BA (Hons) — 2024 entry Actor-Musician

The Actor & The Text encourages students to explore different ways of storytelling and is the start of study for acting on the Actor-Musician course at GSA. In the first teaching block you will be working as an ensemble students looking at Storytelling. Exploring how myth and fable have shaped our collective global cultures. Students are encouraged to form the link between the oral tradition of storytelling to a more formalised theatrical form in the study of Classical Ensemble text, interogating how storytelling becomes and became formailised. These two study units encourage reflection and recording of process alongside practice skill.  The second teaching block moves on to Commedia and the concepts of character and comedy inherent in those texts and then utilising music and song in a Music Hall & Vaudeville where key skills of musicianship are core to the project and performance delivery. The third teaching block looks in depth at the work of Modern Ensemble where music, storytelling, character and performance are integrated to create a performance of work that is shown to others either live or via zoom. Alongside this students will deliver a reflective journal detailing personal reflection and research on each of the projects studied across the year. At all times text should reflect the global perspectives of our creative community. 

This module aims to develop the skill base of the Actor-Musician in Dance and Movement. Across Level 4, students will study practical skills in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Movement practices. This unit serves as an introduction to dance and movement technique, with study of dance, and other movement based practice, integrated into the module. The studies will be drawn from the creation and development of diverse range of renowned practitioners. Students will explore the application and integration of core technique and the integration of dance and movement to the work of the Actor/Musician. Movement covers posture and alignment, and the relationship of the actor to the space, and the use of the body within the space, and the instrument as “object” and then as part and extension of the performers own body.

This module will provide students with a sound knowledge and understanding of fundamental technique and the skills essential to singing and the delivery of text both sung and spoken in theatre. A range of classes will cover the practical and anatomical aspects of singing and voice, giving students all the necessary tools required to begin the process toward a true understanding and ownership of their own voice and its place within the practice of the actor/musician. Materials and content will be reflective of the continually developing global perspective within the theatre and music industry, with an understanding and awareness of its history and context. Teaching delivery will be accessible for all students.

The module introduces students to key concepts of using music in a theatrical context. Throughout the module attention is paid to ensuring a balance of existing musical skill is stretched and explored as well as introducing new theory and new ways of approaching music and instruments in a performance context.

Acting and Rehearsal explores the role of the Actor-Musician in a range of texts – all of which utilise an integration of acting and musical skill. In the first term students work on Classical Text (normally text written before 1800). Students are encouraged to explore the history and unique challenge that playing classical text has for an actor. The second term divides between two projects the first a 20th or 21st Century Text – which builds on skills explored and learned in Unit One,  but applies them to language that is perhaps more accessible and embraces different musical styles In the second half of the term students work on a project that explores the practical application of work in a community setting – devising and exploring work for a set group of people that GSA has targeted for Outreach – this could cover reminiscence theatre, children’s theatre or take up an educational theme and explore the possibilities of performance in this setting. The third term of study looks in depth at the genre of Musical Theatre where music, dance, singing and acting are integrated to create a performance of work that is shown to the wide range of peers and staff – with the aim of sustaining and delivering an original score of musical theatre as actor-musicians. The choice of text is always mindful of the diverse cultural, social and political backgrounds of the cohort and aims at all times to be fully accessible to a range of learning needs.  Sustainability Statement.  This module aims to enable greater collaboration with the community (outreach-projects, events, initiatives)-social sustainability

This module builds on the work at Level 4 and extends the technical base and physical delivery of Voice and Singing in performance. Students study a range of techniques that support them in the delivery of Classical, Modern and Musical Theatre Text. As with all voice and singing programmes at GSA - the module take into account and is sensitive to individual student need. A range of perspectives are employed to ensure the module understands the rich heritage of the students who study bringing with them a range of global, personal and social perspectives. 

This module aims to develop the skill base of the Actor-Musician in Dance and Movement. Across Level 5 students will study practical skills in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Movement practices. This unit serves as an extension to dance and movement technique studied at Level 4. With study of dance and other movement based practice integrated into the module. Students will explore the application and integration of core technique and the integration of dance and movement to the work of the Actor/Musician. Movement covers posture and alignment and the relationship of the actor to the space and the use of the body within the space and extends work on the instrument as “object” and its relationship to the performer and the space. As with all Dance modules care has been give to understand the cultural, physical, social and peronal differences of learners. The lineage of the dance styles is understood to be complex and care is given that each class is taught from an inclusive perspective. 

The module builds on the work of Level 4 and begins to encourage more risk taking and creativity in approaches to music and performance. In the module Songwriting, new instrument experimentation are encouraged and supported – alongside the acquisition of higher end skill in terms of the student’s first instrument. The repertoire that is included in this module is selected from a global perspective. Students are also encouraged to journal their performance work through the “projects” Classical Text, 20th Century Text and Outreach.

The Level 6 module maintains the core basis of training skills in voice, dance and singing into the third year of study. Regular classes in Singing, Jazz, Tap and Ballet are maintained alongside the schedule of public performances as well a Voice classes that enable students to work through issues that may be arising from their work in the public facing productions. The material given to students and that which they choose for themselves could reflect a multiplicity of cultures and backgrounds and be written or created by a variety of genders and identities. This module aims to promote good health and well-being by keeping to appropriate working hours and maintaining Equity-standard safe spaces. We encourage positive working ethics: collaboration, kindness, support, understanding, listening and integrity.  

Professional Formation is the most industry facing module at Level 6 – enabling students to connect with potential employers and the wider industry. Including work on showcasing skills to industry creatives and digital presentation of work, The module always aims to take account of the student's own practice and expression as an artist. Sustainability Statement In the delivery of this module, GSA is guided by the UN's 17 Sustainable Development goals. We aim to promote and encourage an understanding and healthy approach to diet, sleep, exercise and screen time. We promote working in a safe space, utilising Equity “Safe Space” guidelines and will promote positive working ethics that promote collaboration, support, understanding, listening and integrity.

The spine of the public facing work of the third year sits within this module. Across the year students will participate in three theatrical productions of differing scale and genres.These may be live or recorded/streamed for public performance. PLAY Nominally a modern text and often performed in the largest space with full production resourcing. MUSICAL A flexible space piece which is supported fully but of a mid-scale size where music is primarily delivered by the performers in an actor-musician performance CLASSIC PLAY A play that comes from the classical repertoire (eg before 1930) and may be recorded or streamed.  Texts are drawn from various eras, genres and global perspectives - to ensure that the work is always current, engaging for the wider community and responsive to the diversity of our society.  SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT In the delivery of this module, GSA is guided by the UN's 17 Sustainable Development goals. We aim to consider existing resources when designing and devising our work. We will aim to minimise energy waste and embrace a circular economy within the design and delivery and teaching of productions and within the day to day activities of GSA.  

The module addresses the need for actors to understand the methodology behind and the creative reasoning for developing a production or a theatre company. The module will look at how to create: Artistic objectives Budgets Casting breakdowns Rehearsal schedules Funding streams and applications How to present to others and communicate on work In the delivery of this module, GSA is guided by the UN's 17 Sustainable Development goals. We aim to promote and encourage a sense of enterprise and entrepreneurship. The module aims to foster an understanding of sustainable financial and business models. We will aim to establish and foster sustainable working practice in a financially viable way post-graduation and an understanding of sustainable funding streams. We also aim to promote and encourage collaboration with the community, through outreach projects, events, performance and other initiatives, developing our curriculum to promote social sustainability.