DANC 263A: Dance for Musical Theatre - Beginning

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2020
Credits: 4
Total Contact Hours: 144
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 108
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: Audition.
District General Education: E1. Dance Activity
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

This course is an in-depth performance experience focusing on styles of body movement for musical theatre stage productions. The fundamentals of dance will be reviewed, including beginning ballet positions and exercises and beginning tap. Concepts of the history of dance in musical stage will also be explored. 36 lecture hours, 108 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • demonstrate familiarity with specialized vocabulary and notations used in choreography
  • demonstrate ability to perform basic warm-up routines and procedures
  • demonstrate ability to perform beginning level choreographed dances of standard musical stage
  • demonstrate ability to perform beginning level ballet positions and exercises
  • demonstrate an ability to perform the beginning level of tap
  • demonstrate the ability to transform musical concepts into choreographed
  • demonstrate knowledge of the basic level of history and advancement of Musical Theatre productions

Major Course Content

  1. Fundamentals of Dance
    1. Theater dance/movement terminology
    2. Positions and exercises and their correct usage
    3. Beginning level ballet terms and technique
    4. Standard musical theater dance, including partner work, character movement
  2. History of Dance in Musical Theater
    1. Development of character through movement
    2. History of dance in the theater from vaudeville to present-day modern, jazz and tap dance
  3. Preparation of Musical Theater Production
    1. Learning the choreography/blocking
    2. Learning the score
    3. Learning individual movement and parts
    4. Individual work with students to develop character movement
    5. Final Performance/Project
  4. Critique of performance/project; what did and did not work and why
  5. Improvements to be made for further performances/projects

Lab Content

  1. Rehearsal of Given Choreographic Combinations
  2. Assimilation of Instructor Notes
  3. Application of Research and Home Study
  4. Refinement of Notes through Individual Rehearsal
  5. Rehearsals on Set and in Costume
    1. Spacing Rehearsals
    2. Orchestra Rehearsals
    3. Sound Rehearsals
    4. Lighting Rehearsals
    5. Costume Parade and Fittings
    6. Dress and Final Dress Rehearsals
  6. Public Performances
  7. Individual Rehearsals and Assimilation of Notes
    1. Memorize Blocking
    2. Memorize Spacing
    3. Individuals Character Assimilation to Choreography
    4. Interaction/Rehearsal with Fellow Performers
    5. Integration of Costume/Sound to Gesture and Performance

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Internet Research, Musical Theatre Scripts

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Rehearsal skills and performance readiness are more accurate means of evaluating progress than written examinations.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Keep journal of rehearsal notes and observations.
Rehearse and refine choreography given in class.
Research and refine character development from in class instruction.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab