Musical Theatre

Acting 1A (15 CU) 
This module provides the foundation skills required for a stage performer through components in Acting, Voice and Script Analysis.

Acting
This component establishes the groundwork and understanding of what constitutes a reliable approach to acting, to be augmented over the three years of the programme. You explore various concepts, physical and mental techniques associated with the Stanislavski system of actor training, and apply these through exercises, improvisations and scene studies.

Voice
Voice classes introduce a series of exercises and techniques designed to lay the foundation for a sound vocal instrument. You are made aware of the importance of breath (support and release), resonance (balance and placement) and muscularity. Individual problem areas and habituated vocal patterns are identified, and specific vocal needs and capabilities explored. The foundation for clear vowels, consonants and flexible articulation is also established in exercises emphasising speech itself.

Script Analysis 
Script analysis is the road map to an actor’s work. Actors make their acting choices from the knowledge given to them through script analysis, which keeps them on steady course with the writer's intentions. Analysing the script creates a blueprint of clear choices that allows the actor to fully embody the text by simultaneously engaging with it intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Script analysis gives the actor a foundation to build on for character development, and provides the canvas to hone acting skills and techniques.

Musical Theatre Techniques 1A (15 CU) 
This module provides the foundation skills required for Musical Theatre performance through components in Dance and Singing.

Dance
Dance is a central skill for the musical theatre artist, and this component gives you a strong foundation through practical classes in the following:

• Body awareness – Engages you in physical and dance routines with safe dance practices, and develops your awareness of the human anatomy and its capacity to perform
• Jazz dance – Offers you a foundation in musical theatre dance, and develops your understanding of musicality and stamina
• Classical Ballet – Offers you a foundation in alignment, grace and flexibility

Singing
The singing voice is the most natural of all instruments, and this component is designed to empower you to explore your own individual vocal instrument as well as the musicality of vocal performance. 

Practical classes will include the following:

• Music theory, Aural skills and Keyboard – Teaches you to read and interpret music, including music terminology, standard harmonic construction and forms, as well as how to identify standard aural elements in sung music and on a keyboard.
• Singing Technique & Vocal Awareness – Develops in you safe vocal practices as well as awareness of the anatomical process of breath passing through vocal cords to produce sung sounds
• Song Repertoire – Encourages you to explore a range of music repertoire, and to explore with confidence your singing voice in the context of choral ensemble works.

Performance History and Analysis 1A (15 CU) 
This module engages you through components in the History of World Theatre and in studies of Dramatic Literature. It provides you with the social, cultural and historical contexts to understand live theatre performances of today. You gain an overview of European and Asian theatre, and the history that informed the development of European and Asian theatre and dramatic texts beginning from the early 19th Century.

History of World Theatre
You will receive an overview of Western and Asian performance, from early Greek and Roman theatre, through to the Medieval, Restoration, Enlightenment and Romantic era. Also included are the introductions of early Indian, Chinese and South-east Asian performance traditions. Emphasis is given to the ideas and concepts which have influenced the art and craft of acting, thereby encouraging an understanding of the interplay between practice and theory.

Dramatic Literature
This component engages you in the study and analysis of Dramatic Literature, providing in-depth analysis of dramatic texts, as well as examining genres, themes and ideas that inform advances in critical thinking. You gain an understanding of how to read, analyse and discuss dramatic texts. The focus of this component is on the classics of European dramatic literature and major playwrights, studied in relation to theatre history.  You concentrate on small sections of text from a range of plays and the focus is on developing your ability to extract useful and accurate information, and make connection between script and practical application for performance.

General Studies will also be offered to introduce you to subjects which would sit outside your usual frame of reference, but will provide you with a more robust and rounded education.

Performance 1A (15 CU) 
This module comprises rehearsal and performance projects that introduce you to the integration of class work, and address the fundamentals of the work process through a series of classroom presented workshops. Projects allow exploration of areas such as physical theatre, improvised or devised performance and integration of musical theatre skills, such as song and dance, and song and scenes. This module also exposes you to the needs of ensemble work and the need for personally centred learning.

Performance opportunities remain in the studio, and may include performance of songs, scenes and dance routines in the context of masterclasses, workshops and project presentations.

Acting 1B (15 CU) 
This module builds on the elementary skills taught in Acting and Voice from the module in Semester 1 to give you a more comprehensive understanding of the techniques available to you.

You will be exposed to different approaches to Acting, to give you a more comprehensive understanding of the techniques available to you. This may include the critical exploration and practical studies of approaches, such as Uta Hagen’s concept of working on self in order to identify character, the essentials of the Stella Adler technique and the interchange between the performer’s conscious and subconscious resources as outlined in Declan Donnellan’s The Actor and The Target, and others.

You will discover the interdependence of voice and body, and be introduced to the anatomy and physiology of the voice, and to health and care of voice, together with warm up and articulation exercises. Awareness of the importance of breath (support and release), resonance (balance and placement) and muscularity will be emphasised. You also begin the study of phonetics as a preparation for later accent and dialect work. 

You will work beyond linear understanding and personalisation into deeper explorations of character and characterisation. The module explores the tools and elements used in the act of observation, applied research, and making of physical and vocal adjustments in pursuit of distinctive and dimensional characterisations. You will be exposed to more complex physical entry points for characterisation, as well as continuing to build your strength, flexibility, spatial awareness, endurance and physical dexterity.

Musical Theatre Techniques 1B (15 CU)
Musical Theatre Techniques 1B extends on the foundation skills for Musical Theatre established in Semester one and develops these further through components in Dance and Singing.

Dance
Dance is a central skill for the musical theatre artist, and this component extends your exposure to a variety of styles through practical classes in the following:

• Jazz Dance – Extends your understanding of musicality, stamina and rhythm
• Classical Ballet – Extends your understanding of alignment, grace and flexibility
• Dance Style (such as Contemporary, Street Dance, eg. hip hop, Social Dance– Engages you in other dance styles which require rhythm, flexibility and strength

Singing
The singing voice is the most natural of all instruments and this component is designed to empower you to explore your vocal instrument, as well as the musicality of choral vocal performance. 

Practical classes will include the following:

• Music Theory, Aural and Keyboard Skills  – Enables you to read, interpret and play music. You gain a more advanced knowledge of musical terms, chords, their structure and inversion. You will also explore more complex intervals and rhythms in sight singing, with greater aural accuracy, and can accompany yourself on a keyboard to simple vocal works.
• Singing Technique & Vocal Awareness – Promotes safe vocal practices, where you learn to apply techniques to enhance your vocal range.
• Song Repertoire – Exposes you to a range of music repertoire, with a particular focus on music which provides a grounding in classical technique.

Performance 1B (15 CU)
This module comprises rehearsal and performance projects that introduce you to the integration of class work, and address the fundamentals of the work process through a series of classroom-presented workshops. Projects allow exploration of areas such as small-scale projects combining song, scenes and dance which offer stylistic as well as technical challenges. This module also exposes you to the needs of ensemble work and the need for personally centred learning.

Performance opportunities remain in the studio, and may include performance of songs, scenes and dance routines in the context of masterclasses, workshops, project presentations and/or productions.

Performance History and Analysis 1B (15 CU)
This module provides you with the social, cultural and historical contexts to understand live theatre performances of today. You gain an overview of modern European, American and Asian theatre, and the history that informed the development of modern dramatic texts.

History of World Theatre
You will receive an overview of Western performance from late 19th Century developments reflecting Stanislavski and the birth of modern theatre, together with 20th Century theatre and contemporary theatre practice, particularly in Europe, North America and Asia. Emphasis is given to the ideas and concepts which have influenced the art and craft of acting, thereby encouraging an understanding of the interplay between practice and theory.

Dramatic Literature
This component engages you in the study and analysis of Dramatic Literature, providing in-depth analysis of dramatic texts, as well as examining genres, themes and ideas that inform advances in critical thinking. You extend your understanding of how to read, analyse and discuss dramatic texts.  The focus of this component is on the classics of European, Asian and North American dramatic literature and major playwrights, studied in relation to theatre history from the late 19th century through the 20th century and into the 21st century.  

You concentrate on small sections of text from a range of plays, and the focus is on developing your ability to extract useful and accurate information, and make connection between script and practical application for performance. This component provides the groundwork for the actor’s ability to transform text into performance.

General Studies will also be offered to introduce you to subjects which would sit outside your usual frame of reference, but will provide you with a more robust and rounded education.

Acting 2A (15 CU)
This module develops your individual work methodology, by exploring a range of acting and voice techniques, and applying these to increasingly complex texts and performance forms.

The module explores the tools and elements used in the act of observation, applied research, and making of physical and vocal adjustments in pursuit of distinctive and dimensional characterisations. The actor's technical skills in naturalism are further enhanced. Honesty of performance is continually tested through the demands of acting for the camera. You also engage with the classical texts, such as the Shakespeare’s plays, requiring complexity of character and depth in the human experience.

Character voice is the primary focus, while resonance, vocal placement and support continue to be addressed. You discover a connection to language, words and rhetoric; the importance of oracy; and an awareness of the three-dimensional physical muscularity of body/vocal tract and language/image. Using heightened texts, you will learn to trust the instincts and needs of the character, rather than the intellectual presentation of the language, poetry and style of the play. You will begin to explore various accents. There is also an emphasis on the physical awareness and experience of sound distinction, and the ability to discern subtle changes in vocally articulated sounds.

Musical Theatre Techniques 2A (15 CU)
This module extends performance skills required for Musical Theatre performance through components in Dance and Singing. An emphasis on more advanced technical work is addressed, along with a greater understanding of style, and the encouragement of more rapid, accurate learning of basic choreographic combinations. Greater strength and flexibility are also addressed, along with stylistic accuracy.

The practical lessons include the following:

• Jazz Dance – Extends your performance
• Dance Styles (such as Tap, Ballroom, Social, Latin) – Engages you in dance styles which require rhythm and flexibility
• Dance Partnering – Ensures you are capable of dancing in harmony with a partner in different styles, and be able to perform moves such as lifts and turns safely.
• Singing Lessons – Continues to address vocal range and health, as well as the technical requirements for a greater stylistic repertoire. Students at this level study repertoire written from the 1960s to present day, expanding and developing the classical technique that was established in Level 1.
• Song Repertoire Classes – Introduction to the vocal repertoire of musical theatre, exploring the early works and styles that form the historical base of the genre. This class will allow you to begin the integration of your singing, acting and music skills. Song Repertoire class requires you to perform to both peers and lecturing staff. You will also be required to sing a complete song at sight. The material in Level 2 will have increased melodic and dramatic complexity.
• Song & Dance – Gives you the opportunity to explore musical theatre texts through ensemble scenes involving sung and danced material.

Performance History and Analysis 2A (15 CU)
This module includes a more specific study and exploration of the development of Musical Theatre. You examine musical theatre, its history, and evolution through discussions and research. The analysis, evaluation and assessment of text, lyrics, music and context of the seminal works and their creators provide a secure knowledge base for performance.

Continued examination of Dramatic Literature provides further analytical insights into both the literature and its writers.

Building on Performance History and Analysis 1A & 1B, Performance History and Analysis 2A will examine different periods and styles in Western and non-Western theatre – giving context, where possible, to the texts used in the performance modules. In conjunction with an overview of contemporary theatre practice, they also discuss the ‘isms’, and movements/forms such as Epic, Absurd and Post-Modern.

Analysis of performance texts takes the works of major playwrights from different periods and studies the distinctive features that identify particular periods and styles. You engage creatively and critically in independent research. In seminars, attention is placed on performance texts from the region and the cultural frameworks that surround the performance texts.

Performance 2A (15 CU) 
This module allows you to perform in works of varying styles and genres, using the theatre venues where appropriate. For Performance 2A, the projects provide you with an introduction to genres, such as cabaret, children’s musicals, devised and comedic works. Along with existing works, it is intended that you are also given the opportunity to work with writers on new works. An emphasis is also placed on rehearsal and performance protocol to the benchmark of industry standards.

Casting Policy
Casting will offer you the opportunity to experience principal, featured and ensemble roles. Due care is taken for you so that while progressive development is provided,  you are not exposed unduly to public scrutiny without a commensurate level of ability. All students audition for all Performance Productions. This ensures the development of audition technique. The plays and musicals selected over the course of study allow every student to be assessed fairly, with respect to the kind of roles given to them. When casting, the creative team considers your skill level and aims to present opportunities for all students to demonstrate the expected learning outcomes adequately.

Acting 2B (15 CU)
This module continues to develop your individual work methodology. You will be exposed to contemporary acting methodologies and various acting styles, and are encouraged to synthesise your work with greater depth and acumen. You will work beyond linear understanding and personalisation into deeper explorations of characters and characterisation.

Voice work becomes more integrated into performance, along with a greater understanding of the actors’ body and movement. You develop the capacity to apply accents to create character, and will continue to develop both your speaking and singing voice, formulating a deeper connection between text, breath and sound.

Musical Theatre Techniques 2B (15 CU)
This module extends performance skills required for Musical Theatre performance through the integration of skills acquired in the Acting module with the techniques in Dance and Singing taught within this module.

Dance
An emphasis will be placed on advanced technical work with a greater understanding of different dance styles, along with the encouragement of more rapid and accurate learning of complex choreographic combinations. Greater strength and flexibility are also addressed, along with stylistic accuracy.

The practical lessons include the following:

• Jazz Dance – Extends your performance
• Dance Styles (such as Tap, Ballroom, Social, Latin) – Engages you in dance styles which require rhythm and flexibility
• Dance Partnering – Ensures you are capable of dancing in harmony with a partner in different styles, and be able to perform moves such as lifts and turns safely.
• Singing Lessons – Continues to address vocal range and health, as well as the technical requirements for a greater stylistic repertoire. Students at this level study repertoire written from the 1960s to present day, expanding and developing the classical technique that was established in Level 1.
• Song Repertoire Classes – Introduction to the vocal repertoire of musical theatre, exploring the early works and styles that form the historical base of the genre. This class will allow you to begin the integration of your singing, acting and music skills. Song Repertoire class requires you to perform to both peers and lecturing staff. You will also be required to sing a complete song at sight. The material in Level 2 will have increased melodic and dramatic complexity.

Performance History and Analysis 2B (15 CU)
This module will provide an insight into the history and the development of film. Extensive exploration will be given to historic film cultures and practices, major cinematic movements, and their different and distinct structures. The study of film history will encompass cinema from its inception, through the studio era to present day. A series of weekly screenings provides a link between theory and practice.

In this module, you will also carry out supervised independent practice/artistic research on a topic of your predilection. Its purpose is to educate you with the skills necessary to reflect upon your training and artistic practice in order to formulate a coherent inquiry into specific practical and theoretical lineages. You will experiment with a comprehensive set of practice-based and practice research skills and methods. 

Topics covered include the following:

• Framing, justification and articulation of a practice/artistic research project
• Documentation and presentation of research outputs 
• Mechanisms of dissemination and of bridging research and professional practice (This component prepares you for the Dissertation module in Level 3)

Performance 2B (15 CU)
By this time, you will have adopted a rehearsal and performance methodology, in addition to the confidence to take greater risks in the rehearsal room. The ability to integrate the various technical skills should be evidenced by a more cohesive and seamless performance. It is expected that at this point, the experience of working with a variety of directorial practitioners will enable you to adapt to their differing methods of work. Projects programmed in Performance 2B are likely to engage you in dramatic/musical works that develop character, heightened language and experimental performance, as well as in more commercial musical theatre performance.

Interdisciplinary Project
Interdisciplinarity is a key principle of a LASALLE arts education. Exploration of interdisciplinarity in your creative practice will provide you with the platform to work across disciplinary boundaries and explore new ways of developing ideas, concepts and practices.

In this module, you will be required to undertake an interdisciplinary project. You will have the opportunity to work with team members from different programmes and disciplines on a common project brief. As a team, you will learn to integrate knowledge and skills from various disciplines to produce new insights and/or outcomes. 

Student Exchange Elective (60 CU) 
This module gives you the opportunity to explore fresh perspectives and alternative approaches to your creative discipline, by undertaking a semester-long international learning exchange in another institution. The aim of the module is to provide interested students an opportunity to enrich their learning journey, enhance their creative practice, learn from a socio-culturally different educational setting, and be exposed to new cultural and creative industries.

Please note that this is an elective module. Students who undertake this module will not be required to take additional modules.

In this module, you will spend a semester studying in a cognate programme or a selection of relevant modules at one of LASALLE’s partner institutions. You will also be expected to be an independent learner to relate and integrate the experience, knowledge and skills acquired to the assessments required for this module. Through this international experience, you will be able to strengthen your ability to adapt and react to changing trends and environment. You will build your capacity to contribute effectively as an active and informed local and global citizen, while broadening your network and enhancing your career prospects in the arts and creative industries. 

You are responsible for applying to this elective option through the College’s Division of Quality and Planning (Email: [email protected]) before Week 7 of Semester 1 . 

Your application for this elective module must be supported by your Programme Leader. You are expected to adhere to the regulations, guidelines and planned curriculum issued by the host institution. At the same time, you are expected to regularly update your assigned lecturer on the progress of your learning at the partner institution, and also seek guidance on the completion of the units of assessment for this module.

Industry and Community Engagement (20 CU)
This module is designed to enable you to broaden your knowledge of the cultural and creative industries by placing you, as a learning professional, within a professional work environment. The aim of the module is to help you develop work-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, prepare you to pursue opportunities in fields relating to your study, and expose you to a diverse set of professional trajectories. You will map your acquired skills, interests and aspirations against current (and future) opportunities in the cultural and creative industries, while putting to practice skills and knowledge gained in the classroom. You are required to attend various industry preparation workshops, such as resume-writing, interview skills, and etc., as part of this module.

In fulfilment of this module, you can choose one of the following options: 

Option A: Industry-based Internship(s)
You will independently source and apply for internship opportunities. You are required to identify your interest and career-trajectory. These opportunities should be in an organisation where the job functions are related to your discipline. 

The internship may be with a single organisation or an accumulation of short-term work with different companies, to accumulate the minimum 200 hours of on-the-job training. The internship may be spread across a number of days/weeks and need not be a full-time position. Where possible, you are encouraged to go beyond the minimum hours in order to showcase your talent and abilities, which will aid your quest for permanent employment and/or gain more opportunities to learn about the job and industry. 

All internships must be approved by the Programme Leader, prior to commencement, to align with learning aims and outcomes. 

Option B: Negotiated Projects
You will take a proactive and entrepreneurial approach to identify and create a niche for yourself, within the cultural and creative industries. You may undertake a combination of the following types of projects:

• Industry Live Project: You can source for an industry project, or this can be facilitated through the programme.
• Entrepreneurial Project: You may devise a business proposal and execute it. 
• Community Engagement Project: You can engage with a community of your preference, and develop and execute an initiative for them. 
• Short-term internship (about 100 hours)

To ensure that you fulfil the learning outcomes of this module, all proposals and short-term internship opportunities must be discussed and approved by the Programme Leader.

Dissertation (40 CU)
This module is the culmination of the research and contextual knowledge that you have acquired during the course of your study. You will be required to undertake in-depth critical research, and present a coherent argument based on investigation and analysis. The chosen topic will be relevant to your main course of study, and will be used to support and inform your specialist practice. It will demonstrate your deep appreciation of your field, and competency of key approaches and methodologies to contextualise it.

You will demonstrate an ability to identify a research topic that is close to your practice or field of study through a clear literature review, and present relevant arguments and hypotheses in the written form of between 6,000 to 8,000 words.

Before commencing your dissertation, you will be required to develop a research proposal outline to demonstrate your research question and approach to completing the dissertation. In consultation with your supervisor, you may form your dissertation around an exegesis that foregrounds your major creative studio practice. Programmes where you are eligible to develop a piece of creative practice as part of your dissertation may be negotiated with your supervisor. In this instance, the word count for the written element may be negotiated, but a minimum word count of 4,000 words is required.

You are expected to undertake a significant amount of independent and self-motivated research. You will be assigned a supervisor who will provide guidance in your research work. You will also be required to attend all dissertation-related classes.

Graduation Performance (60 CU) 
This module accustoms you to the environment and practices clearly aligned with those of a professional theatre company. The interdependence of all facets of the actor’s process is stressed and you are expected to create work that has the efficiency and deftness of professional acting. This module extends your experience of theatre in full-length, fully-mounted production(s) of contemporary plays in roles best suited to your unique qualities. You are expected to adapt your working methods to meet specific vocal, physical and technical demands of the different spaces and audiences with confidence.

The repertoire includes contemporary plays selected to celebrate and promote the graduating students as intelligent young artists in touch with contemporary issues in the real world. These complement and balance the range of roles and productions in which you have already performed.

The productions will always draw upon contemporary and cutting-edge practices which are being employed in Singapore, Asia and the rest of the world. You will continue your professional development by engaging in mock-auditions with industry professionals, screen tests, voice-over work and finally the construction of a showreel. These demonstrations and projects will ensure that you are provided with the best opportunity to be industry-ready and be empowered to promote yourself following graduation.