THET 452 - MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP
Professor Reese
Spring 2002 - Mondays 3-5:30
Lab Theatre CSPAC
| Office | CSPAC Room 2817 |
| Office hours | M & W 9-10 or by appointment |
| Phone | 301/405-6686 |
| sr98@umail.umd.edu |
"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong."
-Joseph Chilton Pearce
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life youâve
imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler."
-Henry David Thoreau
"Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature,
music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful
souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."
-Henry Miller
"We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop
trying to conform to our own or to other peoplesâ models, learn to
be ourselves, and allow our natural channel to open."
-Shakti Gawain
"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that
is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of
you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will
never exist through any other medium and will be lost."
-Martha Graham
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.
ð To familiarize oneself with the musical theatre literature from the 1960s to the present
ð To have opportunities to perform in the various styles of musical theatre
ð To sharpen audition skills
ð To build an audition book
ð To see every musical video and recording available
ð To attend as many musical performances as possible
ð To develop the skill of working quickly and efficiently
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 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listen to recordings as well as read the New York Times Sunday Arts section.
Remember to have fun.