This Musical Theatre course will take students on a journey through the world of Broadway. We will watch and analyze theatre productions to explore the past, present and future of American musical theatre. Students will also develop the skills of the musical theatre triple-threat performer: actor, singer, and dancer through exercises and workshops. Throughout virtual learning we will emphasize the vocal and acting elements of musical theatre performance.
Musical Theatre Performance
Students will develop and apply proper vocal technique to solo, duet, and ensemble numbers; learn to develop a character through dialogue and song; and learn the foundations of musical theatre dance including ballet, jazz, and tap.
The American Musical
Students will achieve understanding of the historical, creative, artistic, and aesthetic aspects of musical theatre in relationship to American history.
Theatre Production
Students will learn about everything that goes into producing a musical from finances to lighting design and explore the many career opportunities in the world of theatre.
Summative
Purpose: to assess student achievement of content standards
Examples: Performances, projects and exams.
Missed or late summatives may be made up to the quarter drop dead date.
Summative assessments where students do not demonstrate mastery may be reattempted to do so up to the drop dead date.
Formative
Purpose: determining students’ progress towards mastery of learning targets.
Examples: Classwork, performance workshops, presentations, essays, and exit tickets.
Late formative assignments may be submitted by the Sunday midnight of the week they were due.
Academic Responsibility
Purpose: to demonstrate student's level of participation in class, adherence to deadlines.
Process: Weekly participation grades will reflect student's level of active engagement in class activities, points will be subtracted from this category for late assignments.
3
Takes initiative; actively engaged in class activities consistently
2
Participation in class activities occasionally requires prompting; frequently half-hearted.
1
Minimum effort; seldom responds or engages in activities
As a Performing Arts class, student performance is central to the nature of the course and is required. Given the "new normal" we are developing this will look different in other years. Performances over distance learning will include self-recorded video and audio submissions and Zoom recorded ensemble performances. When we return to in-person learning the feasibility of other forms of performance will be assessed, with a priority for performer and audience safety.
In this class, we work with the goal of creating an ensemble. An ensemble is a group of performers, using their individual strengths cooperatively and responsibly for the betterment of a group, wherein the group becomes just as important as the individual. Our ensemble’s goal is to respect and value one another’s offerings, and to use our strengths to create the best theatrical work we can make.
While not anticipated, students whose behavior is not conducive towards achievement of this goal will receive tiered corrective action from the instructor:
1 - Private chat message reminder of Zoom rules/class norms
2 - Private chat or general class verbal reminder
3 - Student moved to breakout room for private teacher conference and parent contact
4 - Administrative referral, possible removal from Zoom call
Severe infractions of school policies or Ed Code may result in immediate referral and/or removal from Zoom call.
**Any changes or updates to this syllabus will be provided in writing (e.g. a return to on-campus classes).**