BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance

Musical Theatre Dance

Dance experience in the first year is designed to provide a foundation for the practical understanding of different styles, and the ensemble skills, which will enable an effective contribution to a musical theatre performance.

In this first module students will aim to develop a range of technical and expressive skills and the ability to function as part of a company of performers, developing rehearsal techniques and strategies for effective ensemble work. Students will be taught by professional dancers and choreographers.  

This module is based around the development of ensemble skills, with a balanced focus on the different performance styles of jazz, tap and ballet.

The main focus in semester 1 is to correct and develop alignment and posture, increase core and upper body strength through the regular engagement with dance tutors and choreographers.

This will be further developed in Semester 2 to a higher level in preparation for fully staged productions in year two of study.

Training is in a range of styles, which will develop versatility in performance to include specific knowledge of dynamics, use of space and the stage space and the relationship with other dancers.

Musical Theatre Acting

The first year of study is intended to develop performance skills in acting and to broaden the student’s awareness of a range of styles, strategies and techniques which they can approach.

Students develop their effectiveness within a performing group under the direction of specialist acting tutors. 

This module is based around the development of fundamental skills in theatre performance, connection to and understanding of self, truthfulness and character.

This will be achieved through acting exercises and techniques, for example, Stanislavski, Meisner, improvisation etc and through narrative and script work as an individual and ensemble performer.

Work in semester two will lead towards integrated theatre performances as preparation for the level 5 fully staged productions.

The practical emphasis of this activity, and the regular engagement with acting tutors, will develop skills in the forming of critical judgements of stage performance, and a corresponding increase – through continuous experience – in confidence in delivery.

Musical Theatre Singing

The first year of study is intended to develop performance skills in acting and to broaden the student’s awareness of a range of styles, strategies and techniques which they can approach.

Students develop their effectiveness within a performing group under the direction of specialist acting tutors. 

This vocal development module is founded upon technical study where a variety of skills particular to the students’ individual voice will be explored with vocal teachers.

The instrument is strengthened and nurtured to support stylistic and dramatic choices which are expressed in solo and ensemble repertoire .

Professional Resilience

This module will explore a range of different strategies designed to offer support to the emerging arts practitioner and will introduce students to a number of different models of successful self-development.

Musical Grammar

This module will introduce, reintroduce and familiarise you with a range of music theories (traditional, jazz, rock) and aspects of musical structure and notation. Alongside this, you will present and discuss your work, both individually and in groups, enhancing skills in teamwork and presentation and building confidence.

Musical Theatre Performance Projects

This year long programme of study is intended to develop performance and communication skills in the disciplines of acting, vocal and dance through a focus on integrated performance work.

This module introduces a more developed sense of performance context and quality by expanding the student’s current repertoire, technical ability and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.

An engaged approach to rehearsal and performance work will be encouraged. Students will take part in numerous performances across the academic year in both theatre and studio settings on campus. 

This module allows students to explore their contribution to ensemble performance and to develop their skills in solo work whilst working under different performance conditions.

There is an emphasis on engaging in continuous development of performance and production skills.

This will include a performance project, focused on developing integrated performance skills, in both semester one and semester two.

Understanding of varied repertoire will be developed alongside a progression in rehearsal room etiquette. Longer term planning, rehearsal and preparation strategies for performance will also be emphasised.

In addition, students will be encouraged to develop their skills in critical self-reflection to develop their practical performance work. 

Musical Theatre Dance 2

The second year of study is intended to build on existing levels performance and communication skills in dance, and to challenge individuals to exceed their previously held assumptions about technical and expressive limitations to performance work. 

Students develop their current repertoire, their exploration of new work under the direction of specialist dance teachers, and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.

Students may continue their study of dance styles in a streamed ability group in which they have been graded at the end of L4. 

The importance of communicative performance and of an actively engaging relationship with the viewer will continue to be emphasised in group lessons and in formative performance assessment and a more self-critical approach to standards of presentation will be encouraged in preparing students for the assessment task.

Students will discuss aspects of performance practice relevant to their discipline development, and further develop their skills in the forming of critical judgements of performance. 

Musical Theatre Acting 2

The second year of study is intended to build on existing levels performance and communication skills in acting, and to challenge individuals to exceed their previously held assumptions about technical and expressive limitations to performance work. 

Students develop their current repertoire, their exploration of new work under the direction of specialist acting teachers, and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.  

The importance of communicative performance and of an actively engaging relationship with the viewer will continue to be emphasised in group lessons and in formative performance assessment and a more self-critical approach to standards of presentation will be encouraged in preparing students for the assessment task.

Students will discuss aspects of performance practice relevant to their discipline development, and further develop their skills in the forming of critical judgements of performance. 

Musical Theatre Singing 2

The second year of study is intended to build on existing levels performance and communication skills in singing, and to challenge individuals to exceed their previously held assumptions about technical and expressive limitations to performance work. 

Students develop their current repertoire, their exploration of new work under the direction of specialist vocal teachers, and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.  

The importance of communicative performance and of an actively engaging relationship with the viewer will continue to be emphasised in group lessons and in formative performance assessment and a more self-critical approach to standards of presentation will be encouraged in preparing students for the assessment task.

Students will discuss aspects of performance practice relevant to their discipline development, and further develop their skills in the forming of critical judgements of performance. 

MTP Production 2

The second year of study is intended to develop an exploration of performance styles in practical work drawing on the technical skills from first year and to encourage a willingness to approach new and more ambitious material.

A more professional approach to rehearsal and performance work will be encouraged. Students will engage with a broad range of performance modes including full-scale production, showcase presentations and studio performances. 

This module allows students to enhance their contribution to ensemble performance and to develop their skills in solo work whilst working under different performance conditions and toward a variety of performance modes.

There is an emphasis on engaging in continuous development of performance and production skills. This will include a semester one performance project, focused on developing integrated performance skills, and a fully produced production at an off-campus theatre venue in semester two.

Awareness of varied repertoire will be developed alongside a progression in rehearsal room etiquette. Longer term planning, rehearsal and preparation strategies for performance will also be emphasised. In addition, students will be encouraged to develop their skills in critical self-reflection to develop their practical performance work. 

Musical Theatre in the Community

Musical Theatre is a popular subject for community groups and schools to use to enhance and explore curriculum topics.

It is useful for those exploring the contextual study of Musical Theatre to be able to prepare and work with their materials outside of the professional stage environment and the classroom.

This module utilises analytical skills in a practical manner through the development of a workshop and performance, which will be planned in taught sessions and toured throughout local schools and with school groups visiting BOC.

This will give students the opportunity to research and prepare musical theatre materials and apply their newfound contextual knowledge in a practical context.

This course will explore contemporary and recent examples of musical theatre, with a particular focus on transferring that knowledge into a practical community based project, culminating in the students working both on and off campus with children from local schools.

Students will perform and work with school children to enhance their understanding of both musical theatre content and material as well as workshop techniques and issues when working in a community setting.

Acting Vocal and Dance Development

This year long programme of study is intended to develop performance and communication skills in the individual musical theatre disciplines of acting, vocal and dance, and to introduce a more developed sense of performance context and quality.

Students develop their current repertoire and technical ability, their exploration of new work under the direction of specialist acting, vocal and dance tutors, and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.  

The importance of communicative performance and of an actively engaging relationship with the viewer will be emphasised in group lessons and in formative performance assessment.

A professional standard of presentation will be encouraged in preparing students for the assessment task. Students will discuss aspects of performance practice relevant to their discipline development, and develop their skills in the forming of critical judgements of performance. 

MTP Production 3

This module is intended to extend level five exploration of musical, dance and acting styles in practical work through the inclusion of new and more ambitious repertoires, performing in the public domain in an off-campus, public theatre context.

A professional approach to rehearsal will be expected and all related classes. Students will engage with a broad range of performance modes including full-scale production, workshops, showcase presentations and studio performances. 

The module allows students to undertake more ambitious personal development in performance whilst working under different performance conditions and toward a variety of performance modes.

There is an emphasis on exploring a high standard of performance and production skills and preparation for the industry.

This will include audition technique and specialist mock auditions, agent panel day(s), a semester one showcase, a fully produced production at an off-campus theatre venue and a graduate showcase.

Musical repertoire building and a variety of different performance contexts are discussed, leading to a clearer view of the achievement outcomes that are possible for each individual beyond undergraduate study.

Extensive ensemble rehearsal will be supplemented by small group coaching. Longer term planning, rehearsal and preparation strategies for performance will also be emphasised.

In addition, students will be encouraged to develop their skills in critical self-reflection to develop their practical performance work and industry preparation. 

Swing Project (Personal Study)

This third-year module is intended to give students an insight to the role of a ‘swing’ within a musical theatre performance context.

It will encourage students to develop an exploration of performance styles in practical work and to encourage a willingness to approach new and more ambitious material.

A more professional approach to rehearsal will be encouraged and students will be required to keep a ‘swing bible’ (written log) of all information needed to effectively take part in the performance, in any given role. 

The module allows students to enhance their contribution to ensemble performance and to develop their skills in solo work in the context of a large performance project.

Longer term planning, rehearsal and preparation strategies for performance techniques will be emphasised.

The module will work towards, and culminate in, a semi-staged performance. Students will be required to prepare effectively and thoroughly for this performance. 

Devising for Musical Theatre

Understanding how music can be used to drive a narrative is a useful skill for any creative musician or musical theatre practitioner.

Combining this with the knowledge of creating music in a collaborative and interdisciplinary context enhances the composer and writer/lyricist’s ability to create new and diverse pieces.

By exploring the devising process within the field of musical theatre, the students will engage with aspects of creating music and developing a narrative that are rarely explored together, but have produced some of the most iconic works of the 20^th and Early 21^st Century.

Students will examine the relationship between music and the dramatic form within composite art-works in order to develop devising and improvisation skills in order to generate successful compositional and theatrical presentations.