Teaching
Practical work is underpinned by theory at every opportunity with the majority of teaching and learning being workshop and studio-based. Practical technique in dance (to include classical ballet, contemporary dance, classical jazz, commercial dance and musical theatre genres), singing and acting are taught in regular daily sessions throughout the week in order to sustain the ‘training’ element of the practical work. This commitment to physical training is an essential feature of the course to ensure students can sustain the standards of practical work required at the professional level of performance (and remain healthy and avoid injury). These classes are accompanied by additional sessions in body and voice maintenance, personal physical support for rehabilitation and self-study sessions enabling students to focus on key areas of individual development, in order to personally develop their understanding of how to maintain good health during a physically demanding training and career.
Practical performance studies taught throughout the three years of study becomes increasingly sophisticated and challenging through the study of repertoire from major shows both past and current of which excerpts and professional productions are staged and performed publicly. Students become confident and proficient in a wide variety of performance work as they are required to take part in a variety of workshop and cast rehearsal activity sessions in preparation for each performance and this involves both directed and self-directed study in small groups, full cast and company classes and independent rehearsal. Major directors, choreographers and producers from the professional world are involved in staging performance works at Millennium Performing Arts, and thus students are constantly linked to the profession and its chief protagonists. This is supported by a contextual understanding so that students not only know the ‘what’ of their performance work but also understand the ‘why’. Creativity is promoted through additional student-led performances where students are entirely responsible for realising their own pieces both for in-house and public performances.
Both Millennium Performing Arts and the ºüÀêÊÓƵ of Worcester encourage an emphasis on enabling students to develop independent learning capabilities that will equip them for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. This is promoted through a mixture of independent study, teaching and academic guidance from internal Student Study Support Officers and Personal Academic Tutors and Mentors enabling students to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help them to flourish and be successful.
Delivered through seminars and lectures, there is a regular reinforcement of the importance of reflective practice, production techniques, self-management and other skills in preparation for work such as audition formats, professional practice, working with theatrical agencies, administrating income tax and Equity membership. An understanding of arts practice in general with exploration of philosophical views from performers and creators is also included to enhance the depth of expression and interpretation in performance. This part of the course delivery is facilitated largely through the Virtual Learning Environment making access to resources, advanced reading material and reference sources readily available for students. The components here also require a considerable amount of private study and autonomous learning. This element of the curriculum enables graduates to become totally equipped with the professional skills and knowledge to manage their own careers and promote themselves effectively.
In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors and Mentors, as well as with Head of Department and Head of Year sessions, are scheduled at least twice per semester in order to direct and support any additional requirements for each student and enable development of individual professional practice as students begin to understand the wider professional sector within Musical Theatre and performance.