THEA 2651—MTP Core Dance Lower Division/Spring 2018

Department of Theatre/2 Credit Hours

Meeting Time: Mon, Wed, Fri 9:10 -10:30am

Tues, Thur 8:05-9:25

Meeting Days: Monday – Friday

Location: PAB 115 & Kingsbury Hall

Instructor: Christine Watkins, Ellie Hanagarne, Charlotte Kelley, Denny Berry

Email:,

Phone: Ellie Hanagarne 617-875-3146

Office Hours: By Appointment

Office: PMT 201

Pre-requisites

Admission to Musical Theatre Program Emphasis OR Instructor Consent.

Placement

Placement in the core dance levels (26,36,46) is at the discretion of the faculty.Each student will be placed based on his or her own unique technical ability. Placement is done to enhance the progress and ensure the safety of each dancer. Level placement will occur at the beginning of each semester. Level placement has NO effect on a student's grade.

Course Fee Description

$13.25

-to pay for music

-maintain equipment (floors, barres, sound systems)

Course Description

(Currently being revised)

Basic Classical Ballet Class. This course, offered in the Springsemester to the beginning (Singers who Dance) MTP students, is designed to build core strength, balance, center, co-ordination and flexibility in order to create well-rounded, strong dancers in a musical theater vocabulary. Through daily exercises, all MTP Singers who Dance practice a logical progression of dance exercises based on Classical Ballet technique, moving from Barre work to center practice, to build their understanding of physical center alignment, addressing their ability to move away form and back to their center and work on muscle strength and flexibility. This will teach them to walk, turn and jump. Students may take this course up to three times.

Course Objectives

This course in designed to build core strength, alignment, coordination, flexibility and musicality, in order to create well-rounded, strong dancers in a musical theater vocabulary. Through daily exercises, all MTP students will practice a logical progression of dance exercises based on Classical techniques, moving from barre work to center practice in order to improve their understanding in the following areas.

1) Control/ Core Strength - use the core of the body to complete complex movements and shifts of weight whilemaintaining proper

alignment

- execute many types of turns

2) Alignment - can execute various levels of movement away from the core and back while consistently keeping correct anatomical

alignment

3) Coordination - clear and precise coordination between upper and lower body

- clear execution of several different petite jumps in a sequence

4) Flexibility - stretch tight muscles to gain ample range of motion (splits)

-understand the concept of line and be able to put his/her body into basic lines in all planes withease

5) Musicality/ Sequencing - able to remember and execute complex sequences of movements to the music

- have clear understanding of the subdivision of time as relate to movement

- have an excellent understanding of the movement terminology commonly used in professional auditions

- learn a basic understanding of the movement terminology commonly used in class

Course Materials and Attire

Students are expected to wear appropriate dance attire with appropriate shoes.

Ballet tights and/or sweat warm-ups are acceptable as well as leotards, work out shirts, tank tops and fitted shirts. Ballet, jazz, or dance sneakers are the preferred choices in foot wear.

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

Teaching and Learning Methods

Studio Class. Each exercise will be demonstrated and explained and the student will be expected to repeat the combinations as shown and to work daily on the explained objectives. The student will be expected to perform the steps from memory after the demonstration. Many of the exercises will be repeated daily for strength and physical understanding. The class will be conducted to Music.

Evaluation Methods and Criteria

Student evaluation is based on

- Attendance 1pt. for each class with a possible total of 70pts.

- Teacher Evaluations Once a semester each teacher (during one of the two week teaching periods) will grade each student based the following evaluation methods; Preparation, Creativity, Direction, Execution and Respect. 10pts possible by each teacher for a total of 30pts.

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.

GRADING

100 points are possible (70pts for attendance and 30pts for teacher evaluations)

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

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be graded on the number of classes you attend 1pt for each class.

3 late arrivals/leaving early from class are excused, each additional late arrivals/leaving early will equal 1/2 of 1pt.

3 observation days are excused, each additional observation day will equal 1/2 of 1pt

3 days 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 in the cast or crew of an MTP/ATP or PIONEER production are excused from core dance class during “tech week”. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor as well as the Dance Division Head of the dates of “tech week.” That student will then be excused for class only on the mornings following a late night tech rehearsal. Extra Credit will be given to those who have been cast in a show and still attend their core dance class. 1pt will be given for each extra day you attend class during a tech week.
  • 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 bye-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 10 days (2 weeks) of class.

If a student is ill or injured for 10 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 10 day 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 10 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. ½ of apage typed,double spaced, font 12, paper for each day missed will be worth ½ of a 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 (1/2 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 choiceto make up the remaining points missed. This choice should be discussed between both the student and the teacher. If choosing the paper ½ of a page typed, double spaced, front 12, for each day missed or observed will be worth ½ of a 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 classesfor 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 tothe 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).

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course the student should show significant progress in the areas of…

  • core strength
  • alignment
  • coordination
  • flexibility
  • musicality

Schedule of topic and due datesCombinations and exercises are customized to focus on the specific needs of each and every class. Students will be notified in advance when the evaluations will take place. If a paper or project is approved by the faculty the topics and due dates will be assigned at their discretion.