Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop techniques for bringing a comic dimension to characters and scenes in musical theatre productions.
At this level supervision and guidance are provided during practice sessions. However, individuals are expected to work independently on experimenting with ways to use the comic potential of characters in a range of musical theatre styles.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance Criteria Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Develop warm-up techniques | 1.1 In consultation with appropriate personnel, analyse aspects of the human voice, especially those relevant to performers 1.2 Analyse physical problems that can limit movement and physical expression, or cause injury 1.3 In consultation with appropriate personnel, discuss ways to avoid physical and vocal problems and strategies for addressing problems if they arise 1.4 Perform vocal and physical warm-up procedures in preparation for performance activities 1.5 Strengthen and expand vocal and physical technique through regular exercises |
2. Extend comic performance concepts | 2.1 Discuss the appeal of comedy and how comic performance techniques can enhance musical theatre performances 2.2 Experiment with using humour in the portrayal of characters from musicals in a range of musical theatre styles 2.3 Develop techniques for integrating comedy into songs and dance routines, and producing comic effects by speaking and singing in a range of accents 2.4 Develop techniques for exploring physicality of character through gesture, timing and action to enhance comedic effect 2.5 Experiment with ways of using comedy to engage with audiences 2.6 Experiment with improvisation, alone and with a partner, as a way of adding humour to characterisation 2.7 In a learning or rehearsal environment, perform solo and group routines that integrate dancing, singing and comic performance skills |
3. Maintain expertise | 3.1 Practise and refine comic performance techniques relevant to musical theatre 3.2 Maintain and update knowledge of musical theatre trends, stagecraft, and production protocols and procedures 3.3 Use feedback from others to improve own comic performance skills 3.4 Regularly view performances by industry practitioners as a way of sourcing new ideas, identifying trends, maintaining motivation, and improving own technique |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
develop comedy skills appropriate to musical theatre performances
do vocal warm-ups and warm-downs
apply comic performance skills to solo and group song and dance routines
work collaboratively
develop own voice in response to constructive feedback.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided for each of the above points at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements the individual must:
describe features of a range of musical theatre and comedy styles
explain the principles and characteristics of comic performance techniques as they relate to performing in musical theatre
explain principles underlying vocal techniques in a musical theatre performance context
explain the relationship that builds up between performers and audiences in the context of comic performances
explain how aspects of stagecraft relate to performers
describe production protocols and procedures relevant to musical theatre performances.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to venues and spaces with suitable flooring and equipment.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Learning | 1.1, 3.3, 3.4 | Seeks the views and opinions of others to develop own understanding and refine own techniques Observes industry practitioners, sources new ideas and identifies trends, and applies to own techniques |
Reading | 3.2 | Obtains information relevant to musical theatre from written sources |
Oral communication | 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.3 | Obtains information by listening and questioning Discusses ideas and solutions Uses tone of voice, vocabulary and other verbal and non-verbal strategies to convey comedy in speech and song |
Navigate the world of work | 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 | Develops relevant skills and knowledge Applies safe vocal and physical practice Takes responsibility for own professional development |
Interact with others | 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.6, 2.7, 3.3 | Uses a range of comic techniques to convey meaning of scripts and lyrics Works collaboratively on ways of using comic techniques to portray characters |
Get the work done | 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 3.1, 3.2 | Allows adequate time for vocal and physical warm-up procedures in advance of acting activities Implements ways to minimise the risk of problems related to inappropriate vocal use or physical movement Works creatively on developing techniques for adding humour to characterisation Experiments with a range of comedy techniques and styles relevant to performing in musical theatre productions Uses the internet as a source of information |
Sectors
Performing arts - acting