DR21810 - DEVISING THEATRE : FROM IDEA TO ACTION

Module Identifier

DR21810

Module Title

DEVISING THEATRE : FROM IDEA TO ACTION

Academic Year

2006/2007

Co-ordinator

Mrs Joan G Mills

Semester

Semester 2

Other staff

Mrs Joan G Mills, Mr Nick Strong, Mr David J Blumfield, Mr Simon J Banham, Dr Alison Forsyth

Pre-Requisite

Successful completion of part one drama. Optional for Single Honours students only

Mutually Exclusive

PF20420

Course delivery

Lecture

1 hour lecture followed by a 2 hour practical class

Practical

1 hour lecture followed by a 2 hour practical class

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Exam	Group oral examination (20 minutes)	30%
Semester Exam	EXAM/ASSESSMENT Group presentation/ Classwork (Max 15 minutes)	50%
Semester Assessment	Working notes.	20%
Supplementary Exam	Individual oral exam (10 minutes)	30%
Supplementary Assessment	Individual presentation/ Classwork (6 minutes)	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Working notes	20%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Appreciate and appraise a range of methods for devising theatre texts
Describe and evaluate the contribution of selected theatre companies and relevant practitioners skilled in the process of devising
Produce a series of working notes under workshop conditions
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

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.
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:-

Definitions of devising
Contexts of devising
Strategies and methodologies of devising
Time Management and structure
Researching, improvisation, exercises and games
Director led and edited creation
Devising as a group
Creating the text.
Creating to order: commissioned devising
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.

Module Skills

Problem_solving	Problem solving skills are fundamental to the successful employment of devising strategies. Strategies will be addressed and experienced during all parts of the module
Research skills	Will be developed through the collection of information necessary to complete the assignments for the module.
Communication	Written communication skills are developed through a series of working notes and script exercises. Oral communication skills through seminar discussion, participation in exercises and performance and are also assessed through the oral presentation
Improving own Learning and Performance	Students will required to reflect and analyse their level of creative achievement attained individually and in the small group presentaion
Team work	Much of the work is carried out through group collaboration
Information Technology	Students will be expected to employ IT resources where possible and appropriate
Application of Number	Not developed in this module
Personal Development and Career planning	Personal development and career planning skills will not be explicitly developed through this module; however, many of the generic skills developed through the practical and written work of this module will have significant transferability to a wide range of career contexts
Subject Specific Skills	Yes. It will further and develop the students¿ understanding of the potential of theatre as a means of expression in the community and increase their written, communication and performance skills.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Greig, Noel (2005) Playwriting Routledge
Bogart, Anne (2001) A Director Prepares Routledge
Clements, Paul (1993) The Improvised Play:The Work of Mike Leigh Methuen
Edwards, Betty (1993) Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Harper Collins
Etchells, Tim (2000) Certain Fragments Text and Writings on Performance Routledge
Flemming, Michael (2003) Starting Drama Teaching David Fulton Publishers
Goat Island: School Book 2
Johnstone, Chris (1998) House of Games: Making Theatre for Everyday Life Nick Hern Books
Linklater, Kirstin (1994) Freeing the Natural Voice Quite Specific Media Group
Oddey, Alison (1994) Devising:A Practical and Theoretical Handbook Routledge
Pisk, Litz (1998) The Actor and His Body Methuen
Spolin, Viola (2000) Improvisation for theTheatre North Western University Press
Zinder, David Body-Voice-Imagination: A Training for the Actor

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5