Course overview
Ballet: Further development in postural alignment, strength, flexibility, coordination and musicality incorporating barre work and centre work continue. Pas de deux will continue to be incorporated into this class.
Jazz: Core engagement and proper alignment continue to be a focus. This class will incorporate stretching techniques, turning, isolation and complementary movement as well as the interpretation of various historic and contemporary dance pieces.
Tap: Students continue work on coordination, rhythmic variations, and performance skills through a series of tap combinations and exercises. This class includes the breaking down of various steps as well as teaching tap vernacular. Rhythm and counting are also covered.
Voice/Movement: This class will focus on consolidating and extending the foundations from which the student actor can integrate a released and open sound, and then connect that sound to voice, speech and song. Students will work within class and independently to develop skills that invite:
- an authentic body/voice connection,
- a critical understanding of language and text
- an integration of acting into song.
Acting: This course is designed to extend the students awareness of the performing self. Building on foundational acting and voice skills begun in Semester 1, the focus will now be on translating and applying these skills to the written text. Students will be given a variety of strategies for approaching written texts, beginning with a fundamental understanding of text analysis: how a text may be mined for relevant information; how this information can be ordered and translated into rehearsal strategies; how it may ultimately be utilised in performance.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of technical elements and physical characteristics of Jazz, Ballet and Tap dance styles
- Exhibit increased strength, flexibility, stamina and coordination in the body
- Combine technical accuracy with professional-level performance quality
- Identify idiosyncratic, habituated physical and vocal patterns and establish an understanding of vocal physiology and its application to performance
- Understand the fundamental historical context of ancient Greek theatre
- Sustain direct Second Circle story telling with clarity and momentum
- Develop and understand a comprehensive approach to text memorisation through the lens of mVm's Text Transfusion
- Integrate mVm principles and philosophy of breath and speech in the act of performance
- Define the proper care of a performer's physical instrument, and apply safe techniques to explore the alignment, posture, stamina, flexibility and strength of your body in dance, acting and vocalisation