FT3MUS-Musical Theatre

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: FT2PS Performance Skills: Acting and Directing or FT2EL Exploring Location or FT1DP Devising Performance: Politics and Citizenship
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Lisa Woynarski
Email: l.woynarski@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Lucy Tyler
Email: l.s.tyler@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module explores both the theory and practice of contemporary musical theatre. The focus is on the research and development (R&D) of musical theatre, its dramaturgy, political context, modes of production, representation and reception. You will have a chance to undertake group practical experiments in musical theatre, although this does not include practical training in singing and dancing and no singing and dancing training is required! Instead, your collaborative practical experiments will explore a range of performance strategies deployed in contemporary musical theatre production.  

Aims:

• To facilitate a theoretical and practical exploration of contemporary issues in musical theatre; 


• To develop students’ understanding of the contexts in which developments in musical theatre, and debates about musical theatre, emerge; 


• To explore relevant issues of representation, production, reception and political contexts in musical theatre development; 


• To develop students’ skills through practical exploration musical theatre development, dramaturgy and staging techniques. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

• draw on relevant aesthetic, cultural and political debates in order to analyse diverse musical theatre practices and processes;? 


• demarcate specific modes of development, production and dramaturgy in contemporary musical theatre and in your own practical work;? 


• explore strategies specifically relating to your own musical theatre experiments, meaningfully integrating theory with practical work; 


• critically reflect on your own practical work and professional skills developments. 

Additional outcomes:

The portfolio/practical work and written components are the assessed outcomes. Additional outcomes arising from the processes of creative practice and written critical reflections include:?? 

Critical written reflection: appropriate deployment of research using printed and electronic resources, critical analysis and coherent argument; presentation of written work using IT; self-evaluation and self-critical analysis.? 

Creative production/practical work: practical planning and time management; successful management of the individuals and resources involved in production, within the constraints and policies of the Department; the development of IT and technical skills appropriate to the given project (e.g. projection design).? 

Outline content:

This module explores the theory and practice of contemporary musical theatre, with an emphasis on research and development (R&D). How are musicals developed? What are the politics of the production? What representational issues are present in their production, staging, casting and reception? Whose stories are told and whose are erased? Who gets to go to musical theatre? These questions will be explored both through analysis of musical theatre as well as your own practical experiments. Onthis module, there is potential of working with community partners in Musical Theatre?development.?? 

Global context:

This module explores the politics of production and representation in musical theatre. It will focus mostly on English-language examples, however underrepresented and marginalised groups will be the subject of analysis.  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Students will learn through weekly workshops which will include critical and practical approaches to musical theatre. Teaching and learning methods will include in-class staff and student lectures/presentations, seminar-style discussion groups, technician-led practical workshops, portfolio/practical project supervision, theatre and archive visits, and visiting talks or masterclasses from practitioners and/or scholars. Some of these teaching and learning sessions may be delivered through blend ed learning.? Students will have the chance to reflect on their learning through the module’s written component and they can demonstrate their practical development through the realisation of their final portfolio/practical project.?? 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	3
Seminars	6
Project Supervision	1
Practicals classes and workshops	6
Work-based learning	49
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	20
Wider reading (directed)	10
Peer assisted learning	10
Advance preparation for classes	15
Preparation for seminars	10
Preparation for performance	20
Preparation of practical report	10
Completion of formative assessment tasks	10
Group study tasks	10
Carry-out research project	10
Reflection	10
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	60
Project output other than dissertation	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Practical presentation – 60% 

Portfolio of Development Blogs – 40% 

Formative assessment methods:

Formative feedback will be provided in class on specific exercises 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework 

 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Travel, accommodation and subsistence: £60-75 

 

Last updated: 14 August 2023