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Graduate Production 2014 ORDINARY DAYS by Adam Gwon

BA (HONS) MUSICAL THEATRE / ACTING

PRE-COURSE INFORMATION 2014 2015

Graduate Production 2014 BEL-AMI by Alex Loveless

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GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the University of West London and to becoming a part of this unique course which is

placed at the heart of the London College of Music. The BA Musical Theatre and BA Acting courses

engage with students from an acting perspective, whilst encouraging work in supporting disciplines in

order to identify and give clarity to the importance of words, action, movement and music. Further

performance/musicianship/dance/combat skills are obtained within curricular and extracurricular

sessions.

This course teaches all three related disciplines (movement/acting/vocal) in a positive learning

environment and is contributory to the creation of what could be referred to as the total performer.

It is understood that instinct and accident can be major forces in this field but this degree is about

technique and discipline, both in the practical and intellectual aspects of performance. It is agreed

that in this field it is through doing that knowledge and intellectual skills are to be identified and

developed.

In recognition of current trends within all aspects of performance media, the course seeks to develop

you as a reflective practitioner with the ability to devise and perform original work. We believe it is

essential to develop these skills in order to prepare for employment in the 21st century.

Resources include a new state-of-the-art performance space, rehearsal studios, recording studios,

video production suites plus use of external venues such as Ealing Film Studios, Soho Theatre, Actors

Centre, Watermans Theatre and Charing Cross Theatre.

David S K Henson Revised: 7th August, 2014

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Musical Theatre studied from an acting perspective

University qualification whilst offering a distinctive vocational flavour

Seeks to develop the self-thinking practitioner

Instinct and accident are major forces in performance - we challenge these in practical and intellectual circumstances

Course is unique by being based within a Musical Faculty

Acting is at the heart of all the work undertaken

Learn through a variety of assessment strategies

The Code of Practice is an invaluable tool for the development of the working performer

Heart of the course gives respect to movement, theatre and music

Equipped purpose built performance studios and lecture theatres

Actions definitely speak louder than words

Technique and discipline at the heart of these studies in order to provide students with a good understanding of the nature of the business

Recording studios and university radio station plus additional relevant facilities

Employment opportunities

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PATHWAY FOR THE BA DEGREE COURSE

LEVEL 4: Development of the actor-singer.

Techniques in movement, acting, spoken and sung

voice

Individual singing tutorials, related theatre practice includng self-

direct experience

LEVEL 5: Creativity encouraged by more

sophisticated technical competencies in actor

movement, acting, spoken and sung voice

Musicianship, musical theatre ad actng contexts and detailed analysis as to how a performance is

structured

Singing tuition, rehearsal systems to help define the

text/song lyric - scene studies

Interpretation of the text/song lyric through the use of sung voice, body,

acting and life experience

LEVEL 6: Performer engages in an in-depth

study of challeging repertoire. New

interpretative choices to be realised by the

performer

Performer uses imagination and research to fill-in the missing details

and the reason why the text/song lyric exists

Performance becomes shaped by external

factors - tutors, individual singing tutorial support,

external directors, choreographers and

peers

Marketing procedures, tax, dealing with agents

and 'Showcase' material -professional actor's tool

box

Success of public production/performance recognised in audience

reaction and pre-determined artistic goals

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Information about your first year of study at LCM

LEVEL FOUR

Both Musical Theatre and Acting share the first year curriculum as this level of study is focused on the individual. There will be no attempt to integrate these skills until Level 5. It is essential to investigate slowly and thoroughly equip students with a range of personal knowledge, understanding and relevant performance skills in relation to Voice, Body, Acting and Singing. Vocal repertoire (sung and spoken) will be concerned with personal interpretation rather than the character as played within the scene or piece of musical theatre. This will enable you to operate effectively as a flexible and creative performer and opportunities to put these elements into practice in creative contexts will be evident within each module guide. Level 4 will also concentrate on musicianship skills and techniques of the actor-singer in order to provide a useful foundation upon which to develop as a competent performer. The process of critical writing and relevant methods of research in relation to reflective practice is an integral part of the delivery of this curriculum at this level. Additional studies in dance and stage combat will be considered part of the Movement Studies module.

DANCE STUDIES AND STAGE COMBAT

TEXTUAL STUDIES 1 MU 40181 E

MUSICAL THEATRE FOR ACTORS 1 MU 40061 E

VOICE STUDIES 1 MU 40158 E

MOVEMENT STUDIES 1 MU 40162 E

ACTING 1 - FIRST SEMESTER MU 40163 E

ACTING 2 - SECOND SEMESTER MU 40164 E

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TYPICAL TEACHING WEEK AT LEVEL 4

Day/Time [1] 9:00 11:00 [2] 11:30 1:30 [3] 2:00 4:00 [4] 4:30 6:30

Monday Textual Studies / General Musicianship in groups Choral Ensemble

Tuesday Voice / Movement / Stage Combat

Wednesday Masterclass Sessions Concert Activities / Voxes Glee Choir

Thursday Acting 1 & 2 / Self-direct / Rehearsals / 1-2-1 singing tuition

Friday Dance / Musical Theatre for Actors / Self-direct / 1-2-1 singing tuition

USEFUL COURSE INFORMATION LCM web pages: http://www.uwl.ac.uk/academic-schools/music LCM Live (upcoming events): http://www.uwl.ac.uk/academic-schools/music/london-college-music-live LCM on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LCMLive Facebook LCM photo gallery http://www.facebook.com/LondonCollegeofMusic?sk=photos

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2013 - 2014 PRODUCTIONS

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TWO RECENT REVIEWS

Merrily We Roll Along has emerged over the past two years as a late-blooming masterpiece with a score that stands comparison with any. Merrily We Roll Along and its new-found fame encouraged the musical-theatre wing of the University of West London to add it to their growing list of Sondheim productions which has seen Company and Into the Woods tackled with gusto at the Watermans in recent years.

With a cast of 20 and a professional band of 12, it does need firm hands on the tiller and in director Simon Greiff and musical director George Carter it certainly gets them. Greiff, who is very much involved with emerging talent through his work with Mercury Musical Developments and his company SimG Productions, stages the show beautifully and drew some terrific performances from the students, while Carter, a London College of Music regular, puts together a wonderfully disciplined team The two hours and 40 minutes simply raced by...

Jeremy Chapman

Creating a new musical such as Bel-Ami is always an ambitious project and this world premiere, based on the 1885 novel by French author Guy de Maupasssant, is a zeitgeisty take on the media establishment even as today's tabloid journalists are lining up in the dock for their part in the phone hacking scandal. Performed by students at London College of Music, University of West London, the production displays a wealth of young talent who sing the house down thanks to superb music and lyrics by Alex Loveless, who seems to use an unusual mishmash of 80s synth and modern pop as his reference points. catchy music the fabulous cast finish in style. The final verdict: those who love their musicals will delight in such an inventive adaptation

Will Stone

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RESIDENT FACULTY AND STAFF Sara Raybould Director, London College of Music David Henson Head of Subject Performance, Composition & Performing Arts Marcia Carr Course Leader BA Musical Theatre Nick Phillips Course Leader BA Acting for Stage John Davey Course Leader BA Theatre Production Emma Evans Level 4 Year Tutor (Musical Theatre) Nick Phillips Level 4 and 5 Year Tutor (Acting) Richard Link Level 5 Year Tutor (Musical Theatre) Alex Loveless Level 6 Year Tutor (Musical Theatre)

IMPORTANT CONTACTS Information regarding the course marcia.carr@uwl.ac.uk nick.phillips@uwl.ac.uk

emma.evans@uwl.ac.uk richard.link@uwl.ac.uk alex.loveless@uwl.ac.uk

Head of Admissions dean.leow@uwl.ac.uk Admissions Officer ray.brown@uwl.ac.uk If you want to meet some of our staff click on the link below: http://www.uwl.ac.uk/academic-schools/music/our-staff/meet-our-staff

ESSENTIAL READING It is expected that each student MUST purchase or read a copy of the following texts before starting the course: Henson, D & Pickering, K Musical Theatre: A Workbook Palgrave Macmillan 2013 Kayes, G Singing and the Actor AC Black 2004

It is essential that by the start of the course that you have viewed some of the following musical theatre recordings on DVD

1. West Side Story Bernstein and Sondheim 2. South Pacific Rodgers and Hammerstein 3. Sweeney Todd Sondheim 4. Chicago Kander and Ebb 5. Sound of Music Rodgers and Hammerstein 6. Company Stephen Sondheim 7. Gypsy Laurent, Styne and Sondheim 8. Oklahoma Rodgers & Hammerstein

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ESSENTIAL MATERIAL Each student MUST purchase the following items of equipment before starting the course: GIRLS:

Four plain natural fibre cap sleeved t-shirts, three black, one coloured no logos

Black / white blouse

Natural Fibre cropped trousers (floor length is unsuitable) for movement

1 leotard

1 pair leggings

1 practice skirt black

Black/tan dance tights

Pashmina

Black socks

1 pair black jazz shoes or 1 pair of New Yorkers (2.5 heel)

Yoga mat

Pocket Sized Dictionary

Selection of pens and pencils

Eraser and tippex

Selection of writing pads, folders and note books

Memory stick/personal data storage device

Calculator

Loose clothes / black shoes for any aspect of production work BOYS:

Four plain natural fibre cap sleeved t-shirts, three black, one coloured no logos

Black / white shirt

Natural Fibre cropped trousers (floor length is unsuitable) for movement

2 black vests

1 pair leggings

1 black suit or black smart jacket and black dress trousers

1 plain smart waistcoat

Black socks

1 pair black jazz shoes and lace up ballroom shoes

Pocket Sized Dictionary

Selection of pens and pencils

Eraser and tippex

Selection of writing pads, folders and note books

Memory stick/personal data storage device

Calculator

Loose clothes / black shoes for any aspect of production work All students will also be expected to attend extra sessions in keep-fit, dance and stage combat

CURRENT TUITION FEES 2014 entry: 9,000 per year International: 9,950 per year

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SALAD DAYS by Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade (above)

THE BIOGRAPH GIRL by Warner Brown and David Heneker (left)

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth

(below)