Musical Theatre Performance I

Catalog description

Studio training in the unique performance skills, repertoire and business of professional music theatre. THEA 223 Musical Theatre Performance I (2) (BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.The purpose of this class is to introduce sophomore BFA musical theater students to the art of performing the solo song based on the book musical. While utilizing the performer's skills in acting, singing and dance/movement, the student will learn how to communicate clearly and compellingly 1. who his/her character is 2. to whom the character is singing 3. why the character is singing these particular words to this particular music at this particular time. The student must understand his/her environment, relationships, obstacles, tactics, and stakes in order to accomplish this task. This is the class that begins to synthesize the student's performance training for the special demands of musical theatre. Most of the work will concentrate on solo performance, building the student's power and confidence and beginning to explore both their individual uniqueness and their crucial relationship to their audience. Students must prepare two contrasting musical theatre pieces from 'book' musicals preferably from 'The Golden Age' (1920-1960s). These songs must be chosen in collaboration with musical theatre faculty and the student.Students must obtain copies of the music and lyrics for their songs and the book.A thorough knowledge of the book is as important as a through knowledge of the music and lyrics in order to make informed performance choices. Students are required to keep a journal. Written exercises about passive, active, stage directions, and character analysis as well as in-class exercises on these topics will be part of the class assignments.