Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

DRAM 10 - Rehearsal and Performance in Production: Musical

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU/UC
Prerequisite
Audition required
Unit(s)
3.00
  • Activity: 102.00 Contact hours/51.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 102.00 Contact hours/51.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course provides instruction and supervised participation in musical theatre rehearsal and performance. This course may be repeated 3 times to meet the requirements of the AA-T in Theatre Arts.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a strong work ethic within a professional framework of collaboration.
  2. Create and dramatize the behavioral life of a character in rehearsal and performance of a musical.
  3. Evaluate and analyze a script for rehearsal and performance of a musical.
  4. Apply basic skills and methods to performing a role on stage.
  5. Use and maintain basic production elements such as props, costumes, and furniture to create the world of a chosen musical.
  6. Recognize and demonstrate their collaborative responsibilities with the director and designers in rehearsal and in performance of a musical.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture/Activity

Lecture/Activity topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec HrsAct Hrs
  1. Rehearsal and performance protocol and procedures
    1. The actor’s responsibilities
    2. The director’s responsibilities
    3. Production staff responsibilities
4.00
  1. Evaluation of the historical and thematic elements of the musical
    1. The author’s intentions
    2. The political, social, philosophical and moral agenda of the musical
    3. Interpretation and evaluation of the historical circumstances
4.00
  1. Actor’s script evaluation
    1. Scoring the role
    2. Exploration and creation of prior circumstances
    3. Creation of the time and place obligations for the script
    4. Identification and evaluation of character obligation
5.00
  1. Acting skill approaches
    1. Relationship work with the other actors
    2. Creation of the behavioral life of the character
    3. Preparations for investing in the emotional life of the role
    4. Outlining the needs and pursuits of the character
8.00
  1. Staging
    1. Working with the director
    2. Justifying physical action
    3. Creation of character behavior
    4. Use of props, costumes and scenery elements
25.00
  1. Rehearsal
    1. Use of given circumstances to justify dialog
    2. Use of voice with projection and clarity of speech
    3. Creative collaboration with other actors
35.00
  1. Integration of production elements with performance
    1. Props
    2. Scenery
    3. Lighting/sound
    4. Costumes
5.00
  1. Performance
    1. Justification of play’s action and dialog
    2. Vocal performance
    3. Dynamics of dialog and behavior
    4. Warm-ups and preparations
    5. Responsible collaboration and performance standards
16.00
Total Hours:0.00102.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Class Activities
  2. Collaborative Group Work
  3. Group Discussions
  4. Homework: Students are required to complete one hour of outside-of-class homework for every two hours of activity
  5. Instructor Demonstrations
  6. Reading Assignments
  7. Public performance

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Oral Presentation
  3. Journal
  4. Class participation
  5. Practical Evaluations
  6. Short papers
  7. Observation and critique of student performance and class exercises

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Read the script and musical score of current musical production and create a score of the physical actions. Be prepared to share your score in class.
  2. Read the libretto and listen to the Broadway Cast recording from which the student duet scene/song is taken. Be prepared to discuss in class.

Writing Assignments

  1. Write a minimum 2-page show and scene character analysis based on the outline provided by the instructor.
  2. Write a 2-page evaluation on the current production after its close, focusing on acting, movement, staging and choreography.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. View one dramatic theatre production and one musical theatre production on video. Be prepared to explain how the acting style differs between the two.
  2. Perform the selected musical in a public performance.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Michael Kostroff. (2022). The Stage Actor’s Handbook. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1st. 978-1538160435.

Other Learning Materials

Musical score and script (assigned by instructor); actor's journal

Minimum Qualifications

Drama/Theater Arts (Masters Required)