ESA’S Music Theatre program is the only kind of interdisciplinary program in the TDSB, which integrates Vocal, Theory, Drama, Dance and Technical Theatre to train and develop the student as a ‘triple threat’ performer. We offer Music Theatre majors a four-year training program that is grounded in an atmosphere of curiosity and creativity. Courses in acting, voice and various vocal styles (Broadway, Commercial, Pop/Rock, Jazz, Opera, Traditional Choral), theory, speech, movement, dance and theatre history are integral parts of the double-credit Musical theatre program. Distinguished Alumni and professional guests regularly visit the school to speak, advise and teach master classes to our students. Each year, professional guests help the students build the technical elements for our musical, including Costumes, Sets, Props, Sound, Lights and Stage Management. Students will gain academic and theoretical knowledge of the performing arts and receive concentrated training in these disciplines. We offer many performance opportunities through our classes and extra-curricular ensembles.
Course Descriptions
The courses in this section have been developed:
- to develop in artistically-inclined students the ability to understand and use their arts specialty as a living language;
- to prepare students for continued study in the arts at the post-secondary level; and
- to help students develop the necessary skills to become proficient performers and artists
ADB 1O1 | MUSIC THEATRE DRAMA AND MOVEMENT I
This course explores the movement and dramatic aspects of music theatre. The course will include an introduction to dramatic and dance technique. The culminating activity will consist of the student’s participation in the department’s Spring Showcase and learning/participating in technical aspects of performance production (advertising/promotion, sets, props, costume construction, stage management).
AMV 1O1 | VOICE AND MUSIC THEATRE I
This course accommodates students at various performing levels who wish to gain proficiency in the three essential components of music theatre: voice, dance and acting. Voice topics follow the creation, theory and analysis strands in the Ministry document and include sound production, breathing, diction, range, intonation, projection, interpretation, ear training and sight-singing. Theory instruction accommodates students at various levels and involves learning the symbols, concepts and conventions used in music as they apply to vocal music. Students will perform choral music from various cultures and create music theatre pieces culminating in a public performance. Students can audition for choirs and ensembles and participate in the co-curricular ensemble Lunch Bunch.
ADB 2O1 | MUSIC THEATRE DRAMA AND MOVEMENT II
This course continues the exploration of the movement and dramatic aspects of music theatre. The course will build on the skills regarding dramatic and dance technique learned in ADB 1O1. The culminating activity will consist of the student’s participation in the department’s Spring Showcase and learning/participating in technical aspects of performance production (advertising/promotion, sets, props, costume construction, stage management). Focus will be on acting the song, scene analysis and presentation.
AMV 2O1 | VOICE AND MUSIC THEATRE II
This course continues to build on the skills developed in AMV 1O1. Following Ministry guidelines to encompass the three-area theory, creation and analysis, students will study the elements of music, demonstrate the principles of proper vocal training and focus creatively on music creation. Students will participate in choirs and ensembles.
ADB 3M1 | MUSIC THEATRE DRAMA AND MOVEMENT III
This course continues the personal performance development of the student. The course will build on the skills regarding dramatic and dance technique learned in ADB201, including Laban movement for actors, monologue and scene study units, and character analysis. The culminating activity will be threefold and will consist of the student’s participation/performance in the department’s Musical Showcase (including learning about the technical aspects of theatre -advertising/promotion, set, prop costume construction and stage management), dramatic presentation and dance exam.
AMV 3M1 | VOICE & MUSIC THEATRE III
By the end of this course, students will demonstrate the ability to notate rhythmic patterns, melodies and chords accurately. This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis and performance of music theatre repertoire. Students will perform technical exercises, complete detailed creative activities, and analyze and evaluate live and recorded performances. They will continue to increase their understanding of the elements of music while developing their technical and imaginative abilities. Students will participate in choirs, ensembles and will perform in the culminating spring showcase in our theatre.
ADB 4M1 | MUSIC THEATRE DRAMA AND MOVEMENT IV
This course synthesizes the skills in drama and dance as they apply to music theatre for the student. The course will build on the skills regarding dramatic and dance techniques learned in ADB 3M1 and use Laban Movement for actors to build on character development. The culminating activity will be threefold, consisting of the student’s participation/performance in the department’s Musical Showcase (including learning about the technical aspects of theatre -advertising/promotion, set, prop costume construction and stage management), small ensemble performance in the graduation cabaret showcase, and a final dance exam.
AMV 4M1 | VOICE – MUSIC THEATRE IV
This course explores aspects of vocal production, including sight-reading, analyzing musical material, tone and vocal quality. Students will also receive instruction on selection and interpretation of selected musical material. Students will perform ensemble and solo repertoires. Learning strategies include attending live performances, examining films and participation in master classes. Students will participate in choirs, ensembles, and perform in the departments spring showcase.
If you have any questions please contact Patricia Warnock, ACL of Music Theatre, at patricia.warnock@tdsb.on.ca