Module Information

This module is taught through a series of 10 x 3 hour practical workshops in which students will be asked to investigate and experiment with different rehearsal techniques and methodologies appropriate for investigating text in performance. 8 of these will be conducted by Joan Mills and 2 by Richard Cheshire. Integral to this module is a balance of staff and student centred learning. The examination duologue and monolgue pieces will not be directed by staff, but worked on independently by the student. Only the pieces for the directing module in which the actors participate will be directed, by the allocated directing students. The workshops will focus on exploring a variety of approaches to text which may then be applied by the student in working on the texts. In addition to the regular workshop/classes, nearer the end of the process, each group will also experience 2 intensive workshop sessions designed to prepare the groups for the site specific examination period.

Workshops will include the following:

• The voice: safety; understanding the vocal mechanism; pitch, range, timbre, resonance, volume, expression.
• The body: posture, balance, appropriate tension, release, support.
• Co-ordination and flexibility.
• The connection of breath to emotional impulse and language.
• Presence: physical action; image; being; the sub-text; tempo rhythm.
• Spontaneity: response, listening, working with others.
• Analysing the action, thought-to-thought analysis of the text within the given circumstances, the hidden stage-directions.
• Heightened language, rhythm, metre, structure and imagery.
• Making the text one's own, avoidance of cliche, avoidance of generalisation, being in the moment.
• Listening, acoustics and space.

Criteria for Assessment

In assessing the monolgues (30%) the examiners will expect to see evidence of:

1. The ability to identify, choose and learn a text within the guidelines of the project.
2. An understanding of the given circumstances and original context within which the monologue occurs.
3. Inventive application of the techniques and sources introduced during classes.
4. The exploration, creation and sustaining of a personal reading, and the avoidance of cliche or received ideas.
5. An appropriate, imaginative choice of site in which to perform and the use of the site and its qualities.
6. Co-ordination of voice and movement which allows the actor to meet the emotional demands of the piece.
7. The ability to be inventive, take risks, be spontaneous, improvise when the opportunity arises.
8. The use of modes of exposition appropriate to the theatrical styles and genre of the piece chosen.

The speech chosen should be no shorter than 2 minutes and no longer than 3.5 minutes. They may be taken from a play of any style or period.


In assessing the duologues (30%) the examiners will consider the following criteria:

1. The ability to work conscientiously and responsibly with a partner on a chosen extract within the timescale and guidelines of the project.
2. The ability to apply methods introduced during the classes to the chosen extracts paying particular attention to Peter Hall's guidelines for working with Shakespeare: the structure of the language and the hidden clues in the text for the performer.
3. The partnership: listening, responding and communicating with other actors; exploring the 'given circumstances', structure and rhythms of the text through the partnership; making shared artistic choices and decisions.

Please note the total time for the duologue is 6 minutes. Students should feel free to edit the extracts where necessary in order to comply with the time limit. The duologue partners will be selected during the first acting class.
Although staff will explore methods of working on shakespeare's verse and prose in class and will give guidance to the possible choices inherent in each of the chosen extracts, staff will not give individual feedback for the duologues. Part of the assessment is the ability to make shared artistic choices and apply the methods without specific feedback from staff. We want you to work, be brave and courageous enough to trust your own instincts and responses to the text and learn from your mistakes.


In assessing the Directors' Projects (15%) the examiners will expect to see evidence of:

1. The ability to take direction from fellow students and create a convincing characterisation within the framework and guidelines given.
2. The ability to listen and to communicate with fellow actors.
3. A willingness to work collaboratively and co-operatively.
4. The ability to be responsive to a range of alternative acting and rehearsal methodologies.

Please note the total time for each directors' project is 7 minute. Richard will see these projects near the end of rehearsals, before they are taken to Gregynog and give feedback to the directors and actors.

EXAMINATIONS will take place at Gregynog Hall between May 8th - 12th 2009. The approximate cost is £35 per day.

In assessing the class work (25%) the examiners will consider the following criteria:

1. Commitment and engagement with the work in classes.
2. Responsibility and self-discipline.
3. Willingness to work co-operatively in small and larger groups.
4. The ability to be responsive to a range of alternative acting and rehearsal methodologies.
5. The ability to demonstrate a conceptual and practical understanding of the potential challenges of working in different theatrical styles.