MOLLOY COLLEGE

Rockville Centre, NY

COURSE OUTLINE

SEMESTER: FALL

DEPARTMENT: THEATRE ARTS FACULTY: R Jackson

COURSE: THA 305 COURSE TITLE: THEATRE DANCE I Level B

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
To develop an awareness of how the craft of Jazz dance supports the physical actor/singer, and to train the
physical actor with the goal of enabling the actor to incorporate their musicality/style/use of breath, presence,
dynamics of movement, music tempos into more complicated combinations and choreography. This course is
part of the CAP21 Musical Theatre Arts Studio V curriculum and is included in the 4 credits assigned for
those courses.

Prerequisites: CAP21 Musical Theatre Arts Studio IV, Ballet II, Jazz III.

THA 305 Theatre Dance I

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 THA 305 Theatre Dance I
Fall 2019
Meets 2 times a week, for 1.5 hours

Instructor: Ryan Jackson

Office Hours: By Appointment

Course Overview/Description:
It is designed to train the physical actor with the goal of developing a broader understanding and
implementation of the basic techniques of Jazz dance as applied to traditional Musical Theatre choreography
(pre 1960). The primary techniques of Jazz dance, taught during the first four semesters are utilized to enable
the actor to acquire the discipline, strength, stamina, and musicality to accomplish this goal. Students will
participate in warm-ups and dance combinations that are more advanced technically and stylistically. The focus
of the work will be on exposing students to the choreography of accomplished Broadway choreographers to
develop a solid understanding of how to identify and incorporate style in a dance pieces. Students will be
expected to demonstrate an application of dynamics of movement, music tempos, quick pick up of
choreography, musicality/style/use of breath, audition attire and look.

Student Learning Objectives:

 Spatial awareness
 Dynamics of movement
 Styles of Jazz Theatre dance
 Dynamics of movement
 Application of acting technique
 Working as an ensemble
 Use of Breath
 Physical Presence
 Music tempos
 Build strength and flexibility
 Develop a practical application and demonstration of Jazz technique.
 Apply the craft of Jazz dance based on established and new choreography.

Instruction:
 Styles of choreography
 Interpretation of Music
 Building Strength/stamina
 Breath
 Musicality
 Expression of movement
 Dynamics in movement
 Transitions
 Intention underneath the movement
 Music Tempos
 Presence
 Working without the mirror
 Appearance (hair/makeup/dance attire)
 Professional conduct
THA 305 Theatre Dance I
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  Ensemble work

Students participate in physical exercises designed to increase the technical and expressive execution of Jazz
Theatre dance. These exercises include isolations (head, neck, shoulders, arms, ribcage and hips), stretching
(hamstrings, lower back, and hip rotation), Strength work (core/abdominal strength, push-ups), plié, tendu,
dégagé, relevé, passé, leaps, spotting, and pirouettes, Jazz positions, tuck jumps, jazz chasse, corkscrew,
corkscrew jump, and kicks. Students will demonstrate combinations and choreography for the Mock auditions
based on the Jazz technique and the Theatre dance canon. Each lesson will take one week (two class sessions)
to achieve its goal.

Required Viewing:
o Carousel (1955) choreographed by Agnes de Mille.
o Silk Stockings (1957) choreography by Hermes Pan.
o Guys and Dolls (1955) choreography by Michael Kidd.
o Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) choreography by Michael Kidd.

Recommended Viewing:
o Hello, Dolly! (1969) choreography by Michael Kidd.
o Star (1968) choreography by Michael Kidd.
o Can-Can (1960) choreography by Hermes Pan.
o Pal Joey (1957) choreography by Hermes Pan.

Grading Criteria and Percentages:

Technique and Performance - 50%
 Skill Level
 Terminology/Style Analysis/Written Assignments
 Application of Direction/Corrections
 Expression of Movement Style
 Musicality/Phrasing/Rhythm
Professional Behavior - 30%
 Level of Progress
 Effort/Attitude
 Professional Behavior
Preparedness – 20%
 Concentration/Focus
 Execution of Combinations

Grading Rubric:
A Excellent 93-100 4.0 Exceptional mastery of the skill required to complete the course objective.
The student fully grasps the technique and there is little room for
improvement.
A- 90-92.9 3.7 Excellent mastery of the skill required to complete the course objective. The
student understands the skill required but there is room for improvement.
B+ 87.0-89.9 3.3 Strong development of the skill required to complete the course objective.
The student shows potential for excellent work but certain areas of the work
are not consistent.

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 B Good 83.0-86.9 3.0 Good development of the skill required to complete the course objective.
The student understands some areas of the work but the skill needs
development.
B- 80.0-82.9 2.7 Below average development of the skill required to complete the course
objective. The student needs to explore the skill in more depth.
C+* 77.0-79.9 2.3 Minimal advance of the skill required to complete the course objective. The
work lacks depth and understanding.
C Average 73.0-76.9 2.0 Inconsistent work and progress.
C- 70.0-72.9 1.7 Very little improvement or understanding of the skill required to complete
the course objective. Consistent lack of preparation.
D+ 67.0-69.9 1.3 Significant lack of understanding or ability to demonstrate the skill required
to complete the course objective.
D 60.0-66.9 1.0 The work is lacking in preparation, understanding and skill. Student lacks
the drive to commit to the process.
F Failure Below 0 Unable to demonstrate technical skill or understanding of the course
60.0 objective.
I Incomplete- Computed as failure: Some requirements of the course is
lacking (Automatically becomes an F if requirement is not met within
specified time)
W Withdrawn- Student Officially Withdrew before Finals (No credits earned
and no quality points)
WA Withdrawn- Absent/Passing (No credits earned and no quality points)
WF Withdrawn- Absent/Failing (Computed as failure)
WIP Work-in-Progress
P Passed (Course taken for credit and no quality points)
NA** Never Attended (No credits earned and no quality points)
AU Audit (No credits earned and no quality points; attendance not needed to
record audit status)
* “C+” is the lowest acceptable grade for all THA major required and co-required courses.
** “NA” is no longer available as a final grade, effective Fall 2004.

Class Rules, Regulations and Teacher’s Expectations:

Due to the professional environment in which students are taking classes, there are some items that students are
required to adhere to:
 Proper Attire: Students are required to wear proper attire for all classes
 No Jazz sneakers
 Men: Jazz shoes, Spandex shorts (above the knee) or jazz pants, White t-shirt, Dance belt
 Women: Jazz shoes and Character shoes, Jazz pants or Tights, tight leg warmers (optional), Leotard
 Dance clothing with logos, writing, or pictures is not acceptable for class
 Hair is to be pulled off the face
 All jewelry is to be removed. This includes watches, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings of any kind,
and any body piercings
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  No baggy T-shirts
 No bare midriffs
 No sweat pants or plastic pants
 No cut-off or baggy shorts
 No baseball caps or hats of any kind
 Please use the restroom before class, leaving class is strongly discouraged.

CLASSROOM RECORDINGS
As a student enrolled in courses offered by Molloy College, Rockville Centre, New York, I understand that
classes may sometimes be audio or digitally captured for instructional purposes. THESE RECORDINGS ARE
INTENDED ONLY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND WILL BE USED ONLY BY THE
FACULTY AND STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE COURSE. PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR
INSTRUCTOR BY EMAIL IF YOU DO NOT CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN A DIGITAL
RECORDING OF YOUR COURSE.
If no student elects to withhold his/her consent prior to 9/6/19, digital recording of the class will begin on
9/6/19. Any student who has not contacted the professor prior to that date will be deemed to have consented to
the recording. You may notify your professor by email at any time if you choose to revoke your consent.

ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWL
It is the accepted practice at Molloy College that faculty take attendance in all courses. Students should
notify faculty if an absence is necessary as the result of a serious situation. Failure to attend class for two
(2) consecutive weeks at any point in the semester, without notification of extenuating circumstances, will
result in an administrative withdrawal from the course. In the case of an online or hybrid course,
attendance is considered similarly important. Therefore, failure to participate in academic activities in
any given week is considered an absence. Examples of participation in academic activities representing
attendance would be participation in a class chat or discussion board on an academic topic, submissions
of a required assignment, digital interaction with the professor on an academic topic, and completion of a
quiz or exam.
Administrative withdrawal results in removal from the course with a grade of “WA” or WF” determined
by the point in the term and the academic performance.
Students should consult the College catalog for complete details regarding withdrawals and the potential
financial implications of a withdrawal.

Harassment:
Unlawful harassment is a form of discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and
other federal authority. Harassment includes unwelcome verbal or physical conduct based on race, color,
religion, sex (whether or not of a sexual nature and including same-gender harassment and gender identity
harassment), national origin, age (40 and over), disability (mental or physical), sexual orientation, or retaliation
(sometimes collectively referred to as “legally protected characteristics”). Further information about
Harassment is found in the CAP21 Student Handbook. Harassment will lead to disciplinary action.

General Rules for the CAP21 Facility:

 No food or drink allowed in any studio (except designated lunch rooms), only water bottles are
permitted.
 No gum anywhere.
 No smoking.
 No rollerblades. (You must remove them downstairs before you enter the building.)
 No bicycles or skateboards.
 Throw all garbage away. Do not leave your garbage in any studio.
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  Do not place anything on top of the pianos except music or paper. (That means no water bottles, keys,
jewelry, etc.)
 Please don’t make excessive noise in the hallways while other classes are in session.

Drug Free Work Place: See Student Handbook

Attendance:
See Molloy College Theatre Arts Department Student Handbook.

It is the accepted practice at Molloy College that faculty take attendance in all courses.
- Students should notify faculty if an absence if necessary as the result of a serious situation.
- Failure to attend class for two (2) consecutive weeks at any point in the semester, without notification of
extenuating circumstances, will result in an administrative withdrawal from the course.
- Administrative withdrawal results in removal from the course with a grade of "WA" or "WF"
determined by the point in the term and the academic performance.
- Students should consult the College catalog for complete details regarding withdrawals and the
potential financial implications of a withdrawal.

Late Policy:
 You will be marked late if you enter your dance class after the scheduled start time.
 If you are late 5 minutes or more, you will be marked absent.
 If you are observing class due to illness or injury, be prepared to take notes. Please consult with your
teacher.

Tardiness:
The rules and regulations of the School reflect the professional work place. Students who expect to be late for
class are expected to notify the school office. A student is considered late if they arrive after the start time, and
up to 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, the student is marked absent.

SESSION BY SESSION SCHEDULE:

Faculty may deviate within these sessions if necessary to achieve the course objective. Faculty will
communicate with students regarding changes to the syllabus.

Schedule appears on the following page.

THA 305 Theatre Dance I Schedule

(Subject to change for various unforeseen needs/events)

Assignment for each session: N/A

Date Topics Assignment for Next Class

Prior to Session 1 N/A N/A
Sessions 1 & 2  Employ warm-up exercises to build strength, Practice the dance combination and
flexibility, stamina, and loco-motor movements write a Journal entry about the
to develop an increased technical demonstration Contemporary Jazz style.
of Jazz dance technique.

THA 305 Theatre Dance I

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  Establish goals for the course.
 Define and execute across the floor
progressions in the Contemporary Jazz style,
inner monologue, and intention under the
movement, sustained movement, and transitions
from one movement to another.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to a
dance combination in the Contemporary Jazz
Style.

Sessions 3 & 4  Define and execute across the floor Practice the dance combination and
progressions in the MGM (old movie) style, write a journal entry on old movie
inner monologue, and intention under the musical style.
movement, sustained movement, and transitions
from one movement to another.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to a
dance combination in the MGM (old movie)
Style.

Sessions 5 & 6  Identify professional conduct at auditions, Write a journal entry and notate all
preparation for auditions and appearance: feedback.
outfits, hair, make-up, and shoes.
 Define and execute working full-out at the top
of their ability.
 Examine resumes and their proper structure and
presentation.
 Recall and demonstrate an increased technical
application of across the floor progressions,
inner monologue, intention under the
movement, sustained movement, and transitions
from one movement to another.
 Dxecute and apply Jazz dance technique to a
dance combination in the Contemporary, Juke
Box Style, and Revival styles in a mock
audition setting.

Sessions 7 & 8  Define Broadway style (1920’s to present day).
 Demonstrate across the floor progressions
which are increased in technical difficulty and
draw from the Broadway style cannon.
 Define and execute story and character
objective.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to a
dance combination in the Broadway style
(1920’s to present day).
 Write a journal entry about
Broadway styles and notate the
dance combination.
 Bring character heals for next
unit (oxfords for men, heels for
women).

Sessions 9 & 10  Define Latin style.  Write a journal entry about Latin
style and notate the combination.
THA 305 Theatre Dance I
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  Execute across the floor progressions in the
Latin style.
 Demonstrate ensemble work/relationship to
each other, spacing, telling the story, and the
physical posture/pride of Latin style.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to a
dance combination in the Broadway style
(1920’s to present day).
Sessions 11 & 12  Recall the stylistic elements of Agnes de
Mille’s choreography for the Musical theatre.
 Identify the integration of Jazz dance technique
within the choreographic elements from the
movie Carousel
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to the
first half of a dance combination in the style of
Agnes de Mille.
Sessions 13 & 14  Recall and demonstrate an increased technical
execution to the dance combination from week
6.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to the
second half of the dance combination from
week 6.
Sessions 15 & 16  Define the stylistic elements of Hermes Pan’s
choreography for the Musical theatre.
 Identify the integration of Jazz dance technique
within the choreographic elements from the
movie Silk Stockings.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to the
first half of a dance combination in the style of
Hermes Pan.
Sessions 17 & 18  Recall and demonstrate an increased technical
execution to the dance combination from week
8.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to the
second half of the dance combination from
week 8.
THA 305 Theatre Dance I
 Watch the film Carousel(1955)
choreographed by Agnes de
Mille.
 Research Agnes de Mille
focusing on her choreographic
contributions to the Musical
Theatre.
 Write a journal entry about
Agnes de Mille’s choreographic
style and notate the combination.
 Practice the dance combination.
 Research and write a journal
entry on a Broadway musical
choreographed by Agnes de
Mille (other than Carousel!).
 Watch the movie Silk Stockings
(1957) Hermes Pan.
 Research Hermes Pan focusing
on his choreographic
contributions to the Musical
Theatre.
 Write a journal entry about
Hermes Pan’s choreographic
style and notate the combination.
 Practice the dance combination.
 Research and write a journal
entry on a Broadway musical
choreographed by Hermes Pan
(other than Silk Stockings).
 Watch the movie Guys and Dolls
(1955) choreography by Michael
Kidd.
 Research Michael Kidd focusing
on his choreographic
contributions to the Musical
Theatre.
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Sessions 19 & 20  Define stylistic elements of Michael Kidd’s
choreography for the Musical theatre.
 Execute across the floor progressions in the
style of Michael Kidd.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to the
first half of dance combination in the style of
Michael Kidd.
Sessions 21 & 22  Recall and demonstrate an increased technical
execution to the dance combination from week
10.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to the
second half of dance combination from week
10.
Sessions 23 & 24  Define the stylistic elements of Michael Kidd’s
choreography for Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to the
first half of a new Jazz dance combination in
the style of Michael Kidd’s Seven Brides for
Seven Brothers choreography.
Sessions 25 & 26  Recall and demonstrate an increased technical
execution to the dance combination from week
12.
 Execute and apply Jazz dance technique to the
second half of dance combination from week
12.
Sessions 27 & 28  Recall and demonstrate an increased technical
and stylistic execution of the dance
combinations from weeks 11 and 13.
 Identify the chorographic and stylistic
similarities and differences between Michael
Kidd’s choreography for Guys and Dolls and
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
THA 305 Theatre Dance I
 Write a journal entry about
Michael Kidd’s choreographic
style and notate the combination.
 Practice the dance combination.
 Research and write a journal
entry on a Broadway musical
choreographed by Michael Kidd
(other than Guys and Dolls)
 Watch the movie Seven Brides
for Seven Brothers (1954)
choreography by Michael Kidd.
 Research Michael Kidd focusing
on his choreographic
contributions to the Musical
Theatre.
 Write a journal entry about
Michael Kidd’s choreographic
style and notate the combination.
 Practice and notate the dance
combination.
Review and practice the dance
combinations from week 11 and
week 13. Be prepared to discuss
your thoughts regarding the
choreographic and stylistic
similarities and differences between
Michael Kidd’s choreography for
Guys and Dolls and Seven Brides for
Seven Brothers.
 Watch the Movie On the Town
(1949) choreography by Gene
Kelly.
 Write a journal entry identifying
your impressions of the
choreography from a technical
perspective and stylistic
perspective.
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Academic Integrity: Academic integrity will be upheld by CAP21. Students found guilty of intentional fraud,
cheating or plagiarizing will be disciplined by the CAP21 administration.

Communicating Across the Curriculum: Percentage of Grade Involving Evaluation of Writing, Speaking,
Critical Thinking Skills: 10%

This course has been specifically designed to address the standards for Communicating Across the Curriculum
in the following manner:

 Written Communication: Written assignments in all components will be graded for clarity, content,
grammar, spelling, etc.
 Information Literacy/Technological Competency: Required viewing and written assignments necessitate
the application of resource use as applied to musical theatre performance study.
 Critical Thinking: Demonstration assignments (execution of Warm-Up, Center Work, Across the Floor
Work and dance combinations) have a major focus on applying, synthesis, and skillfully conceptualizing
dancing techniques.

Students with Disabilities: Molloy College provides a supportive environment for students with documented
disabilities and is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of:

 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

 ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA)
 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Students with documented disabilities who need accommodations are encouraged to schedule an appointment
Disability Support Services (DSS/STEEP), Disability Support Services Success Through Expanded Education
Program. To schedule an appointment please send an email to dss@molloy.edu or contact: Cari Rose-Tomo,
Coordinator at 516.678.5000 ext. 6381; Kerri-Ann Li, Assistant Coordinator at 516.678.5000 ext. 6866.

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