Module Identifier DR31820  
Module Title SCHOOL'S SHAKESPEARE PROJECT  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Mr Richard Cheshire  
Semester Semester 1  
Pre-Requisite DR21510 Single and Joint Honours Drama students who have attained at least 60% in DR21510 may apply for entry to this module.  
Course delivery Workshop   Intensive rehearsals, workshops and public performances.  
Assessment Workshop development   Workshop development and progress   30%  
  Performance assessment     40%  
  Rehearsal process   Contribution to rehearsal process   30%  

Aims


- To experience working intensively as part of the Schools' Shakespeare Project at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, either as a student-actor/actress, designer or member of the stage management team, on interpreting a specific Shakespearean text for performances to young people.
- To contribute ideas and respond to direction from both the staff director and his/her assistant directors, and work constructively, both `inside? and `outside? the rehearsal room, within the guidelines and given circumstances, towards the collective presentation of the project in performance.
- To work in small groups under the guidance of the workshop leader/s on the preparation and presentation of workshops, specifically aimed for young audiences.
- (Where relevant), to work in a company with some professional actors in the cast.


Learning Outcomes:


Typically, upon completion of this module a student should be able:


- To demonstrate an intelligent awareness of the challenges which a Shakespeare text offers in the context of performance, directed towards primary or secondary school students.
- To participate in the creation of the public performance of the text, using appropriate acting, design or stage-management skills
- To realise and organise the conceptual procedures appropriate for the creation and presentation of educational workshops on the text.


Content:


Students will work on the Schools' Shakespeare project at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. An experienced director and design tutor will lead the project. During the workshops, rehearsals and preparatory sessions, students will consider the challenges of interpreting the text chosen and devise and present appropriate workshops for the young audiences attending the project. They will also fulfill their assignment as an actor, designer or stage-manager. After the workshops and performances are completed there will be a post-production discussion, during which students will be encouraged to analyse the process experienced and assess their personal contribution to the project.

Reading Lists

Books
Students should read the set text chosen and consult the relevant volume of both Shakespeare in Performance (Manchester University Press) and Text in Performance (Macmillan)..
** Essential Reading
Barton, John. (1984) Playing Shakespeare. London: Methuen
Aers, Lesley and Wheale, Nigel. (1991) Shakespeare in the Changing Curriculum. Routledge
Marowitz, Charles. (1991) Recycling Shakespeare. Macmillan
Linklater, Christian. (1992) Freeing Shakespeare's Voice. Theatre Communications Group
The Department has a supplementary booklet recommending reading lists for all practical modules.