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Catalog Description Prerequisite: Completion of MUS 10 with grade of "C" or better or permission from instructor following audition Advisory: Completion of THEA 10A or MUS 39A with grade of "C" or better or at least one year of private vocal lessons Hours: 72 (36 lecture, 36 activity) Description: Requisite acting techniques to be successful in performing in a Broadway style musical. While the focus of the course is on acting, proper techniques in singing and movement will also be included. Students will practice and perform solos and duets. Dance or heavy movement are not emphasized in this course. (CSU, UC) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Identify and evaluate through discussion and written analysis the achievements and contributions of major Broadway musical composers and lyricists, periods and styles. CSLO #2: Analyze and demonstrate techniques required to successfully audition for a musical. CSLO #3: Observe live musical theatre performances and critically analyze acting and musical vocal technique, character development and presentation. CSLO #4: Access, analyze, and create a character utilizing learned practices to be an effective actor in a musical through rehearsal and performance of a solo and duet. Effective Term Fall 2026 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 72 Outside of Class Hours 90 Total Student Learning Hours 162 Course Objectives Lecture Objectives: 1. Identify and discuss differences of styles of musicals and composer/lyricist teams from the late 1800's through the 21st century.  2. Identify, observe and discuss the relationship between acting and singing Broadway musical vocal styles using voice and body language and character expression 3. Discuss techniques required to successfully audition for a musical Activity Objectives: 4. Practice the basic steps toward creating a character in a musical, including building an acting objective, obstacle, tactic and back story 5. Practice learned techniques of creating characters and reinforce through in-class performances of musical solos and duets 6. Practice and perform basic elements of blending acting technique with vocal techniques on stage utilizing stage movement, posture, voice technique, range and style General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability AA/AS - Arts and Humanities AA/AS - Fine Arts CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) Articulation Information CSU Transferable UC Transferable Methods of Evaluation Reports Example: Students will be assigned to see two live musical theatre shows and be expected to write a paper comparing and contrasting one performance from each show. Students will be evaluated on ability to analyze strengths and weaknesses of performer(s) technique and approach toward acting within the songs. Was the style appropriate? Did movement, posture, gestures support character given your knowledge of the show? If not, why? If so, why? Was singing technique in appropriate style? Was it supported properly with tone and breath support? How did acting and singing support one another? Skill Demonstrations Example: For their final, students will be evaluated on duet performances via established rubric. Criteria will include: 1. Character and Research Understanding; 2. Volume and Diction; 3. Breathing and Tonality; 4. Movement and Presence; 5. Total effect of performance Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Activity Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Activity: Instructor will demonstrate ineffective approaches to taking stage, approaching accompanist, working with sheet music, and introducing audition song and character (slating). Students will be asked to identify what was ineffective and why and offer more effective suggestions toward each of those steps. Instructor will then hand out industry standard audition approaches when auditioning for a musical and students will each practice the appropriate steps in front of the class for peer and instructor feedback. Lecture: Instructor will present video examples of two separate performers doing the same song from the same Broadway musical. Instructor will prompt students given recent lectures on effective means of creating character choices using appropriate technique and style within a song as opposed to singing concert style. Students will be asked to write 3 examples of effective acting demonstrated in one video example and 3 aspects identified in the other sample that could use improvement and why. What would they do differently to improve? This written exercise will be followed by a class discussion on what they identified, wrote down and why. Distance Learning After selecting a solo from a musical of their choosing, students will acquire the sheet music and the libretto from the entire show. Instructor will provide a worksheet sample of identifying acting objectives, tactics, and obstacles and demonstrate how to complete the worksheet. After completing the worksheet for their character applying script analysis techniques, they will break out into chat rooms and share their work with a partner. The instructor will then lead a classroom discussion where students share out discoveries, challenges, and successes with this assignment. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. In Acting the Song, read over section on Singing terminology and come prepared to discuss your vocal range, character type and bring two examples of songs from Broadway musicals that support those choices for discussion. 2. Read unit on "theatricality" in Acting in Musical Theatre and come prepared to discuss differences between singing a song and acting a song onstage with particular emphasis on expression. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Performance: Students will work with instructor to select a solo from a Broadway style musical. Student will need to do show research and character work, as well as acquire sheet music and accompaniment of song to rehearse outside of class. Student will have opportunities in class to work song for feedback and will perform for midterm grade memorized and well-rehearsed incorporating instructor and class feedback suggestions when appropriate. 2. Writing: Students will be assigned to write journal entries on setting goals, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and observing the growth of both their own individual performances and that of their classmates. Students will receive prompt questions and be asked to use learned terminology and applications from class in their journals. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Required Materials Acting in Musical Theatre: A Comprehensive Course Author: Joe Deer and Rocco Dal Vera Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: 3rd Classic Textbook?: No OER Link: OER: Acting the Song Author: Tracey Moore and Allison Bergman Publisher: Allworth Press Publication Date: 2016 Text Edition: 2nd Classic Textbook?: No OER Link: OER: Mastering College Musical Theatre Auditions Author: David Sisco and Laura Josepher Publisher: Contemporary Musical Theatre Corp. Publication Date: 2017 Text Edition: 1st Classic Textbook?: No OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

The Theatre Arts Department offers training, both theoretical and practical, in theatrical production, including performance, technical and business management aspects, as well as the serious study of the development of those aspects from the early Greeks up to the bright lights of Broadway. We believe that the creativity, the personal interaction and the excitement of participating in a performance are highly valuable experiences for any individual. The heightened awareness of beauty and truth are carried on into the later life of the student to perhaps enable him or her to appreciate more fully what is available.