Module Identifier DR39310  
Module Title REFLECTION ON PRACTICE  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Mr David W Kendell  
Semester Available semesters 1 and 2  
Other staff Mrs Joan G Mills, Mr Simon J Banham  
Pre-Requisite A minimum of 20 credits of appropriate practically-based Theatre Studies or Scenography modules.  
Course delivery Lecture   6 x 1 hour  
  Seminars / Tutorials   5 x 1 hour per project  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment 2500 word notebook  60%
Semester Assessment 1 twenty minute individual oral presentation 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 40%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate a critical understanding of their own practical theatre experience, together with an objective self-assessment of their contribution to the production/project undertaken

Demonstrate a coherent analysis of those theatrical concepts, ideas, approaches and methodologies which are of specific relevance to their own practical assignment(s)

Show a critical understanding of the directorial concept and genre chosen for the project(s)

Aims

This module is compulsory for Single Honours students in Semester 2 and compulsory for Joint Honours students who undertake a DR practical module. I.e. DR31720, DR31820, DR31920, DR32820, DR32420, DR33620 or DR33320. Those who have not undertaken practical modules are not permitted to take this module. It is NOT compulsory for Performance students.

- To provide students with an opportunity to reflect upon their practical work and to analyse their creative achievement.
- To analyse and document their process in written form.
- To prepare for a 20-minute oral presentation during which students will discuss the efficacy of the practical concepts and methodologies encountered during their participation in the Department's practical semester.

Brief description

This modules gives students the opportunity to analyse and reflect upon the practical production work which they have engaged in during the first semester of the third year. During the practical projects students will keep log-books documenting the process; these will form the basis for them to draw upon in writing a working notebook about directorial and design concepts, acting styles, rehearsal methodologies, and/or production processes (depending upon their own experiences and pathways through the projects). As well as having the opportunity to articulate these findings in a written assignment, students will be asked to discuss them orally.

Lectures will include a critical analysis of the methodologies chosen for selected productions and will discuss the efficacy and appropriateness of production choices made. Where appropriate, references will also be made to production choices in the staging of past performances and refer to key directorial concepts. Two of the lectures will prepare students for their oral and written assignments.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Background
Barba, Eugenio (1995) The Paper Canoe London and New York: Routledge
Brook, Peter (1998) Threads of Time: A Memoir London: Methuen
Carnicke, Sharon Marie (1998) Stanislavski: A Biography London: harwood Academic Publishers, Gordon & Breach Intl.
Chaikin, J (1991) The Presence of the Actor New York, Theatre Communications Group
Chekhov, Michael (1991) On the Technique of Acting New York: Harper Perennial
Clark, Max Stafford (1990) Letters to George - an account of a rehearsal. London: Nick Hearn Books
Hodge, Alison (2000) Twentieth Century Actor Training London: Routledge
Hornby, R (1992) The End of Acting: A Radical View New York: Applause
Innes, Christopher (1998) Edward Gordon Craig: A Vision of Theatre Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Press
Moston, D. (1993) Coming to Terms with Acting New York: Drama Book
Schechner, Richard (1988) Performance Theory New York & London: Routledge
Schechner, Richard and Wolford, Lisa (1997) The Grotowski Sourcebook New York & London: Routledge
Thompson, P and Sacks, G (1994) The Cambridge Companion to Brecht. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Toporkov, Vasily (1979) Stanislavski in Rehearsal: The Final Years New York: Theatre Arts Books
Zarrilli, Philip B (1995) Acting Reconsidered London: Routledge

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6