Module Information

The module will be taught through a series of lectures, seminars and practical classes led by Departmental staff. When occasion arises guest practitioners working in this field in Wales will be invited to contribute to the teaching programme. These would, of necessity, vary from year to year.

The Lectures and practical seminars would focus on the following:-

• Definitions of devising
• Contexts of devising
• Strategies and methodologies of devising
• The use of research, improvisation, exercises and games
• Creating character
• Constructing a narrative
• Approaches to writing text
• Director led and edited creation
• Devising as a group
• Time Management and structure

Students will be encouraged to develop their own improvisation structures, exercises and creative strategies as well as learn from the approaches used by the tutors, and other practitioners studied.


Criteria for Assessment. There are three aspects to the assessment:

1. GROUP PRESENTATION/CLASSWORK 50%

In assessing each student through class work and the individual contributions to the group presentation the examiners will want to see evidence of:

• Developing commitment and engagement with class work
• A willingness to engage with ideas through practical tasks and to contribute to discussion
• Effective development and use of acting skills, voice skills and movement skills explored within the course
• The ability to work effectively and co-operatively within the group

In assessing the work of the group performance the examiners will want to see evidence of:

• An ability to work co-operatively within a small group to present a short piece of devised theatre
• The application of techniques and methods introduced within the course or based on wider reading and study for the course
• Original and imaginative development of ideas and themes, allowing for a means of communication appropriate for the subject or concept chosen
• Adequate rehearsal and development of the scenario created

2. In assessing the group through oral examination (30%) the examiners will expect to see evidence of:

• A coherent concept and strategy for development of the piece
• An understanding of the processes involved, and apllication of these to rehearsal, division of work, responsibilities
• Research and exploration
• An awareness of group dynamic and the ability to solve problems arising in the group
• An understanding of the discipline and structures needed to create work within the time frame

3. In assessing the working notes (20%) the examiners are looking for evidence of:

• Evidence of individual reading, notation, study and reflection
• Character development notes
• Research related to the scenario
• Individual contributions to the writing, and to other aspects such as musical or visual aspects and the ability to use tangential and lateral thinking
• An understanding of the pieces' structure
• Organisational notes
• Self awareness: of the individual's contribution, strengths and weaknesses within the process
• Other preparatory written assignments and exercises completed

• To offer students the opportunity to encounter the skills and processes of creating theatre through devising at a mid-stage in their study so they may be able to reflect on their suitability and aptitude for this specialist discipline within theatre practice.
• To prepare them for practical assignments in the third year which would make use of devising skills