Module Identifier |
DR21810 |
Module Title |
DEVISING THEATRE : FROM IDEA TO ACTION |
Academic Year |
2004/2005 |
Co-ordinator |
Mrs Joan G Mills |
Semester |
Semester 2 |
Pre-Requisite |
Successful completion of part one drama. |
Mutually Exclusive |
PF20420 |
Course delivery |
Lecture | 10 Hours |
|
Practical | 20 Hours |
Assessment |
Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
Semester Assessment | Working notes | 20% |
Semester Assessment | Group presentation (15 minutes) | 50% |
Semester Assessment | Group oral examination (20 minutes) | 30% |
Supplementary Exam | Individual oral exam (10 minutes) | 30% |
Supplementary Assessment | Working notes | 20% |
Supplementary Assessment | Individual presentation (6 minutes) | 50% |
|
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
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Appreciate and appraise a range of methods for devising theatre texts
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Describe and evaluate the contribution of selected theatre companies and relevant practitioners skilled in the process of devising
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Produce a series of working notes under workshop conditions
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Work collabotatively in small groups to create,present and analyse a short piece of devised theatre work.
Brief description
The module will offer an introduction to the processes of devising theatre texts and scenarios, for a number of different theatre contexts. It will enable students to investigate and explore, in theory and practice, established methodologies and proven approaches to creating (as opposed to interpreting) theatre texts. It will also examine the relationship between the methodologies chosen and the contexts and purpose of the performances created.
Aims
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To offer students the opportunity to encounter the skills and processes of creating theatre through devising at a mid-stage in their study so they may be able to reflect on their suitability and aptitude for this specialist discipline within theatre practice.
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To prepare them for practical assignments in the third year which would make use of devising skills
Content
The module will be taught through a series of 10 one-hour lectures and 10 two-hour practical seminars led by Departmental staff. It is hoped to invite representatives and guest practitioners working in this field in Wales to contribute to the teaching programme. These would, of necessity, vary from year to year and may include Theatre Powys, Hi-jinks Theatre Company; Arad Goch; the National Youth theatre of Wales; Theatre Clwyd;and Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
The Lectures and practical seminars would focus on the following:-
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Definitions of devising
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Contexts of devising
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Strategies and methodologies of devising
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Time Management and structure
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Researching, improvisation, exercises and games
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Director led and edited creation
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Devising as a group
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Creating the text.
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Creating to order: commissioned devising
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Embracing the unexpected
Students will be encouraged to develop their own improvisation structures, exercises and creative strategies as well as learn from the approaches used by the tutors, and other practitioners studied.
Reading Lists
Books
Oddey, Alison (1994) Devising:A Practical and Theoretical Handbook
Routledge
Bogart, Anne (2001) A Director Prepares
Routledge
Spolin, Viola (2000) Improvisation for theTheatre
North Western University Press
Zinder, David Body-Voice-Imagination: A Training for the Actor
Flemming, Michael (2003) Starting Drama Teaching
David Fulton Publishers
Linklater, Kirstin (1994) Freeing the Natural Voice
Quite Specific Media Group
Pisk, Litz (1998) The Actor and His Body
Methuen
Edwards, Betty (1993) Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Harper Collins
Johnstone, Chris (1998) House of Games: Making Theatre for Everyday Life
Nick Hern Books
Goat Island: School Book 2
Etchells, Tim (2000) Certain Fragments Text and Writings on Performance
Routledge
Clements, Paul (1993) The Improvised Play:The Work of Mike Leigh
Methuen
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5