Outline

Overview

In this subject the student will learn about theatre works that feature storytelling, voice and music. These smaller scale works are often created by theatre makers who have limited resources, but important and interesting things to say or stories to tell. The course is aimed at students who have a writing (music or text), directing, theatre making or performance practice or anyone who would like to know more about contemporary approaches to telling stories/ amplifying voices through music. Students will not only learn about current practices in this area, but have the chance to develop their own proposals for a piece of theatre using what they have learnt in the course. They will also choose three small scale performances to review. Assessments can be filmed or written.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Karen Cummings, karen.cummings@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Creative work	Personal reflection Personal reflection on a piece of music theatre that had a strong impact	0%	Week 02 Due date: 14 Aug 2026 at 23:59	500 words or 3-5 minute video	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 2 Students will be assigned a group. They will choose an example of gig theatre and of amplified story telling either covered in lectures or from their own research. It will be a group presentation of 10 minutes and can include video, recordings.	40%	Week 05 Due date: 03 Sep 2026 at 10:00	10-15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Review Review a small-scale theatre work you have seen that incorporates voice and music. Discuss the techniques used to amplify (represent) the point of view of a community (geographic or of interest), individual or of the non-human.	20%	Week 09 Due date: 08 Oct 2026 at 10:00	10-15mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 3 Students will be assigned a group. The group will film an outline of a story/ perspective that would be developed using one of the theatre forms studied: gig theatre, amplified storytelling, verbatim theatre, site specific work or community engaged work.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2026 at 10:00	10-15mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessment Requirements

All assessment tasks must be attempted. Failure to submit or attend any assessment task will normally result in an Absent Fail (AF) or failure of the unit.

If a task is specified as a hurdle requirement, you must obtain a minimum mark of 50% in that task to pass the unit, even if your overall mark is higher.

Assessment criteria

Early feedback task - Canvas quiz

2 group projects

1 Theatre review 500 words

Assessment Requirements

All assessment tasks must be attempted. Failure to submit or attend any assessment task will normally result in an Absent Fail (AF) or failure of the unit.

If a task is specified as a hurdle requirement, you must obtain a minimum mark of 50% in that task to pass the unit, even if your overall mark is higher.

Simple extension available as per policy

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Week 1 Introduction: • What are the ways Theatre uses voice and music? • An overview of contemporary forms of theatre using voice and music. The uses of these theatre form to tell stories/ represent a point of view and/or as a form of protest, cultural continuation, visibility, celebration and community building.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction: • What are the ways Theatre uses voice and music? • An overview of contemporary forms of theatre using voice and music. The uses of these theatre form to tell stories/ represent a point of view and/or as a form of protest, cultural continuation, visibility, celebration and community building.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	The popular music gig and Indigenous performers; sonic sovereignty and decolonial possibilities. Inspirations and explorations in artistic agency for popular music musicians.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Discussion of the ways that the music gig can amplify particular voices, build community and act as protest.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Amplified story Telling: • Discussion of Australian First Nations communities as the holders of the oldest storytelling/ song and dance traditions on earth.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Amplified story Telling: • Discussion of Australian First Nations communities as the holders of the oldest storytelling/ song and dance traditions on earth. • Amplified story telling as a form that can represent the voices of a diverse range of individuals and communities.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Gig Theatre • An examination of Gig Theatre as a low-tech form that can represent the voices of communities and individuals, can be a form of protest, amplify visibility, celebration and connection and community building. • An examination of Gig Theatre as a low-tech form that represents particularly young, female, queer and culturally diverse voices. • A historical perspective of Gig Theatre that gives an overview of rock against racism, punk and post punk movements. • Current Australian works.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	An examination of Gig Theatre as a low-tech form that can represent the voices of communities and individuals, can be a form of protest, amplify visibility, celebration and connection and community building. • An examination of Gig Theatre as a low-tech form that represents particularly young, female, queer and culturally diverse voices. • A historical perspective of Gig Theatre that gives an overview of rock against racism, punk and post punk movements. • Current Australian works.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Cabaret as an inherently political form of theatre; students will explore contemporary forms of story telling through cabaret.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Cabaret as an inherently political form of theatre; students will explore contemporary forms of story telling through cabaret.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Amplified story telling	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	amplified story telling	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Community engaged practices. • The process of community immersion. • Methods of ethically conducting interviews. • Methods of workshopping stories. • Working with the participating community and the concepts of mutuality and agency. • Some examples of theatre projects that are generated from community participation (geographic communities or communities of interest). • Discussion of ethical issues in working with communities: who tells the stories? Who retains ownership of the stories? Wh	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Community engaged practices. • The process of community immersion. • Methods of ethically conducting interviews. • Methods of workshopping stories. • Working with the participating community and the concepts of mutuality and agency. • Some examples of theatre projects that are generated from community participation (geographic communities or communities of interest). • Discussion of ethical issues in working with communities: who tells the stories? Who retains ownership of the stories? Wh	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	The role of technology in facilitating a broader range of voices • The presence of stories of underrepresented communities is an act of amplification. • Technology can allow the presence of a range of musical and vocal approaches that would not be audible in an unamplified setting. For example, Punk, electronic and Rock music.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	The role of technology in facilitating a broader range of voices • The presence of stories of underrepresented communities is an act of amplification. • Technology can allow the presence of a range of musical and vocal approaches that would not be audible in an unamplified setting. For example, Punk, electronic and Rock music. •	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Improvisation, technology and voice as a space for the representation of Indigenous voices.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Improvisation, technology and voice as a space for the representation of Indigenous voices.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Bringing it all together: A structured discussion on the Music Theatre forms we have studied. • What has been learnt from our study of contemporary music theatre works and their capacity to represent “under-heard” communities or to represent them in new ways? • Multi vocality and working across different vocal and musical styles in amplifying the voices of “under-heard” communities and individuals.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Bringing it all together: A structured discussion on the Music Theatre forms we have studied. • What has been learnt from our study of contemporary music theatre works and their capacity to represent “under-heard” communities or to represent them in new ways? • Multi vocality and working across different vocal and musical styles in amplifying the voices of “under-heard” communities and individuals.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Bringing it all together: Presentation of group projects.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Bringing it all together: presentation of group projects.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Presentations of Creative works	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	discussion of creative works	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

100% attendance is required

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Amplifying Voices and Stories

Readings

Valentine, Alana. Bowerbird. The art of making theatre from life. Currency Press.

Skjerseth, Amy, Jarman, Freya and Andre, Naomi. The Routledge Companion to Voice and Identity. Routledge. 2026.

Wilson, Loise Ann. Sites of Transformation. Methuen Drama.

Peters, Sarah and Burton, David. Verbatim Theatre Methodologies for Community Engaged Practice. Routledge. 2024.

Radosavljevic, Duska. Aural/Oral Dramurgies. Theatre in the Digital Age. Routledge. 2023.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Identify different theatre forms that use voice and music.
LO2. Understand the ways that these forms are adapted and evolve to reflect cultural changes and amplify the points of view of underrepresented individuals and communities (including Indigenous stories and points of view).
LO3. Reflect on academic and other source materials regarding contemporary theatre using voice and music.
LO4. Apply research and critical thinking skills to a group presentation comparing two forms of theatre using voice and music.
LO5. Apply research and creative thinking skills to develop a proposal for a theatre form using voice and music.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time the unit is offered

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MUSC2677: Amplifying Voices and Stories Through Music

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links