will require students to present to the University community a showing of their semester’s work. These showings usually take place in the final week of classes or in Week 13.
Specific Course Requirements
Specific dance wear and rehearsal ‘blacks’ will be quired for all classes. Students will be given this information prior to the first class with clear instructions and guidelines.
All warm up sessions are compulsory.
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting % Production
1. Rehearsal Technique
2. Written Task
3. Production Duty
3. PerformanceFormative and Summative
Week 12
Week 7
Week 13
Week 1270% Song Repertoire
1. Weekly Performances
2. Ensemble Performance
3. Final AssessmentSummative
Week 12
Week 7
Week 1230% Assessment Related Requirements
Participation: Active and positive participation in 100% of workshops is expected.
Students will need to seek approval from the Head of Music Theatre for any absence. This process is clearly explained in the Music Theatre Handbook in MyUni.Assessment Detail
SONG REPERTOIRE #1: Weekly Practical Presentations
Weighting:
50%
Due date:
Friday 27 October, 2023
Task description:
Weekly performances with set criteria. The ability to make changes and adapt to whatever is being asked. Active class participation; imaginative, well-crafted choices and prepared choices; punctuality and professionalism.
Final Presentation
SONG REPERTOIRE #2:Weighting:
50%
Due date:
A final in-house performance will be given on Friday 27 October, 2023 from 11:30am
Task description:
You will select TWO songs of your choice.
SONG #1 will be a song that you HAVE already presented in the unit. You will demonstrate your semesters’ learnings through improving this song from your first presentation. Following this performance you will explain to the examiners in 1-2 minutes, your new choices/changes and reasons for them.
SONG #2 will be a song that you have NOT sung before in class. It may be from any of the semesters’ categories
Each song must not exceed 90 seconds. Total performance time on stage must not exceed 5 minutes.
Weekly Preparation & Rehearsal
PRODUCTION #1:Weighting:
30%
Due date:
Thursday 28 October, 2023
Task description:
Instructions: In weeks 1-12, you will be rehearsing Shrek with Director Erin James and Musical Director Paul Sinkinson. Aim to be ‘off book’ as early as possible, in order to best utilise your attention for new information including staging, direction and choreography.
Criteria: You will be assessed on your interpretation of the text in collaboration with the director’s vision, skills, attitude, contribution to text analysis discussions, initiative, attendance, punctuality and reliability as a team member.
Your ability to retain notes and corrections from rehearsal to rehearsal will contribute to your overall mark, as well as the effectiveness of your physical and vocal warm-up prior to call times.
PRODUCTION #2: Written Task
Weighting:
30%
Due date:
11:59pm Friday 7 September (Week 7) via upload to My Uni
Task description:
Instructions:
Your written component will be comprised of two parts: Part A (i) and (ii) and Part B.
Part A: CHARACTER ANALYSIS and REFLECTION - 1000 words
Choosing one (1) of the characters that you play or understudy in A Chorus Line, consider Uta Hagen’s ‘9 Questions for Character Reflection’ (below) and your knowledge of Formalist Script Analysis to write a character description in third person.
This task will require thorough analysis of the text, (Shrek libretto) and will require references from the source material(s) to supplement your analysis of the character and help build your character description.
You must acknowledge when the text does not provide evidence, prompting you to create an imaginative response.
It is recommended that you begin with a FORMALIST ANALYSS of the text and use Uta Hagen’s 9 questions to assist your character analysis.
Present your work in a way which demonstrates your understanding of both the text as a whole and your character within it.
What does your character represent? You may include images and diagrams - this is not a formal essay.
ii) Reflect on your experience of researching and developing this role. How has this informed your interpretation of the role so far? How have you implemented your character description and creative choices into your work in the rehearsal room?
NOTE: (This reflective writing should be in prose form. The questions posed here are jumping-off points)
Uta Hagen’s 9 Questions
· Who am I?
Including name, age, physical traits, relatives, enemies, education, personal opinions, likes/dislikes, hobbies, fears, ethics, beliefs…
· What time is it?
Including year, season, day, minute…
· Where am I?
Including country, town/city, neighbourhood, building, room, area of room…
· What surrounds me?
Including weather, landscape, people, animate/inanimate objects…
· What are the given circumstances?
What has happened? What is happening? What is going to happen?
· What are my relationships?
To objects, characters, events…
· What do I want?
What does the character want immediately/overall?
· What is in my way?
What are the obstacles to getting what the character wants?
· What do I do to get what I want?
What actions are taken physically/verbally?
Part B: Write an extended response, answering (1) of the following questions:
"We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realise truth…"
—Pablo Picasso
Explore this statement with specific reference to Shrek the Musical, considering form, content and thematic material.OR
“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.”
芒聙聲 Friedrich Nietzsche
Your written task must:
- Be 1000 words for Part A and 1500 words for Part B
- Be referenced - all sources acknowledged correctly using standard APA format
- Be typed in WORD, double spaced using TIMES NEW ROMAN 12pt
- Contain a bibliography
For assistance on essay writing go to: /writingcentre/resources/writing-resources
Production Responsibility and Execution
PRODUCTION #3:Weighting:
25%
Due date:
Monday 20 November 2023
Task description:
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Instructions: In addition to learning your role as a cast member, you will be required to understand and carry out the tasks and responsibilities for a Production team member.
Criteria: Assessable skills include, but are not limited to:
- Compatibility to work in a team (if required) with clear communication, listening skills and respect for others
- Ability to document work, including reports (if required)
- Ability to follow instructions
- Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner
- Ability to work within a budget (if required)
- Delivery of final product for your Production Department
Performance Season
PRODUCTION #4:Weighting:
15%
Due date:
Sunday 19 November, 2023
Task description:
PLEASE SEE RUBRIC
Criteria:
The ability and flexibility to amalgamate the director’s ideas into the student’s own vision and consolidate the entire rehearsal process into a performance is assessed at the presentation. This performance is viewed by staff, fellow students and the wider ECMT community. Students will be assessed on:
- Accuracy
- Consistency
- The ability to remain true to the rehearsal process
- Audience engagement
- Backstage/theatre behaviour
- Professionalism
You will also be assessed on:
- Accumulate and retain all elements from the rehearsal period – ability to remain true to the rehearsal process
- Behaviour backstage, interaction with staff and crew, professionalism during the performance season
Production Weeks
Students must attend all technical and dress rehearsals prior to performance. Any student who misses these rehearsals risks the safety of themselves and the ensemble. For this reason, any student who fails to attend these final rehearsals will be unable to participate in performances without the express written permission of the Head of Music Theatre and is at risk of failure of the 2006 course.
Submission
ALL MUSIC THEATRE ASSESSMENTS INCUR A 10% PER DAY PENALTY FOR LATE SUBMISSIONS. Extensions are only granted prior to the assessment due date.
Late assignment policy: Extensions are only granted when supporting documentation can be provided and then, and only then, by arrangement with the course lecturer prior to the due date and time. Extensions will not be granted under any other circumstance. Assessed work that is submitted late (after the due date and time) will not be examined for assessment or feedback. In the case of illness this will require a medical certificate, and in the case of personal (non-medical) circumstances you will need a letter of support from a University Student Counsellor. For further information please refer to the following website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/counselling_centre/
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
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- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
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- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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