Module Identifier DR33430  
Module Title DIRECTING PRACTICE 2  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Mrs Joan G Mills  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Mr Richard A D Cheshire  
Pre-Requisite DR33620 , DR22910  
Course delivery Lecture   5 x 1 hour lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   5 x 1 hr seminars  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Practical Assessment of 2 projects presented publicly (each 20-25 mins) ,70%
Semester Assessment Oral examination (30 mins)30%
Supplementary Assessment As with most of the level 3 modules of this kind offered in the Department, it is not possible for the students to completely re-sit any components missed. However, in accordance with established Departmental practice, if a student is unable to complete their participation in the production and the workshops for accepted medical reasons, then an essay requiring reflection upon those components of work which were not completed may be set in lieu of those components. The scale of this essay will be determined by the Director of Teaching according to the percentage of incomplete work (to a maximum of 5000 words). In the case of any problems, then the Director of Teaching will consult with the Dean.70%
Supplementary Assessment Resit the Oral examination (30 mins)30%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
1. Independently organise and realise two short theatre projects of contrasting style, from an initial informed choice of script and cast, through the rehearsal process to public presentation
2. To demonstrate a practical grasp of a range of appropriate rehearsal techniques and approaches to staging texts, and demonstrate the ability to communicate successfully with a team of actors and production staff
3. Justify artistic decisions made and working practices adopted during the rehearsal period with regard to the chosen source material
4. Reflect upon, evaluate and criticise the completed projects, and to assess the effectiveness of the rehearsal methodologies employed by means of a 30-minute oral examination
   

Brief description

This module is restricted to students who have demonstrated a developing ability in directing, to specialize and extend their knowledge and practice of the advanced skills, methodologies and approaches which are required for directing text from page to stage. It is open to those students who have shown particular talent and aptitude towards the art and craft of directing through their study of directing practice in DR22910 and DR33620. Students interested in taking this module will be required to prepare for a twenty minute interview at which they should discuss their ideas, objectives and strategies for directing two contrasting extracts from different theatrical styles in an approved Departmental theatre space. This interview will be conducted by two experienced Departmental practitioners who will assess the viability and merits of each proposal. If successful, students will be given the opportunity to cast and direct fellow students in the two contrasting dramatic extracts of between 20 and 25 minutes duration each, for public performance in one of the Department's performance spaces. At the end of the rehearsal and performance process students will then be required to critically reflect on their experience in the light of professional feedback and self analysis.

Aims

The Department recognizes the importance of providing a practical and theoretical study of directing practice for theatre. There is an increased demand for director training in British Universities and Aberystwyth's links and existing relationships with theatre practitioners and companies from both within Wales and the United Kingdom, means that it is well placed to build upon its growing reputation in this important field of study. By re-structuring the current level 3 20 credit module to 30 credits we aim to increase the range and depth of study of directing practice and bring this module into line with the other 30 credit options offered to Single Honours students in their final year.

Content

The module provides students with the opportunity to select, cast and direct two 20-30 minute extracts within a supervised context, and demonstrate an intelligent understanding of the playwrights' intentions and dramatic methods. A preparatory lecture will be followed by a series of lectures and seminars, practical tutorials within the rehearsal environment and individual tutorials conducted privately, without the performers present.
Students will create an artistic concept for their chosen material, and select appropriate rehearsal techniques and exercises in order to realise these concepts in performance. The essay will be a preparation for practice and cause the student to research the playwrights, texts and consider the appropriate directorial approaches for these texts in detail
This module requires each student to work intensively in the rehearsal room for up to 15 hours a week, with their chosen actors but without the pressure of the design or technical process.
They will need to evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen rehearsal methodology in the light of their actors' achievement, criticism and comments from the course tutors, and will be given the opportunity to discuss the potential career opportunities for aspiring professional theatre directors. Each student will reflect on the process through a viva-voce examination.

Lecture Schedule
Lecture 1: The choice of texts: working within the given circumstances. Peter Brook's approach.
Lecture 2: Peter Hall and the casting process. The Director/Actor relationship; managing the actors.
Lecture 3: The rehearsal process: organisation, inspiration and communication.
Lecture 4: The director's relationship with the designer: the designing director, Charles Marowitz.
Lecture 5: Experimenting with genre and style.
Seminar Schedule
The seminars will discuss the concepts and topics introduced in the lectures. Students will receive an appropriate reading list for the lecture and seminar content at the beginning of the module. These will be specifically tailored to student choices for their projects.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6