Encore Theatre Dance Syllabus Information

Positive - Inspiring - Empowering

Encore Theatre Dance provides a broad exploration of core genres within Musical Theatre.

This performance syllabus has been created to:

The structure of this syllabus is different to the other genres of the APDA. The syllabus and examinations are predominantly performance based. The focus is on achieving conviction of character and confident role playing through acting and dance. Singing is encouraged but not compulsory. This syllabus requires candidates to be training (or have trained) in another form of technical dance.

Encore Theatre Dance is an examination based syllabus, it is compulsory for all registered studios to enter Encore Theatre Dance students for examinations or assessments annually.

We are committed to providing fast and personal service to all our registered teachers.

The syllabus comprises of 12 levels and a Teacher Training syllabus

Syllabus Components:

Each grade has four or five performance pieces:

Golden Age Performance (pre 1960)
Post Classic Performance (1960 – 1989)
Contemporary Performance (1990 onwards)
Student Choreography (Performance Level 4 upwards)
Teacher Choreographed Musical Performance (all grades)

There are no technical exercises.

25 marks are allocated to each piece from Broadway Baby to Level 3.
20 marks are allocated to each piece from Level 4 – level 10
Students are awarded a report, certificate and badge (all levels).
Marks are allocated for characterisation, musicality, performance, technical placement, vocals/lip synching.
Students can enter at any stage of the syllabus and there are no pre-requisite levels.
It is compulsory for registered teachers to enter a minimum of 25 students annually for examinations.

Year Plan

Lessons in terms one and two of the school year are focused on preparing students for examinations.

Examinations are held in the second or third term of the school year (June/July/August/September) in Australia and New Zealand.

Examinations are held in June and July in Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand and China.

Lesson Plan

Syllabus work in preparation for examinations is based on 45 – 60 minute lessons per week over two to three terms.

Age Recommendations

Broadway Baby (recommended age – 6 years)
Level 1 (7 years)
Level 2 (8 years)
Level 3 (9 years)
Level 4 (10/11 years)
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Level 8
Level 9
Level 10
Solo Seal
Teacher Certificate
Advanced Teacher Certificate

Any student who has had dance experience or is over 11 years of age should be assessed and placed in a class at the recommendation of the teacher.

Candidates sitting Level 10 onwards must have sat and passed the previous grade as a prerequisite (ie. Level 9).

Dual Roles

Where there are dual roles, the candidate is only required to present ONE of the characters. If there is not a partner in the examination, the candidate can either present alone or is permitted to bring in a partner (not marked) for any partner work.

Music

The music for Encore Theatre Dance is set due to the nature of Musical Theatre and the requirement to sing or mime.

Teachers select music for Student Choreography and the grade Dances.

Studios are required to have their own studio music license for classes.

Student Choreography

Student choreography is incorporated at the higher levels to develop student initiative and creativity. Students choreograph their work individually with assistance from the teacher where necessary.

Time limits are detailed in the teaching notes. The teacher provides the music for student choreography (the same music must be used by all the students in an examination group/grade – ie. no individual music as student choreography is usually seen in pairs).