THET 451 - MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP
Professor Reese
Spring 2003 - Mondays 2-4:30
Lab Theatre CSPAC
 
Office CSPAC Room 2817
Office hours M & W 9-10 or by appointment
Phone 301/405-6686
e-mail  sr98@umail.umd.edu 

"Living, the whole body carries its meaning and tells its own story, standing, sitting, walking, awake or asleep."
                                                                                                                       -Mabel Todd, The Thinking Body

"Concentrating for one hour on the manipulation of one's limbs relieves and refreshes a mind that may be over engrossed in emotional problems."
                                                                                                                                                                                                                -Margot Fonteyn

"The technique of any art is sometimes apt to dampen, as it were, the spark of inspiration in a mediocre artist; but the same technique in the hands of a master can fan that spark into an unquenchable flame."
                                                                    -Josef Jaffer

"Those who are enamored of practice without science are like a pilot who goes into a ship without rudder or compass and never has any certainty where he is going. Practice should always be based upon a sound knowledge of theory."
                                                                                                                            -Da Vinci

"Today's actors, if they are to compete for audiences with the technological powers of film, electronically souped-up music and television, must generate within themselves an electric presence which transcends technological excitement."
                                                                                                                                -K. Linklater
 

Course Objective

Because the singing actor's work is two-fold--the actor's work on the voice and the actor's work on the role--this course is designed to address both aspects of the actor's work. Our course of study will involve the continued development of each student's physical instrument while focusing upon the special challenges techniques of the musical stage actor.

Specific objectives--

• To perform a great deal in front of others to relax into a personal musical style

• To familiarize oneself with the muscial theatre literature from the 19th century to the 1960s

• To have opportunities to perform in the various styles of musical theatre

• To sharpen audition skills

• To build an audition book

• To see every musical video and recording available

• To attend as many musical performances as possible

• To develop the skill of working quickly and efficiently

Course Requirements

Attendance is extremely important. You will be expected to attend every class. A leeway of ONE absence during the course of the quarter is permitted, however, without affecting your grade. An additional absence beyond the allotted ONE will result in a drop in grade. Promptness is a professional courtesy. Every TWO lates are counted as one absence.

One of the most important requirements needed for success in this course is SELF-DISCIPLINE. Only through self-discipline--both mental and physical--can we free ourselves for more controlled and creative usage of our body as instruments.

Throughout the quarter you will have various assignments. These must be prepared and presented on the assigned date.

Special costumes should be worn to class as required. What you wear influences how you feel, and how you feel influences how you move, and how you move delineates character.

Maintain a CLASS NOTEBOOK. Note down experiences which are especially helpful to you. Collect your observations on musical theatre, articles on musicals and the actor, class notes, outside observations, thoughts, experiences, etc.--anything that relates to classwork-- to develop discipline and an individual active work ethic.

Build an AUDITION BOOK. Start collecting songs that work for you. Arrange them in an alphabetical order and make sure they are suitable for any accompanist.

GOOD HEALTH IS ESSENTIAL. If you don't have it, actively strive to acquire it consciously and systematically through proper rest, diet, exercise, and stress reduction. A commitment is required here to care for your voice and body as a professional instrument.

Grading and Evaluation

Evaluation of your work will be individualized and based upon your own demonstrated effort and improvement. 20% of your grade will be based on your in-class discipline and contribution; and 80% will be based upon your prepared exercises and presentations.

Grading standards

A= Excellence in both the academic requirements and artistic accomplishment.

B=Above average achievement in academic and artistic accomplishment.

C=Average, reflects average work, basic completion of assignments.

D=Below average.
 
REQUIRED WORK
 Songs
 Scenes
 Ballad
 Operetta
 Up-tempo
 Vintage
 Patter/Character
Golden Age 
 Standard
 
 Microphone
  

Outside, Individual Work

"Where did I learn to understand sculpture? In the woods by looking at the trees, along roads by observing the formation of clouds, in the studio by studying the model, everywhere except in the schools."
                                                                        -Rodin

Listen to recordings as well as read the New York Times Sunday Arts section.

Remember to have fun.


 

SYLLABUS

TBA