Musical Theatre
Why musical theatre?
The Academy for Performing Arts at Morris County Vocational School offers a new major in Musical Theatre, starting with the Class of 2029. Students with this major will be ready for almost any college major or career path encountered in the 21st Century, having acquired enhanced and developed imaginative capacity, flexible ways of thinking, self-discipline, and sophisticated presentation skills.
The program will prepare students for college and a career in musical theatre by fostering a comprehensive skill set. Students will learn to collaborate effectively and creatively with their peers, cultivating qualities like generosity, critical thinking, discipline, and integrity. They will develop the technical skills crucial for musical theatre practitioners, including acting, voice, production, and dance, while also honing their ability to perform diverse studies with growing artistry. Additionally, the program will equip students with practical career skills by helping them build an audition repertoire, develop audition techniques, and create personalized career plans. This combination of collaborative abilities, technical proficiency, and career preparedness ensures students will be well-rounded and ready to pursue further educational launches in their careers.
Grade 9 Coursework
ACTING I: Acting I comprehensively introduces theatre arts, covering voice and movement techniques, theatre history from ancient to modern periods, improvisation, acting methods, and performance skills. Students learn various methodologies, including Bartenieff Fundamentals, Alexander Technique, and Laban Movement Theory. The course explores acting processes based on Stanislavski, Meisner, and Hagan methods and includes theatre terminology, etiquette, and play analysis. It culminates in winter and spring showcases, allowing students to apply their skills in practical settings.
VOCAL PERFORMANCE I: Vocal Performance I offers a comprehensive foundation in vocal techniques, music theory, and performance skills. It covers vocal health, pedagogy, language studies, music fundamentals, and keyboard skills. The course includes vocal training, exploring production techniques, and Golden Age Musicals. Students also learn acting through song, focusing on characterization and staging. The curriculum culminates in winter and spring showcases, featuring classical works, Italian art songs, and Golden Age Musical duets, allowing students to apply their skills in practical settings.
TECHNICAL THEATRE I: In this course, students will be introduced to basic elements of technical theatre practices. Through a series of practical exercises and authentic projects, students will explore the various production roles of Sound and Lighting, Production Operations, Costuming, Makeup and Hair, and Set Construction. Students will also demonstrate understanding of fundamental industry language and terminology of Technical Theatre practices and be able to apply them. This floating unit will be infused throughout a student’s academy course work in grades 9 and will prepare students obtain a CTE credential in Technical Theatre.
Grade 10 Coursework
ACTING II: Acting II: Foundations of Scene Study expands on Acting 1, focusing on advanced acting techniques and their practical application. The course covers in-depth script analysis, character development, and the study of major theatre theorists. It incorporates movement training to enhance physical expressiveness. Students learn playwriting, directing, and explore developmental theatre concepts. The curriculum also introduces on-camera acting techniques, including film history, screenplay adaptation, and auditioning for screen. Students prepare for two showcases throughout the course: a winter performance of 10-minute plays and art songs and a spring Film Festival. This comprehensive approach bridges stage and screen acting, providing students with a versatile skill set for their acting careers.
VOCAL PERFORMANCE II: Vocal Performance II offers advanced vocal training and comprehensive musical education. It covers advanced vocal health, French and German art songs, contemporary musical theatre, and complex music theory. The course emphasizes aural skills, keyboard proficiency, and basic accompaniment techniques. Students explore music composition, technology, and advanced acting through song. Language studies focus on French and German pronunciation for singing. The curriculum culminates in winter and spring showcases, featuring a mix of classical and contemporary pieces, aiming to produce versatile vocal performers skilled in various musical styles and performance techniques.
Grade 11 Coursework
ACTING III: Musical theatre history and Broadway basics combines theory and practice in advanced musical theatre. It covers musical theatre history, advanced dance techniques, and technical theatre aspects. The core project involves creating and performing an original musical for the winter showcase. The course then shifts to advanced scene study, contemporary acting techniques, and career preparation, including resume building and industry insights. It concludes with a spring showcase for industry professionals and college scouts. This comprehensive approach, utilizing various performance spaces, prepares students for diverse careers in theatre arts.
VOCAL PERFORMANCE III: Advanced vocal pedagogy and training offers comprehensive vocal and theatre education. It covers advanced vocal techniques, anatomy, and musical theatre skills. Students engage in creating and performing an original musical for the winter showcase. The course then focuses on advanced music theory, aural skills, and keyboard proficiency, including non-Western music study. Career preparation is emphasized, covering resume-building and audition techniques. The curriculum culminates in a spring showcase for industry professionals and college scouts. Using various performance spaces, this course prepares students for diverse vocal performance and musical theatre careers.
