Musical Theatre and Performance Arts in Production

Further information on Syllabuses 16 and 20

Syllabus 16 - Musical Theatre in Production

Production (group entry alternatives)
Many schools, colleges, studios, dramatic societies etc regularly mount fully-
staged productions of musicals for public performance. These invariably
represent the culmination of many weeks of creative work, study, co-
operation and rehearsal and it is entirely appropriate that candidates should
have the opportunity to submit such performances for examination if they
so wish.

This can be done in two ways.

Option 1

The whole or part of a production may be submitted for examination at any

level from Grade 1 to Grade 8.

When assessing the appropriate grade level entry, prospective candidates

should refer to Syllabus 15 (Musical Theatre – Groups) and consider how fully
their production meets the requirements of the grades there. Note the
timings of each grade also, and use these to calculate the minimum quantity
of material required.

For instance, Grade 6 requires:

“A presentation that includes acting, singing and choreographed movement

in approximate equal measure. During about a third of the presentation at
least two skills should be employed simultaneously”. The exam is timed at
20 minutes.

In this case, the minimum requirement for the presentation of two skills
“employed simultaneously” is 6 to 7 minutes – even if the whole production
lasts an hour. There could be long periods of pure dialogue between song
and dance numbers and overall the production might not necessarily
present acting, singing and dancing “in approximate equal measure.” But a
full production of a play with minimal musical elements - Much Ado About
Nothing, for example, which contains a couple of songs a social dance and a
jig – would not meet the criteria for this level, irrespective of the fact that
the production as a whole might meet a very high standard and last for
three hours.

Musical Theatre & Performance Arts in Production 1

‘From 2006’ Syllabus
Trinity Guildhall – January 2006
Examiners will complete three-page reports for such entries which giving a
detailed appreciation and assessment of the various contributory elements
that make up the production – lighting, set, costume, props, direction etc – as
well as performances.

In awarding marks, the examiner will assess the production as a whole. If

successful, each member of the cast will then receive a certificate indicating
whether the production had been adjudged to achieve a level of pass, merit
or distinction. Variations in differing individual levels of achievement will
not be recognised under this type of entry.

Each production is of course unique and circumstances will doubtless vary

greatly from case to case. As ever, Trinity College London is always pleased
to offer advice and guidance on defining the appropriate grade for entry for
individual productions.

Option 2

Entry under this option allows performances by individuals, pairs and groups
to be assessed independently within the context of a fully mounted
production.

For instance, in a college production of Kander and Ebb’s musical Cabaret,

the actress playing Sally Bowles might be entered for Musical Theatre solo
Grade 8, Frau Schneider and Herr Schultz as Grade 6 (pairs) and the Kit Kat
girls at Grade 4 (groups). The actors playing the Emcee and Cliff Bradshaw
might not be entered for the examination at all.

Each candidate must show the appropriate quantity of work for the
examination for which they are being entered. They will be assessed on the
appropriate aspects of their performance elements only – it would be
possible, for example, for a candidate to achieve a high level of individual
achievement within a production that was inadequately lit, designed and/or
costumed.

Individual and pair candidates will be expected to participate in a group and/

or individual discussion with the examiner at the conclusion of the
production. The duration of these will reflect the time guidelines for the
appropriate grade (e.g.: about 6 minutes for grade 6). Directors should
ensure that suitable facilities - and time – are made available for this.

During the discussion, examiners may ask candidates to fulfil the

requirements of specific tasks within the grade requirements (e.g.: speak the
lyrics of a song without music, perform a brief improvisation). This will
relate to the role undertaken and the production that the examiner has just

Musical Theatre & Performance Arts in Production 2

‘From 2006’ Syllabus
Trinity Guildhall – January 2006
seen and the candidates’ responses should reflect genuine work undertaken
in the rehearsal room.

Again, we recognise that each production is undertaken under unique

circumstances. Please contact us if you need further advice or guidance on
entering your production under this syllabus option.

Syllabus 20 – Performance Arts in Production

Production (group entry alternatives)
The same options for entry are available for Syllabus 20, and the same
general guidelines apply, though obviously in this case the production could
be a play, pantomime, opera or multi-media performance piece.

The levels of achievement and performance requirements reflect the

appropriate grades in Syllabuses 17, 18 and/or 19 (Performance Arts solo,
pairs or groups).

Again, please feel free to contact us for guidance and advice should you be
considering entry under either of these options.

ASSESSMENT FORM

SYLLABUS 16:
MUSICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION (group entry alternatives) (Option 1)

SYLLABUS 20:
PERFORMANCE ARTS IN PRODUCTION (group entry alternatives) (Option 1)

The report will consist of a cover sheet giving details of the marking and
assessment criteria and three A4 sheets each divided into two sections to
give a total of six.

Productions will be assessed on the following five criteria, each of which will
be marked out of 20:

PERFORMANCES (Audibility, physicality, musicianship, individual

characterisation, ability to sustain a role).

GROUP DYNAMIC (Interaction between performers, ensemble sequences,

group movement, choric work, choral speaking, group singing (where
appropriate)).

STAGING (Direction, choreography, effective use of the stage, blocking,

clarity of story-telling)

DESIGN (Set, costume, décor, props, programme).

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‘From 2006’ Syllabus
Trinity Guildhall – January 2006
TECHNICAL (Lighting and sound design and operation, sound effects, live
sound mixing (where appropriate), special effects, pyrotechnics).

There will be a sixth section on the report form for OVERALL COMMENT.
This could cover such matters as the choice of piece, translation, production
values, political content etc. This section does NOT have a mark but the any
summarising or concluding comments should reflect the overall mark
awarded.

Musical Theatre & Performance Arts in Production 4

‘From 2006’ Syllabus
Trinity Guildhall – January 2006