This module will give you a solid foundation of training across a range of skills within the musical theatre discipline. You will engage in ensemble singing, music theory, acting technique, physical theatre, modern ballet and jazz dance. Within these skills classes, you will be pushed to challenge your creative boundaries both individually and in ensemble work. The classes will reflect industry practice and will involve intensive rehearsal as you gain an understanding of the potential of your body and voice as performance tools. The module will follow a workshop-based approach, emphasising ‘learning through doing’. Therefore, you will need to demonstrate discipline and commitment as part of your process and development. You will be expected to respond to stimuli such as image, scores, librettos, music, object or scenario and this will culminate in a showcase performance to a public audience.
View the full module definitionThis module will help you refine and consolidate the technical skills you learned in the previous module and further develop your capacity to perform as a triple-threat performer in musical theatre. You will develop your physicality, your technical competency in dance, practice diverse solo and ensemble singing techniques and develop your acting in more demanding and complex scenarios. You will gain practical skills for contemporary dance, develop a repertoire in solo singing and also be introduced to a professional context of audition preparation and techniques.
View the full module definitionThis module will introduce you to the key creative and theoretical elements of contemporary musical theatre practice, culminating in a public live performance. Through a series of rehearsals, including ensemble singing and one to one vocal coaching, acting and directed script work, you will develop analytical and experimental strategies that you will utilise in your creative and theoretical practice. You will develop discipline, learn rehearsal etiquette and self-awareness in order to cultivate an environment of trust and professionalism. Your rehearsal process will involve auditions and active participation in the interpreting and staging of your script and score, which will require you to engage with the dramatic practices that are relevant to the selected work. You will contribute to the numerous staging ideas that the production will need, and work positively towards creative solutions with your peers and director.
View the full module definitionEntering higher education is exciting; but it can also be a daunting experience. At ARU, we want all our students to make the most of the opportunities higher education provides, reach your potential, become lifelong learners and find fulfilling careers. However, we appreciate that the shift from secondary education, or a return to formal education is, in itself, quite a journey. This module is designed to ease that transition. You'll be enrolled on it as soon as you receive an offer from ARU so you can begin to learn about university life before your course starts. Through Into ARU, you'll explore a virtual land modelled around ARU values: Courage, Innovation, Community, Integrity, Responsibility, and Ambition. This innovative module is designed as a game, where you collect knowledge and complete mini tasks. You'll proceed at your own pace, though we you to have completed your Into ARU exploration by week 6. If for any reason you're unable to complete by that date, we'll signpost to existing services so that we can be confident that you are supported.
View the full module definitionIn this module you will perform in, design and produce a large-scale public performance based on a selected musical theatre piece. You must show a willingness to participate in all aspects of work on the production. Similarly, you will be expected to follow and put into practice the input of the director and musical director as appropriate to the production and rehearsals. The module will develop your practice and challenge you creatively through the demands and rigour of rehearsing a full-scale book musical. You will be expected to demonstrate professionalism, discipline and a methodical approach to developing your rehearsal and performance skills. The selection of material for this production module is determined by the range, skills and dynamics of each student year group. You will be assigned a performance role and engage with an in-depth study and practical work on script, score and choreography according to the style and aesthetics of the selected piece. As a collaborative production module, you are required to maintain professional conduct; measurements of such conduct will include reliable attendance, punctual arrival at rehearsals, high levels of concentration within sessions and a willingness to take direction from others.
View the full module definitionRuskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
This module combines theory and practice by introducing you to a range of concepts, genres and performance practitioners, which then help your development of more specialist skills in musical theatre performance. You will study notable composers, lyricists, book writers and choreographers, gaining a working knowledge and understanding of the contexts and precedents within musical theatre performance. You will be encouraged to think critically, discussing and presenting arguments in class. You will then put this theory into practice, working on specialised skills in performance, as derived from your study in the first part of the module. You will show advances in your technique and skills acquirement appropriate to level 5 work. The module will culminate in a mid-semester assessment period, whereby you will be required to demonstrate your new performance practices to tutors in a showcase format.
View the full module definitionIn this module you will continue developing the skills essential to becoming a triple-threat performer. Classes will include technical training in jazz & ballet, textual studies and character work in acting, and duets, trios and quartets in singing. You will focus on honing your technique and becoming adept at working on the finite detail of each skill discipline.
This module enhances your skills in choreography, as well as in leading and directing theatrical projects and performances. You will engage with different directorial and creative leadership approaches through workshops, seminar discussions and practical experimentation. Skills in directing and leadership will be developed with reference to different forms of text and performance. These will be used as the basis to explore a range of directorial approaches and to demonstrate the ways in which appropriate strategies may be tailored to the demands of various rehearsal methodologies. In addition, you will practically explore the planning and leading of workshops and rehearsals within a small group. From choreographing intricate dance sequences to directing ensemble stage movements, this course offers the essential tools to bring your creative vision to life. Whether you aim to become a choreographer or a movement director, this subject will empower you to transform ideas into compelling, expressive motion. You will show professionalism and discipline throughout this module, qualities that are especially important when working in collaboration with others in a leadership role.
View the full module definitionThis module is designed to accommodate specialist training under professional supervision in a defined area of live or recorded production. The type of work undertaken will be driven by the staffing requirements of a particular theatre or studio placement. Indicative areas of work may include developing technical skills in lighting, sound, video/audio or other specialist software, set and props design, stage/production management, costume, hair/make-up, company management or marketing. You'll work under the supervision of professional staff to understand the demands of each role and to gain practical skills specific to your defined aspect of theatre production. This is a module dependent on experiential learning and you must demonstrate a professional attitude to co-operation with the theatre staff under whose supervision you will work. You will be expected to be flexible in adapting to the jobs assigned to you and be willing to work during the particular hours that may be necessary in your role. Your hours will increase during production weeks as they do in the theatre industry. You must demonstrate your professionalism as a responsible, reliable and competent member of the production team at this time.
View the full module definitionIn this module you’ll develop the preparatory skills in readiness for auditioning professionally. You will learn techniques for presenting and auditioning to industry specialists including casting directors, musical directors, agents, and other professionals. Weekly classes will include how to approach tackling suitable material in readiness for hypothetical job scenarios and creating a portfolio of work in preparation for your final audition at the end of the module.
View the full module definitionThis module will encourage you to examine and explore the processes involved in teaching and leading participatory workshops in the performing arts. You will gain practical experience and skills in leading and facilitating workshops as practising professionals, which can be delivered in educational, professional and/or community contexts. The module will equip you with theoretical and methodological knowledge relevant to a workshop leader, enabling you to practice and develop confidence in delivering effective and well-prepared sessions. You will be expected to reflect on the responsibilities and practices of leadership in creative contexts and develop enhanced skills for future employability. You will develop skills in independent learning, research and communication of process and product throughout the module. Your assessment will involve facilitating a live workshop with an appropriate group and a critical evaluation that appraises your practice.
View the full module definitionThe Creative Industries Major Project module will allow you to engage in a substantial piece of individual research and creative/technological work, focused on a topic of your choice that is relevant to your degree course. Your topic will be assessed for suitability to ensure sufficient academic challenge and satisfactory supervision by an academic member of staff. Your project can be a dissertation or an agreed combination of solo or group creative/technological practice and an individually authored piece of writing. In trimester 1 you'll have a series of lectures to prepare you for this level of research, help you to develop of an appropriate methodology, and to decide upon the shape of your project. Your supervisor will then meet with you to formalise your negotiated assessment outcomes, agreeing and documenting any % split between writing and creative practice. In trimester 2, regular meetings with your supervisor will take place, so that the project is closely monitored and steered in the right direction. The project developed in this module is the most self-directed piece of work that you will produce during your undergraduate studies. The successful completion of this module will enhance your employability, evidencing your ability, appropriate skillset and specialist interests.
View the full module definitionThis module encourages you to develop key skills involved in leading and directing theatrical projects and performance. You will engage with different directorial and creative leadership approaches through workshops, seminar discussion and practical experimentation. Skills in directing and leadership will be developed with reference to different forms of text. These will be used as the basis to explore a range of directorial approaches and to demonstrate the ways in which appropriate strategies may be tailored to the demands of various rehearsal methodologies. In addition, you will practically explore the planning and leading of workshops and rehearsals within a small group, and consider the management of production processes. As part of your directorial development, you will shadow a tutor or professional practitioner in their direction of a production module at levels 4, 5 or 6. A set number of hours will be negotiated for this work, and you will need to be prepared to attend show rehearsals during their own timetabled hours. You may also volunteer as an assistant director for a suitable module, where supervision can be offered. You will also run audition sessions, with reflection on this process included in your portfolio. You will show professionalism and discipline throughout this module, qualities that are especially important when working in collaboration with other students in a leadership role.
View the full module definitionOn this module we will explore choreographic practices used in contemporary and classical musical theatre pieces, focusing on the differing styles of the 20th and 21st century. It is taught through a weekly workshop where you will engage with practices and exercises for creating original movement work that can be applied to a production piece. To aid your work in choreography, you will shadow the choreographer in one of the musical theatre course productions, working towards the creation of one of their dance routines and learning to teach the choreographic material to an ensemble cast. You must be organised and disciplined in your shadowing role and arrive at workshops ready to develop movement ideas during class time. The workshops will be based on improvisation and movement research, in order to creative suitable movement material for the dance acts of the performance production.
View the full module definitionIn this module you'll focus, in a masterclass setting, on advanced use of acting through song. Working on honing your craft as solo singers, you will work on scenarios, objectives, tactics, and stakes and how these relate to a staged singing performance. We will apply the theories of the modern actor training, which may include Stanislavsky, Brecht and Adler, and discuss how these techniques can be utilised for producing a comprehensive and methodical realisation of performance through singing. We'll work on developing your ability to take risks and push your performance towards a professional standard to meet expectations in the industry, with a focus on both text work and musicality. With assistance from your Director, you'll study a variety of repertoire throughout this module and discuss what makes powerful storytelling when the combination of drama and music come together as a means of expression.
View the full module definitionOn this module you will prepare, rehearse, and record a three-minute vocal reel which will act as a tool for employment post-education. This vocal reel will be recorded on site in ARU’s recording studio and be ready for Spotlight or other platforms. By working with a professional musical director, you will work on your rep-folder, choosing the most appropriate songs for your voice and casting. Then you will work on cutting your selected songs down to create a reel of three or more songs within 3 minutes. A professional standard piano backing track will be created for you, ready to work on rehearsing your performance. We will discuss recording techniques and general vocal health, and then record your reel. The nature of this module is that it is aligned with the industry and gives you a head start in making yourself employable.
View the full module definitionDance Collaboration explores dance theatre, choreographed theatre, abstract physical pieces and performance within a context of collaboration with other disciplines, and considering the principal features and aesthetics of 20th and 21st Century performances. The module focuses on key practitioners and companies, including Pina Bausch, Anne Theresa de Keersmaeker, Wim Vandekeybus, performance pieces by Complicité and techniques used by Frantic Assembly. The weekly workshop will engage with practice and exercises for creating original performance work in collaboration with other disciplines such as music, film and TV production. Your performance methods may include movement improvisation, gestural and pedestrian investigation, and physical contact between two or more bodies. You will read and discuss some of the main writings in this field and bring a critical approach to class discussions. At the same time, such key texts will act as the inspiration for the exercises and practical research explored in the module. Appropriate techniques of portraying movement on camera and/or movement and music composition will be researched during the workshops. It will be important to foster self-critical skills in order to develop your piece to the highest standards and sophistication.
View the full module definitionThis module will encourage you to examine and explore teaching and leading participatory workshops in drama and the performing arts. You'll gain practical experience and skills that can be applied as a practicing professional in educational, professional and community contexts. The module will also equip you with theoretical and methodological knowledge relevant to a workshop leader and enable you to practice and develop confidence in delivering effective and well-prepared sessions. Topic areas may include philosophies of education, the sociological and psychological elements of arts pedagogy and the variety of contexts for drama and performing arts workshop education. You'll be expected to reflect on the responsibilities of leadership in creative contexts and develop enhanced skills for future employability. You'll develop skills in independent learning, research and communication of process and product throughout the module. Your assessment will comprise live workshop facilitation, in which you'll lead aspects of a prepared workshop (approximately 15 minutes) and a 1,000-word critical refection that evaluates and contextualises your workshop facilitation. As part of the module, you might be invited to identify a work placement as a workshop facilitator. This can be undertaken either in ‘sandwich’ mode during the semester or in a ‘block’ during the Easter vacation. The nature of your involvement in the placement should contribute to your ongoing reflection as well as your final, assessed workshop facilitation.
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