Module Identifier DR10320  
Module Title MODES OF PRACTICE: THEATRE  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Mr David J Blumfield  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Pre-Requisite Registration for Single Honours Drama or for Joint Honours with a subject other than Scenographic Studies or Performance Studies  
Co-Requisite DR10120 , DR10220 Incompatible with SG10320, PF10320  
Course delivery Practical   40 Hours 20 X 2 HOURS  
  Lecture   10 Hours 10 X 1 HOUR LECTURES (Semester one)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Creation and presentation of a tutor-led, semester 2, dramatic/textbased group project. 50%
Semester Assessment Assessed participation and individual contribution to semester 1 practical work30%
Semester Assessment Working notebook / refletive journal, semesters 1 and 2. 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 20%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Recognise and employ a range of rehearsal methodologies within specified presentation practices

Demonstrate awareness and experience of these methodologies within the process of a practical investigation

Employ and develop collaborative skills and awareness within the processes of group practice

Reflect critically upon the process and outcome of a practical investigation

Students should be able to recognise a range of performance and scenographic methodologies, but will not be assessed on these methodologies.

Aims

The aims of the module are

  1. To introduce a range of rehearsal methodologies and to apply and test these within a presentation/performance environment
  2. To provide students with the experience of undertaking a process of practical investigation
  3. To encourage students to take responsibility for collaboration and group work within the context of workshops and presentation
  4. To enable students to analyse their own experience of the practical processes investigated

Brief description

The module consists of a introductory lecture series, theatre visits and practical classes in Semester 1. Lectures will focus upon an initial introduction to the broad spectrum of alternative and international theatre, performance and scenographic practice. Practical classes will introduce physical and vocal training methods, improvisation, character development and approaches to text. In Semester 2, the students are given the opportunity to engage in and develop modes of practice explored, through participation in the interpretation, rehearsal and presentation of a tutor-led text based drama project. Project work will be presented before an audience of peers, and critically reflected upon through the individual working notebook. Students will maintain their group allocations across the duration of the module, and semester 2 project work will build directly upon principles and methodologies introduced within their semester 1 practical. This module is compulsory for single honours Drama students, and optional for joint honours Drama students ( except for joint honours with Scenographic Studies or Performance Studies who will follow SG10320 or PF10320 respectively ).

Lecture sessions may include:

1. Introduction
2. `What is this thing Performance??
3. `A few analytical tools.?
4. `Out East.?
5. `Once upon a time in Europe.?
6. `In America.?
7. `Post-Dramatic.?
8. `Space.?
9. `Time.?
10. `Body.?

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Schechner, Richard (2002) Performance Studies - an introduction Routledge
Mirzoeff, Nicholas (1999) An introduction to visual culture Routledge
Barba, Eugenio (1991) A Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology - The Secret Arts of the Performer Routledge / CPR
** Recommended Background
Rodenburg, Patsy (1997) The Actor Speaks Methuen
Berry, Cicely (1993) Voice and the Actor. 2nd edition London: Virgin Publishing
Hagen, Uta. (1991) A Challenge for the Actor New York: Macmillan
Callow, Simon (1991) Acting in Restoration Comedy New York: Applause Theatre Books
Berry, Cicely (2001) Text in Action. 2nd edition London: Virgin Publishing
Johnston, Keith (1999) Impro for Storytellers: Theatre Sports and Art of Making Things Happen Routledge
Linklater, Kristin Freeing the Natural Voice Drama Books

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4