MUSICAL THEATER EMPHASIS SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT 
Information Sheet

In order to complete the Rollins College B.A. in Theatre with an Emphasis in Musical Theater, seniors must complete a Musical Theater Capstone Project. All Musical Theater Capstone Projects must include a written and a production component. There are three types of Musical Theater Capstone Projects:

I.        Performance of a Capstone Role in a Main Stage musical production. Capstone roles will be identified by the Department of Theatre and Dance faculty prior to auditions and will be supervised by the appropriate Main Stage director

II.       Completing a Capstone Assistantship by serving as Assistant Director, Assistant Musical Director, or Assistant Choreographer on a Main Stage musical production.

III.  Creation and Performance of a Solo Cabaret under the supervision of a Department of Theatre and Dance faculty member. For this option you will be responsible for hiring and compensating your own Musical Director/Accompanist.

It is the students’ responsibility to submit to the Department Chair a Capstone Project Request Form outlining the nature and suitability of their project, listing the faculty member they wish to supervise their work.  Students should be aware that simply completing the requirements for the Musical Theatre Emphasis will not assure them one of the Capstone Projects listed above. 

Accordingly, under special circumstances, students may petition the Department of Theatre and Dance faculty for Capstone consideration for a major musical role in the Second Stage series or other significant performance equivalent.

I.       MAIN STAGE MUSICAL SENIOR CAPSTONE ROLE PROJECT

Performance Component 
This Capstone centers on the preparation and performance of a leading or major supporting role in an Annie Russell Theatre musical production. This Capstone is particularly recommended for students who have been consistently and successfully cast in musicals as underclassmen. 
Students must demonstrate a command of the skills developed through the required classes of the Performance Emphasis. Please refer to http://www.rollins.edu/theatre/theatrecourses.shtml for a list of required classes.

Written Component 
See below.

II.     MAIN STAGE SENIOR CAPSTONE ASSITANTSHIP PROJECT

This Capstone centers on the non-acting, non-design creative aspects of an Annie Russell musical production. Students will serve as assistants to the production team including Director, Musical Director and Choreographer. Assistants will work under the direction of their supervisor and will take on major responsibilities as directed. They will be expected to attend all production meetings, all rehearsals and all performances.

This Capstone is particularly recommended for those who show exceptional skill in Voice and Piano Performance, Dance, and/or Directing. Students must demonstrate a command of the skills developed through the required classes of the Performance Emphasis. Please refer to http://www.rollins.edu/theatre/theatrecourses.shtml for a list of required classes.

Written Component 
See below.

III. SENIOR CAPSTONE SOLO CABARET PROJECT

This Capstone centers on the creation, preparation and performance of a Solo Cabaret Performance under the supervision of a Theatre and Dance faculty member. This should not be approached as a “concert;” rather it must incorporate narrative, acting and dance/movement. Students must demonstrate a command of the skills developed through the required classes of the Performance Emphasis. Please refer to http://www.rollins.edu/theatre/theatrecourses.shtml for a list of required classes.

For this option students are responsible for hiring and compensating their own musical director/accompanist and for securing the rights to any music they wish to use in performance.

Written Component 
See below.  
 

WRITTEN COMPONENT

Students are required to document their process during the Musical Theater Capstone Project. Appropriate documentation may take different forms such as a rehearsal and performance journal for the Main Stage Musical Capstone or a rehearsal journal and concept paper for the Capstone Assistantship. Students should consult with their faculty supervisor to determine which form is most appropriate for their project.

Regardless of the shape of the approved Musical Theater Capstone Project, students must submit a written overview of their creative process, summarizing the research undertaken, strategies employed, and lessons learned throughout the process. This written reflection consists of five sections:

Stage 1 
“Pre-flection” consisting of the expected goals and outcomes of the project and initial expectations concerning the journey ahead. Areas to consider include: questions and reactions to the script and score upon first reading/hearing.

Stage 2 
Pre-production summary including elements of research and investigation. Areas to consider include: historical, political and social situating of the performance text/score including a clear understanding of production history as well as any revival revisions; a discussion of specific challenges presented by the text/score; a consideration of the needs and opportunities of production; overview of contributory movements and disciplines and their appropriateness to the project at hand.

Stages 1 and 2 are due before the first performance or demonstration.

Stage 3 
Process reflection outlining the stages of rehearsal and development. Areas to consider include: approaches and methods utilized or attempted during the rehearsal process to enrich and create the performance event, including an assessment of personal challenges and successes. Candidates should keep a rehearsal journal to trace their process. This element, however, should NOT merely be the journal itself, but rather a summary or synopsis of the major discoveries.

Stage 3 is due two days after the closing performance.

Stage 4 
Production feedback including any formal (reviews, critiques, institutional evaluations, directorial feedback…) or informal (talk-backs, peer review, audience acknowledgments, faculty debriefs…) assessments of your final project. Candidates briefly summarize the reception of the project by its target audience.

Stage 5 
Post-production reflection assessing the overall journey of discovery and performance, including lessons learned, challenges overcome, issues of concern and an earnest contemplation of your work as an artist.

Stage 4 and 5 are due seven days after the closing performance.

Written Reflections (2500-3000 words) should exhibit close editing and revision and meet the College’s high writing standards. Excessively over-written, under-written or poorly written reflections will not be accepted.

Students must display equal care in both the performance and research/reflection components in order to successfully complete the Musical Theater Capstone Project. 

Students who anticipate graduating in May 2010 must submit the Capstone Project Request Form to the Theatre and Dance Department Chair before August 13, 2009.

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