St Brendan’s Sixth Form College
BTEC Performing Arts - Musical Theatre
Transition Task
In order to prepare you for the BTEC Performing Arts course we would like you to complete the following tasks. We will build on this during the first 4 weeks of study. The details are as shown below:
Key terms when studying Performing Arts - Musical Theatre
Term Definition
Blocking Deciding on the general positions and spatial relationships
Casting
Chorus
Conventions
Foreshadowing
Form
Genre
Hot-seating
Intonation
Performance style
Plot
Proscenium Arch
Protagonist
Proxemics
Show stopper
Staging
Sub-plot
Theme
Subject: A musical of your choice
Task 1 - Glossary:
Knowing the key terms will enable you to understand theatrical language, access the other tasks and make rapid progress when you start. Please complete the table, finding the definitions of all the terms
Thought-tracking
Tableau
Verbatim Theatre
Version 1 details
(production details, date, url, date of access)
Set design and props
Costume design
Lighting
Characterisation (physicality, use of voice, gesture, facial expression)
Staging (where in the space the action takes place)
Task 2 - Resource Use: Researching and discussing a range of Musical Theatre performances is an important skill. This will help you develop a contextual knowledge of the genre and help you realise your own interpretation of a role in rehearsal and performance.
Watch 3 different versions of one song from a musical of your choice (many extracts from a range of musicals are available on YouTube) and fill in the tables below.
Choreography
Version 2 details
(who is performing, date, url)
Set design and props
Costume design
Lighting
Characterisation (physicality, use of voice, gesture, facial expression)
Staging (where in the space the action takes place)
Choreography
1.
Version 3 details
(who is performing, date, url)
Set design and props
Costume design
Lighting
Characterisation (physicality, use of voice, gesture, facial expression)
Staging (where in the space the action takes place)
Choreography
2.
Task 3- Performance Requirements of Musical Theatre
Research Assignment: You will research the performance values of one musical theatre production in order to understand the requirements for you as an actor performing in this musical. Write up your research in your own words in one document. You may use images and quotations, ensuring they are fully referenced with the date you accessed the reference.
The Musical:
· Identify the musical you have chosen to research, and explain why.
· Give an outline in your own words, of the plot of the musical.
· Identify any other versions of this show, for example, film, novel, songs by an artist.
· What reviews of musical can you find? How did critics and audiences respond?
The Context:
· When is it set?
· What was going on politically and socially at the time of the setting? Give details
· Is this evident in the stage musical?
· How would you need to take this into account in your performance?
The Performance Demands:
· What is the performance style of the musical? Can you give some examples?
· What are the demands on you as a performer for one of the main roles in the musical? Choose one character and consider accents, attitude, movement, and physicality.
Task 4- Challenge
Please think about the following, there is no need to write anything, but if you choose to, come to your lessons ready to answer:
What would your interpretation of a character in your choice of musical be?
How does your research inform your ideas?
If I need further help?
Please do not be concerned if you are unable to complete all tasks or have queries you would like answered. If you would like further assistance during the summer period please email [email protected] stating clearly the subject and your query. You are also welcome to ask subject teachers for help during the enrolment process:
Rachel Hunt [email protected]