Module Information

Module Identifier
DR24710
Module Title
THEATRE SKILLS IN THE COMMUNITY
Academic Year
2009/2010
Co-ordinator
Mr David J Blumfield
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Sucessful Completion of Part One Drama This module is a pre-requisite for DR33320; Stage and Production Management Practice

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Oral proposal and interview (20 minutes)  60%
Semester Assessment Practical demonstration (15 minutes)  30%
Semester Assessment Create a CV and covering letter pertinent to the skills of a community artist.  10%
Supplementary Assessment As for semester assessments. Should it not be possible to participate in a group for the practical test and demonstration the department will devise alternative assignments in conjunction with the Director of Teaching and Learning and the Module Coordinator.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

  • Create and deliver a proposal for a theoretical concept, strategy and methodology for a local community project.
  • Lead a fifteen minute practical acting session relevant to the proposed project with a selected group of participants.
  • Create a detailed CV and covering letter outlining your relevant skills.

Content

Lecture Demonstrations and practical workshops will include:-

  1. The role of the community artist and the context of the work: expectations, the given circumstances, funding and resources, working with committees, making the work accessible, stimulating interest, advertising, publicity and marketing, health and safety issues, police checks, child and data protection.
  2. Leading the group: understanding group dynamics, rhythms of work, timing and scheduling of projects.
  3. Acting skills and techniques: working with voice, body and space
  4. Directing skills and techniques: improvisation, games and basic character exercises.
  5. The backstage environment: rehearsal and performance, strategies, procedures and common systems.
  6. Lighting for a simple rig: equipment and its use, identifying lanterns, rigging, focusing, plotting and board operation.
  7. Rigging and operating a basic sound system: recording and editing.
  8. Documenting the process: using video equipment and projection
  9. Designing: facilitating basic stage and costume design
  10. Appraising the event: the future?
Further lecture and practical material will be introduced during the module. This will include the project criteria for the oral proposal/interview.

Brief description

This is a vocational module which will offer an opportunity to gain basic competence in the primary theatre skills needed when working in a range of community environments. It will include an introduction to basic technical resources: the use of theatre sound and lighting equipment and use of video recording, editing and projecting. The use of basic acting, voice, movement and directing techniques, simple stage and costume design, publicity and marketing strategies will also be explored in the practical workshops and lecture demonstrations. General issues encountered when working in community environments, such as health and safety, equal opportunities, time and personnel management, group dynamics, and a sensitivity to the community environment in which the work is to be conducted will also be addressed. Teaching will be through a series of Lecture demonstrations and practical classes.

Aims

  • To enable students to explore a variety of issues encountered within the community environment.
  • To provide student with the experience of leading a community workshop
  • To develop and evaluate personal skills.
  • To encourage potential career planning.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The module places emphasis on funding and resources. The oral proposal requires the student to account for all relevant costs of their project. The field of budget management is an integral feature of teaching.
Communication Teaching focuses closely on the development of communicaiton skills throughout the module. Emphasis is placed on articulate verbal responses to a given task. The oral examination requires the student to present a coherent and detailed verbal proposal. For the practical demonstration, students are encouraged to communicate with the participants clearly and sensitively.
Improving own Learning and Performance Self assessment is an important feature of the module. During practical classes students are encouraged to function as observing participants. This will enable them to develop a deeper sense of self awareness. Engaging and observation are key elements of the module.
Information Technology This is not taught directly, but competence in this field is encouraged for the written element of the module and for research.
Personal Development and Career planning This is a vocational module. Students are provided with the opportunity to explore the possibility of embarking on a potential career within the community environment. Constructing a CV and an appropriately worded letter for a potential employer is addressed on the module.
Problem solving Effective problem solving is an essential feature of the module - particularly for the practical demonstration element. The ability to deal effectively and patiently with any problems/ questions which may arise during the workshop is an important part of the assessment.
Research skills Students are encouraged to research the role of the community artist and to examine the work and function of varous existing establishments within the Arts. Visiting lecturers provide students with a variety of resources for researching community arts organizations.
Subject Specific Skills Students are taught a range of essential issues. These include: health and safety, data protection, child safety and budgeting and marketing. As the practical demonstration requires the student to conduct a workshop, teaching will focus on enabling the student to gain good communication and leadership skills.
Team work This is an integral feature of the module. Practical classes demand the ability to work effectively within a group. Collaborative skills are also required for the practical demonstration. Teaching focuses closely on the importance of effective team work.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Barker, Clive (1977) Theatre games: A New Aproach to Drama Training Methuen Primo search Boal, Agusto (1992) Games for Actors and Non-Actors trans Adrian Jackson Routledge Primo search Bond, Daniel Stage Management - The Gentle Art A and C black Primo search De Mallett Burgess, Thomas and Skillbeck, Nicholas (2000) The Singing and Acting handbook - games and exercises for the performenr Routledge Primo search Flemming, Michael (2003) Starting Drama Teaching David Fulton Publishers Primo search Fox, John Engineers of the Imagination Methuen Primo search Hold, Michael Stage Design and Properties Schirmer Books Theatre Manuals Primo search Jellicoe, Ann (1987) Community Plays - How to put them on Methuen Primo search Johnstone, Chris (1998) House of Games: Making the Theatre for Everyday Life Nick Hern Books Primo search Linklater, Kirsten (1994) Freeing the Natural Voice Quite Specific Media Group Primo search Palin, The Essential Handbook Macmillan Primo search Rodenberg, Patsy The Right to Speak Methuen Primo search Taylor, Don 1996 (1996) Directing Plays A & C Black Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5