Musical Theatre (BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma)

Specific Entry Criteria

Grade C in English Language and a background in one or more of the featured art forms is required. This should be either a grade C GCSE in music, dance or drama and/or performance experience/graded examinations in one or more art forms.

About the Subject

This is a two year course leading to a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Performing Arts with a focus on Musical Theatre. (equivalent to 1 A level) This course is suitable for students who have a keen interest in the performing arts and who are considering studying a related subject at degree level. The course focuses on the skills needed for musical theatre performance: jazz dance, acting skills and singing skills and these will be explored both practically and theoretically. You will also study musical theatre across the ages developing skills to discuss and analysis existing works and how they relate to history and society.

Course Content

Year 1

The first year of the course (BTEC Certificate) you will study the following units:

• Musical Theatre Performance (Mandatory) - You will explore how acting skills form the most important aspect of musical theatre and will explore these skills in depth. You will find out how the combination of skills needed to perform musical theatre works. You will explore how the three performance areas work together. This unit will also include the study of existing works and the historical context they exist in.
• Jazz Dance - This area of the course explores jazz dance techniques as found in musical theatre; the practical aspect of this unit will develop dance skills in a wide range of genres from stage to street and will theoretically investigate the history of the jazz dance style and the relationship between music and dance.
• Singing for Actors and Dancers - In this unit you will learn fundamental singing techniques and be able to perform in both ensemble and solo situations with skill and confidence.

Year 2

In the second year (BTEC Subsidiary Diploma) you will study the following units:

• Performing to an Audience (Mandatory) - This unit brings together all the skills and knowledge developed over the course and works with all three art forms to create a performance suitable for public performance. This will enable learners to work as an ensemble to produce a musical theatre performance from existing repertoire.

• Dance Performance

  - This unit further develops the skills gained in the jazz dance unit and looks at the techniques required for performing dance, preparing you for the performing to an audience unit.
• Singing Techniques and Performance - This unit looks in detail at the technical skill required for singing in performance and explores characterisation and the ability to read music notation from vocal scores a skill that is necessary in the professional world.

Assessment

The course is made up of completing and passing a minimum of 6 units. The units studied in year 1 of the course lead to a BTEC Certificate in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre),h leading to a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma after completion of the second year of the course. Assessment is through ongoing assignment based work and can vary from written tasks to practical demonstration of skills in the three areas. On completion students will be awarded with an overall grade which can be used towards entry to university.