Module Identifier DR22910  
Module Title THE PRINCIPLES OF DIRECTING DRAMATIC TEXTS  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Mr Richard A D Cheshire  
Semester Semester 2  
Pre-Requisite Successful completion of Part 1 Drama. This module is available to single honours Drama students only., DR10220 , DR10320  
Course delivery Practical   20 Hours 10 x 2 hours  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Essay: 2000 word essay  40%
Semester Assessment Practical presentation at Gregynog For information on due dates for submission of assessed work, please refer to the departmental web pages at http://www.aber.ac.uk/tfts/duedates.shtml 60%

Learning outcomes

Typically, upon completion of this module, the student will be able:

- To demonstrate an intelligent awareness of the role of the stage director in contemporary theatre practice.
- To use appropriate methodologies in the analysis of a theatre text from a stage director?s point of view.
- To direct rehearsals and offer appropriate assistance to actors in the creation of a short theatre extract, presented before peers.


Aims

- To introduce students to twentieth century developments in directing practice for the European stage.
- To introduce students to the basic principles and methodologies of directing theatrical texts.
- To provide opportunities for students to practice such principles and methodologies, under supervision, in the context of a rehearsal environment.

Content

- A historical survey tracing the development of the role of the director since 1850, focusing on the work of Saxe-Meiningen, Antoine, Stanislavski, Meyerhold, Michael Chekhov, Brecht, Peter Stein, Peter Brook. Jonathan Miller, and Katie Mitchell.
- Practical exploration of directing methodologies and techniques, including composing the stage picture, developing the through-line of action, intentions and actions, characterization through both psychological and physical exploration.
- An opportunity to work independently on the selection, rehearsal and presentation of a short play extract, involving up to three actors, of between six and eight minutes duration, at Gregynog.

Students will be expected to contribute approximately #50 towards the cost of accommodation and food at Gregynog.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
Delgado & Heritage (eds.), (1996) In Contact with the Gods Manchester University Press
Taylor, Don, (1996) Directing Plays D & C Black
Bartow, A. (1988) The Director's Voice Theatre Communications Group
Braun, Edward, (1982) The Director and the Stage Methuen
Brook, Peter (1972) The Empty Space Penguin
Hodge, Alison (1999) Twentieth Century Actor Training Routledge
Hodge, Francis (1982) Play Directing, Analysis, Communication, and Style Eaglewood Cliffs, N.J.
Mitter, Shomit (1992) Systems of Rehearsal
** Recommended Text
Brady, David and Williams, David (1988) Director's Theatre Macmillan
Cole, Toby and Chinoy, Helen Kirch (1976) Directors on Directing Indianapolis
Gorchakov, Michael A (1954) Stanislavsky Directs
Giannachi, Gabriella (ed.) (1999) On Directing Faber and Faber
Mackintosh, Ian (1993) Architecture, Actor and Audience Routledge
Miller, J (1986) Subsequent Performances
Roose-Evans, James (1984) Experimental Theatre from Stanislavsky to Peter Brook Routledge

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5