TPP 2250/INTRO TO MUSICAL THEATRE – 3 Credit Hours: Fall 2015
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Professor: Allison M. Everitt
Office Hours: M - TH 8:30 – 9:30 AM; M & W 10:30 – 11:00 AM, T & TH 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Office Location: (110) 312
Phone: 729-6071
Email: everitta@nwfsc.edu
Final Exam: Monday, December 14, 12:00 – 1:50 PM
Web Page: http://faculty.nwfsc.edu/art/everitta/Detail.cfm?fld_ID=67
Reference Number: 10382
Campus/Room: (110) 304
Class Days: M & W
Class Times: 12:30 – 1:45 pm
Electronic Resources: https://d2l.nwfsc.edu/d2l/home/99442
Course Description
Intro to Musical Theatre is an exploration of musical theatre in a studio workshop setting.
Students will study the work of the actor/singer/dancer and use their gained knowledge to
develop as performers. There will be a heavy concentration on vocal methods and
technique. Students will prepare and present as soloists as well as members of small
groups and larger ensembles. Since this is a workshop course, students will prepare
material for class presentation and critique. There will also be a focus on the audition
process as well as musical theatre history, terminology and repertoire. Finally, the class
will participate in a culminating showcase performance at the end of the semester.
Course Prerequisite
None
Course Materials
SUGGESTED TEXTBOOK - Acting in Musical Theatre, 2nd ed., by Joe Deer and Rocco
Dal Vera – Routledge, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0-415-71327-6
REQUIRED MATERIALS - Sheet music and/or vocal selections from Broadway shows
(your expense).
Audition Notebook (3 ring binder) and plastic sleeves for music and resume/head shots.
Journal (Composition Book, folder w/ pockets, etc.) for class notes, character analysis,
assignments and class hand-outs.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate and apply the appropriate use of musical theatre terminology.
2. Develop the student’s understanding of musical theatre history and tradition.
3. Develop specific musical theatre genre acting skills including the integration of
singing, movement, acting, and ensemble work.
4. Describe the components of the typical musical theatre audition process.
5. Demonstrate imagination, creativity, and an awareness of varied points of view that
culminates in musical scene work.
6. Develop techniques for auditioning and performing.
Grading Procedures
Assignments: In addition to presenting in workshop, there will be a handful of important
assignments designed to help you broaden your knowledge of musical theatre and
strengthen your talents as a performer. Instructions, parameters and due dates for
assignments will be provided throughout the semester.
You must attend at least one (1) Musical Theatre production and submit a written
critique of these performances to the Dropbox in D2L. Critiques must be typed and
double spaced. Please submit the critique and show me the program and/or ticket stub (if
applicable) within 1 week of the performance.
GRADE SCALE
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
P.A.P.P.
ASSIGNMENTS
FINALE PERFORMANCE
JOURNAL
40%
25%
25%
10%
Incomplete Grades
At the discretion of the instructor, an incomplete grade (“I”) may be awarded
when the student is unable to finish the required work because of unforeseen
extenuating circumstances such as illness or TDY assignment. To receive an “I”
grade, the student must have successfully completed a significant portion of the
required coursework and be able to finish the remaining work without attending
class. An “I” grade will automatically convert to a grade of “F” if the student does
not complete the remainder of the coursework by the established deadline.
Course Content
Unit 1 – Musical Theatre Terminology and History
Unit 2 – Fundamentals of Acting in Musical Theatre
Unit 3 – Score and Libretto Analysis and Structure
Unit 4 – The Journey of the Song
Unit 5 – Making It a Performance
Unit 6 – Style in Musical Theatre
Unit 7 – The Profession
Unit 8 – Finale Showcase Rehearsal and Performance
Course Requirement
1. Students are required to attend one Musical Theatre production (A Chorus Line at FSU
on Oct. 25 – class field trip). A typed critique must be submitted within one week from
the date you (we) attend the performance.
2. Each student will be required to prepare and perform in class workshops two solos and
one group selection from Broadway/ Off-Broadway shows as chosen by the student and
instructor.
3. Character analysis and show research assignment.
4. Memorization of all singing/acting assignments as scheduled.
5. A journal/notebook containing all assignments, worksheets, class notes and hand-outs
including the programs from attended performances.
6. Each student will build an Audition notebook with resume, head shots, music and
monologues.
7. Each student will participate in assisting with Tech dept. for at least 1 college show.
8. Each student will participate in Mock Auditions.
9. Each student will participate in final song presentations and the finale showcase.
Course Conduct
Treat this work as your job every day. You want to get (and keep) the job and must bring
the best professional you to class daily. I expect your full creative self and a positive
professional attitude toward the day’s work and your classmates. It is understood that you
will come to class prepared and ready to explore the work in class accompanied by your
full mental concentration, your full physical ability, a vivid imagination and sense of
play, and a willingness to remain open to and embrace new ideas.
Class Attendance and Participation
Attendance: This is a studio/performance class! Missed classes and coaching can NOT be
made up!! You will be continually assessed during the semester in the areas referred to as
P.A.P.P: Participation, Attitude Preparation, & Progress.
Please come to all scheduled classes on time, prepared, and ready to work with a positive
attitude. Your attendance at workshops sessions, even if you are not presenting, is
especially important since you will be expected to analyze and critique other students in a
constructive and positive way. You are allowed TWO absences. Each additional absence
will result in the lowering of your P.A.P.P. grade. If you are more than 10 minutes late
for class, you will be marked tardy. TWO tardies equal ONE absence.
Students who stop attending class or are not able to pass the course due to attendance
expectations stated in the syllabus may receive a failing grade of FA. An FA grade is a
failing grade in GPA calculations and may impact the receipt of federal aid in subsequent
courses.
Participation: Students are expected to be fully engaged during class, participate in
workshop rehearsals/performances, participate in discussions, provide feedback and ask
questions. Your participation will affect your grade for this course.
Trust and Support
Acting training requires a great deal of courage from all involved. Giving and earning
trust is vital to the success of any performer. It is expected that you will support your
classmates with your fully engaged focus, support, and patience at all times. It is my goal
to develop a safe environment in which everyone will feel comfortable enough to take big
risks. It is okay to fail in this class; I would much rather see you FAIL BIG and learn
from it than to see the same choices day in and day out.
Preparation
Lack of preparation for the work in class will greatly hinder your own progress within
class (and that of your scene/duet partner). Taking responsibility for your own work is
one of the first steps to becoming a professional, now is the time to be practicing that
behavior.
Workshop
Several classes will be dedicated to workshop. You will present a minimum of three
workshop pieces during the course of the semester. Two must be solos and the third will
be a duet or small ensemble number (this is your choice). Whenever possible, you should
try to present pieces that include both music and dialogue.
You will receive guidelines on selecting pieces for workshop. Generally, you will be
expected to select pieces that suit your individual vocal range and also represent a variety
of styles and emotions. You will be expected to choose contrasting work.
While workshop pieces do not have to be “performance ready,” they should show
evidence of thoughtful preparation. You should be able to justify the acting, singing and
movement choices you are making within the musical context of your piece. Keep in
mind: while we will be able to spend some time selecting appropriate pieces for each
student to study and prepare, we will not be able to have each student learn each piece
during class time. You will learn much of your piece outside of class.
The more you know about the piece you are presenting, the stronger your performance
will be. Students should be able to speak about their character and the situation in which
they are singing. Many pieces detail the relationships between the singer and other
characters in the work; it is essential that you understand these relationships and how they
advance the plot of the work.
Workshop is a unique opportunity for you to receive critical feedback about your work
and progress. The more seriously you prepare and the more frequently you present, the
more you will benefit as a performer. You are encouraged to present additional workshop
pieces as time may allow.
Students in the “audience” during each workshop session are expected to provide
thoughtful, intelligent feedback and constructive criticism. We will not applaud any
workshop presentation, as I would like to make these workshop classes a “work-inprogress” atmosphere and encourage growth, not stunt it! As a group, we will help each
student develop his or her own work. Your participation in this feedback and critique is
essential to your success in the course. You will be surprised at how much you learn by
watching a classmate perform in workshop!
Showcase
We will present a Finale Showcase performance at the end of the semester. We will
develop the program for this showcase as a group and feature pieces from workshop
sessions throughout the semester as well as any large ensemble numbers we have
prepared as a class. The showcase will take place on – TBD.
Class Structure/Content
Class sessions will include group warm-up and content presentation. Certain classes will
also contain chorus/production number work and of course, workshop. A good amount of
class time will be dedicated to singing and vocal methods.
While the concentration in this course is on the music and singing, it is understood that
musical theatre performers must combine these talents with acting and dancing to be
ultimately successful.
Turnitin
Northwest Florida State College subscribes to Turnitin, an online plagiarism detection
and prevention service. By enrolling in this class, you are consenting to upload your
papers to Turnitin, where they will be checked for plagiarism. Papers submitted to
Turnitin are saved as source documents within the Turnitin database solely for the
purpose of detecting plagiarism in other papers.
Videos
This course employs lecture capture software to provide you with videos of your
instructor’s lectures/PowerPoints/notes/demonstrations, etc., and you are required to
watch these. These videos can be viewed with a standard Internet connection. If your
home Internet connection is not adequate, please remember that any NWFSC open lab is
available to you. You need only take your own headphones with you.
Social Networking Sites
This class uses a social networking site to build community and enrich students’ overall
experience. Participation in this site is optional and not a required element of the class;
all essential course information will be presented in the classroom or online, video, etc.,
depending on the class (traditional or distance). The instructor takes careful precautions
to safeguard students on the Internet; however, as with many Internet interactions, risks
still exist. By choosing to participate in the class’s social networking site, you accept
responsibility for the information you post and assume the risks associated with social
networking sites.
Cell Phone/Electronic Devices
Cell phones, pagers, and other such electronic devices must not distract from
learning. Courtesy to the professor and other students requires that phones be on
vibrate or silent mode during class. No student should initiate conversations,
including texts, during class activities. Use of electronic communication devices
during examinations or other graded activities may constitute grounds for
disciplinary action; such devices must be completely out of sight during exams or
other assessments. Where emergency or employment situations require access to
electronic communication services, arrangements may be made in advance with the
instructor.
Emergency College Closure
In the event of unusual or extraordinary circumstances, the schedule, requirements, and
procedures in this course are subject to change. If the college closes for inclement
weather or other emergency, any exams, presentations, or assignments previously
scheduled during the closure period will automatically be rescheduled for the first regular
class meeting held once the college re-opens. If changes to graded activities are required,
students will not be penalized as a result of the adjustments, but will be responsible for
meeting revised deadlines and course requirements.
Children in the Classroom
As a courtesy to other students and the learning process, students may not bring children
with them to class sessions. Health and safety concerns prohibit children from
accompanying adult students in any lab, shop, office, or classroom or other college
facility where potential hazards exist. If a child-related emergency means you must miss
class, contact the instructor as soon as possible to determine your options. (The full
“Children on Campus” policy statement appears in the College Catalog.)
Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Academic Integrity
Students are responsible for adherence to all college policies and procedures, including
those related to academic freedom, cheating, classroom conduct, computer/network/email use and other items included in the Northwest Florida State College Catalog and
Student Handbook. Students should be familiar with the rights and responsibilities
detailed in the current Northwest Florida State College Catalog and Student Handbook.
Plagiarism, cheating, or any other form of academic dishonesty is a serious breach of
student responsibilities and may trigger consequences which range from a failing grade to
formal disciplinary action.
RESOURCES
The Academic Success Center (ASC) is located in the Activities Center on the Niceville
Campus. The ASC provides free learning support services such as tutoring, ESOL, and
writing assistance for all NWFSC students. Individual and group tutoring is available in
a wide range of subjects on a walk-in-basis and by appointment. For more information,
call the Academic Success Center at (850) 729-5389 or visit our website at Free Tutoring.
Reading to Learn (R2L) is a project of Northwest Florida State College designed to
support students’ learning through direct instruction of reading strategies. Students may
access R2L at our website: Reading to Learn.
Math Labs are located in the Math Building L, Room L-131, on the Niceville Campus
and in Building 7, Room 702 on the Fort Walton Beach Campus and Room 131 at the
Crestview Center. The math labs are open to all students and provide free walk-in
tutoring for all mathematics courses. For lab hours, students may call the Math
Department at (850) 729-5377 or visit our website at Math Lab.
Smarthinking is an online, real-time tutoring offered free to students, who may access
this service via RaiderNet.
Open Computer Labs
There are numerous open computer labs throughout the Northwest Florida State College
campuses. Students may access our website for lab locations and hours: Computer lab
location and hours
Testing Center
Testing Centers administer college admissions tests, placement tests, proctored exams,
ACT/SAT, GED. CLEP, and DSST (formerly known as DANTES). General information
concerning tests, hours
Testing Center hours may be accessed on the Testing Center website at Testing Center.
Makeup exams may be taken in the Testing Center, depending upon instructor policies on
late work.
Library, Online Reference Materials, and Resources
The library is a comprehensive, learning resource center providing information in print,
digital, and multimedia formats to support the educational objectives of the College. In
addition to in-house materials, online services and resources can be accessed through the
LRC website. Library hours are posted each semester at the building entrance and on the
LRC website at Learning Resource Center
Assistance for Military and Veterans
Northwest Florida State College supports our military and veterans students. You may
contact NWFSC Eglin AFB Education Services Building at 850-200-4180 or NWFSC
Hurlburt Center Educational Services Building at 850-200-4190 or visit our website:
Support Our Military
Students with Disabilities
Northwest Florida State College supports an inclusive learning environment for all
students. If you have disabilities for which accommodations may be appropriate to assist
you in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Support Services on the Niceville
Campus, or call 850-729-6079 (TDD 1-800-955-8771 or Voice 1-800-955-8770.