THEA 3660-001/002 Musical Theater Dance II Spring 2018

THEA 3660-001/002—Musical Theater Dance II Spring 2018

Department of Theatre

2 Credit Hours

Meeting Time and Location:

T- TH 9:40 – 10:30 am

Section I: FAW dance Studio

Section II: PAB 110

Instructor: Ellie Hanagarne section 001, Christine Moore section 002

Email:,

Office Hours by appointment

Pre-requisites

MTP MAJOR

Course Description

Musical Theater Dance II is the 2nd in a series of 4 classes designed to give student dancers exposure to the various choreographic styles they may encounter upon graduation. The chosen styles will give students a historical perspective of Musical Theater Choreography as well as a sampling of current styles. The students will study particular steps and styles of actual dances and have the opportunity to perform them.

Course Objectives

To give Dancers who Sing the opportunity to actually dance well known sequences of steps as well as an in depth discovery of likely step combinations. The students will learn to pick up different styles and steps quickly and become proficient at their execution.

Course Materials

Each student is expected to come to class ready to work hard and have a great attitude. Students are expected to participate in class regularly and be prepared for class work. This means having the appropriate footwear (jazz shoes, ballet and character) and dance attire (tight fitting dance clothes) in good condition; that shows the lines of the body. Hair must be securely fastened back and away from the neck. Please bring a small towel and water for the class, if needed.

• No chewing gum
• Tie loose hair back
• No cell phone use in class
• Water bottles only on the dance floor at barre
• Bring a notebook and writing utensil when observing class

Teaching and Learning Methods

The class will be taught by a combination of teaching and showing particular steps as well as guiding students as they learn about new choreographers and styles of movement.

Grading 28 classes

Attendance 2.5pts per class 70pts

1stEvaluation (Tommy Tune) 10pts

2nd Evaluation (Susan Stroman) 10pts

3rd Evaluation (Andy Blakenbuehler) 10pts

total points available 100

Evaluation Methods and Criteria

Student evaluation is based on

- Attendance 2.5pts. for each class with a possible total of 70pts.

- EvaluationsEach new piece of choreography being learned will be worth 10pts. for a total of 30pts. Learning each new piece of choreography will be a process, from learning about the choreographer to performing the piece. Each time a new choreographer is introduced the entire process of learning and performing the choreography will be based on the following criteria.

Preparation(2pts.) Have you/ are you prepared? (are you on time, do you maintain a visibly attentive posture, are you dressed appropriately, have you practiced outside of class)

Creativity(2pts.)Do you have questions and ideas backed up by consideration and research? (do you relate techniques and concepts from one combination to another and from week to week)

Direction(2pts.)Are you open to exploringdifferent thoughts? (Do you listen to each individual teacher and apply personal and group corrections, are you willing to move your body as instructed opposed to personal preference.)

Execution(2pts.)have you made progress and are you able to maintain in a presentation/performance what you were able find in rehearsal? (can you show artistry and confidence during presentations and performances while maintaining your technique)

Respect(2pts)Are you respectful to yourself, classmates and teachers. (do you try not to get frustrated when making a mistake or when you don’t understand, do you abstain from talking and distracting others, do you ask questions and apply corrections respectfully.

Students will succeed in this course if they have good attendance, if the exercises are completed to the best of their ability, and the student shows progress, initiative, enthusiasm, artistry, and a thorough knowledge/understanding of the concepts and terms involved in each lesson.

Grading Scale

Grades / Points / Explanation
A
A- / (95 or more points)
(90-94 points) / Excellent performance, superior achievement
B+
B
B- / (87-89 points)
(84-86 points)
(80-83 points) / Good performance, substantial achievement
C+
C
C- / (77-79 points)
(74-76 points)
(70-73 points) / Standard performance and achievement
D+
D
D- / (67-69 points)
(64-66 points)
(60-63 points) / Substandard performance, marginal achievement
E / (0.0 points) / Unsatisfactory performance and achievement
EU / (0.0 points) / Unofficial withdrawal
CR/NC / Credit, no credit
I / Incomplete
V / Audit
T / Thesis or independent work in progress
W / Official Withdrawal

DAILY RUNDOWN

WEEK 1 January 9th & 11th Welcome to Class; Discussion of Syllabus-Fosse prep.

January 12thDEM LAB PRESENTATION Fosse/Rich Man’s Frug

WEEK 2 January 16th& 18th 16thTommy Tune presentation/18th Dance TBD

WEEK 3 January 23rd & 25thTommy Tune TBD

WEEK 4 Jan/Feb30th& 1stTommy TuneTBD

February 2nd or FEB 16th DEM LAB PRESENTATION Tommy Tune/

WEEK 5 February 6th & 8th Susan Stroman presentation/Stroman Dance TBD

WEEK 6February 13th& 15thSusan Stroman TBD

WEEK 7 February 20th22ndSusan Stroman TBD

WEEK 8 Feb/Mar 27th & 1st Susan StromanTBD

WEEK 9 March 6th& 8th Susan Stroman TBD

March 9thDEM LAB PRESENTATION STROMAN

WEEK 10 March 13 & 15th Andy Blakenbuehler presentation/Andy BB Dance TBD

WEEK 11 March 27th29thAndy BB TBD

WEEK 12 April3rd & 5thAndy BB TBD

WEEK 13April 10th &12thAndy BB TBD

WEEK 14 April 17th & 19th Andy BB TBD

April 20thDEM LAB PRESENTATION Andy BB

WEEK 15 April 24th Teacher/Student Meetings

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be graded on the number of classes you attend 2.5pts for each class.

1 late arrivals/leaving early from class is excused, each additional late arrivals/leaving early will equal-1pt.

1 observation days is excused, each additional observation day will equal-1pt

1 day of doctor’s notes are excused

For details relating to extenuating circumstances see sections titled Injury and Illness as well Rules for Extenuating Circumstances.

• Students who have been approved to be in the cast or crew of an outside production are allowed to make up the days missed during a conflicting show/performance time by writing a paper or presenting a project based upon the number of classes missed.

Injury and Illness Policy

The health and well-being of our students is of great concern to the Department Faculty. We encourage healthy lifestyle choices and are anxious to support the recommendations of medical professionals. When a student seeks medical treatment for an injury or illness that affects her/his performance in class, the student must inform the instructor(s) and Dance Division Head by e-mail and/or in person of the nature of the injury/illness and the Doctor recommended treatment protocol as soon as possible. The sole purpose for this notice from the student is to prevent an instructor from inadvertently asking a student to do something the student’s medical professional has advised against. While instructors take every precaution to avoid student injuries in class or in performance, injuries do occur and require immediate attention. Please inform your instructor immediately if you are injured during a class so that required paperwork may be completed and the student referred to the appropriate care facility.

A qualified physician should examine any injuries as soon as possible after they occur. Some injuries may require ambulance transport to the hospital. The faculty and/or staff will determine if 911 needs to be called. With the student’s permission, a Department representative will call the designated family or friends as listed on the student information sheet. If you suffer an injury outside of class, please seek treatment promptly and inform your instructors.

If illness and/or injury limits the student’s ability to participate in class, rehearsal or performance, the student will ask their doctor to provide a medical diagnosis and a brief outline of the plan for recuperation and recommendations, if any, for limited activity in classes and rehearsals. The student will then send a request/petition to the teacher with the Doctor’s recommendations attached so that it may be reviewed by the Dance Division Head and the necessary accommodations provided. Under no circumstance does the Department condone a student dancing or performing against medical advice, or taking medication to mask pain in order to dance or perform against medical advice. Doing so can lead to more serious injury and places the student’s future career at risk.

1.Short term illness/injury –any injury or illness that prevents a student from full participation in class for less than or equal to 4 days (2 weeks) of class.

If a student is ill or injured for 4 classes (2 weeks) or less and cannot participate, yet is able to attend class, the student may observe that class for partial credit (1/2point for each day observed during the 2 week period. In all instances the student must inform the Instructor prior to the beginning of class of their inability to fully participate that day. If a student has an illness that is contagious (i.e. cold, flu, etc.) the student is asked to stay home.

If a student is ill or injured for 4 classes (2 weeks) or less and cannot attend the student will be asked to write a paper on a class related topic of the teachers choice for partial credit. 1 page typed, double spaced, font 12, paper for each day missed will be worth 1 point and will be due by the last day of classes.

2. Long term illness/injury - Any injury or illness that prevents a student from full participation in class for more than 2 weeks and up to 5 weeks.

If a student is ill or injured for more than 2 weeks and less than 5 weeks, yet is able to attend class, the student may observe that class for partial credit (1 point for each day observed during the illness or injury). The student will then need to write a paper on a class related topic or complete a project of the teacher choice to make up the remaining points missed. This choice should be discussed between both the student and the teacher. If choosing the paper 1 page typed, double spaced, front 12, for each day missed or observed will be worth1 point and due by the last day of classes. If choosing the project, a presentation to the class or department will be required by the end of the semester.

If a student is ill or injured for more than 2 weeks and less than 5 weeks and cannot attend the student will be asked to complete a project of the teacher’s choice in which a presentation to the class or the department will be required. The projects effort should equally reflect the amount of time missed from class and should be presented by the end of the semester.

If a student sustains a long term illness/injury it may be deemed appropriate by the faculty for that student to move down a level in order to more easily accommodate the recovery process. It’s very important to come back slowly from an injury/illness, and the student shouldn’t rush the process. A lower level may allow the student the time and the pace needed to slowly and carefully work back up to his/her previous strength and stamina without immediately injuring oneself again. If it is determined that it would be in the student’s best interest to move down in order to more successfully recover the faculty will then observe the student’s progress and an appropriate timeline will be determined for when that student can safely and successfully return to their previous level.

3.Extensive illness/injury– Any injury or illness that prevents a student from full participation in class for more than 5 weeks.

If a student is ill or injured for more than 5 weeks the student may try the following through the registrar’s office.

• No Credit-possible refund
• Late withdrawal-doesn’t affect your GPA
• Medical Withdrawal- If the student is unable to fully participate in at least 50% of a class, the student may petition for a medical withdrawal from the class based on a “compelling, non-academic emergency.” Reg. 4-100 (III)(G)(5). The student must complete a Petition for Consideration of Exception to the Withdrawal Policy form, which is on the Registrar’s website: This Petition, together with letters from the student and from the Department Chair and documentation from the student’s doctor must be submitted to the College of Fine Arts Dean’s Office by the last day of classes for the term. The university withdrawal policy may be found at: Any student who is withdrawing for medical reasons may also wish to petition Income Accounting for reimbursement of tuition. The student may discuss this option with Liz Leckie, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the College of Fine Arts. In the event of a Reduction of Credit and/or Medical Withdrawal, the student must consult with the Department Advisors and the Chair to develop a course of action to earn the missing credits. The Academic Advisors will also add the plan to the student’s electronic advising profile. Supplemental Credit Guidelines: Students often take the opportunity to register for summer classes for missing Department technique credits. An approved Student

Request would then be forwarded to the College Academic Advisors who can make the approved adjustments in the DARS.

• If the student does none of the above the student will fail the class and will be required to take it again in order to complete the universities graduation requirements

If a student sustains an extensive illness/injury it may be deemed appropriate by the faculty for that student to move down a level in order to more easily accommodate the recovery process. It’s very important to come back slowly from an injury/illness, and the student shouldn’t rush the process. A lower level may allow the student time and the pace needed to slowly and carefully work back up to his/her previous strength and stamina without immediately injuring oneself again. If it is determined that it would be in the student’s best interest to move down in order to more successfully recover the faculty will then observe the student’s progress and an appropriate timeline will be created for when that student can safely and successfully return to their previous level.

Rules for Extenuating Circumstances

It is required that you request in writing to the Dance Division Head when an extenuating circumstances occur in advance when possible or within two weeks after the incident or by the last day of classes, whichever is first. The student will then be informed in writing of the Program Head/teachers decision. The student must then show any approved requests to all instructors involved (in the case of an excused absence for an illness, for example). Examples of possible situations requiring a Student request include:

• 1. A request to be excused from classes for a planned event: These requests must be submitted to the Program Head and approved in advance of the event. Retroactive requests will not be granted. Examples of credible events that might be excused are: professional auditions, performing, choreographing, or fulfilling other dance related opportunities outside of the Department requiring you to be absent from your classes. As a guideline, these requests are usually only for one or two days per semester.

• 2. A request to be excused from classes for situations not pre-planned (including but not limited to an injury or severe illness that are not prolonged): These requests must be submitted to the Program Head in a timely fashion after the incident and must include an official doctor’s note detailing the injury or illness or other similar official verification of rationale for an exception (An example might be a death in the family, car accident or another catastrophic personal event).

ADA Statement(

The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Union Building, 801-581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. All information in this course can be made available in alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services.

Faculty and Student Responsibilities(

All students are expected to maintain professional behavior in the classroom setting, according to the Student Code, spelled out in the Student Handbook. Students have specific rights in the classroom as detailed in Article III of the Code. The Code also specifies proscribed conduct (Article XI) that involves cheating on tests, plagiarism, and/or collusion, as well as fraud, theft, etc. Students should read the Code carefully and know they are responsible for the content. According to Faculty Rules and Regulations, it is the faculty responsibility to enforce responsible classroom behaviors, and I will do so, beginning with verbal warnings and progressing to dismissal from and class and a failing grade. Students have the right to appeal such action to the Student Behavior Committee. Faculty …must strive in the classroom to maintain a climate conducive to thinking and learning. (PPM 6-316). Students have a right to support and assistance from the University in maintaining a climate conducive to thinking and learning. )PPM6-400)