Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Research in practice presentation 20% Workshop development and rehearsal process 20% The Active Manifestation and Development of Rehearsal Work in Public Performance | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Research in Practice Presentation. The active manifestation and development of rehearsal work in public performance 20% Workshop Development 20% Rehearsal Process | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Assessed Oral Examination Assessed oral examination. Students are encouraged to keep a working notebook recording significant moments of discovery and development during the rehearsal/performance process. This is not formally assessed but may be referred to during the oral examination. | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resit Written submission to be agreed with Director of Teaching and Learning. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Use, develop and enhance the key skills introduced in the Departmental Level 2 practical Drama modules, in the creation of role(s) in the context of a major Departmental production;
- Learn how to respond to direction from both the staff director and his/her assistant directors, work constructively, both 'inside' and 'outside' the rehearsal space, within the guidelines and given circumstances, and show the ability to work towards the collective presentation of the text in performance;
- Apply and sustain the skills required for the execution of specific roles during successive live performances;
- Reflect critically on their contribution to both the preparatory rehearsal and performance processes.
Brief description
Students will work on an approved Departmental production of a dramatic text during a seven-week intensive period arranged during the first semester of the students' third year. They will be allocated specific roles integral to the performance and/or production team. The production will be directed by an experienced staff director or an approved guest practitioner. The production will be presented to the public as part of the Department's 'practical semester'. The production will be designed to develop and enhance the skills, methodologies and rehearsal techniques encountered during Level 2 pre-requisite modules offered to Drama students during their second year. An integral part of the rehearsal process will include a research in practice presentation by each individual student following the module. Students who wish to act in the project must normally have attained at least 55% in the relevant pre-requisite acting modules or have convinced the assessors of their aptitude and ability to take this module.
Content
These projects will be performed either in the Aberystwyth Arts Centre or in one of the Departmental performance venues or an appropriate site-specific location. There will be a total of five public performances of the production which will give an opportunity for parents, friends and members of the public to view the practical work of the Department.
During the rehearsal process, students will be advised to keep a working notebook documenting significant developments and challenges they have encountered (non-assessed). At the end of the project, students will participate in an oral examination during which they will analyse and appraise their experiences of the module. During this examination process, students may refer to their working notebooks if they wish.
Aims
Students will be allocated as either actors, members of the stage management or design team and/or assistants to the staff director or combination of the above and work intensively for seven weeks on an approved Departmental project. These allocations will be chosen and agreed through a formal interview with the Module Co-ordinator and Senior Production Manager during the Spring term of the student's second year as part of the APPR process.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | The development of communication skills is intrinsic to all aspects of performance. The ability to interact effectively with members of the company and other people encountered during preparation process. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Progress throughout the rehearsal process and the ability to reflect critically on individual achievement attained. |
| Information Technology | Students may choose to make use of on-line materials to locate data and documentation relevant to their research, but this skill will not be separately assessed. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Personal development and career planning will not be explicitly developed through this module. However, many of the generic skills developed through the practical work of this module will have significant transferability to a wide range of contexts. |
| Problem solving | These skills are developed as the students respond to the different challenges that emerge during the rehearsal and performance process for the project. |
| Research skills | These skills are developed through preparation for rehearsals and the workshops, although these skills are not directly assessed. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The module will enhance and develop the student¿s understanding of the potential of theatre as a means of communicating with specific audiences. |
| Team work | The development of team working skills is intrinsic to all group performance situations. Team leadership skills also form an important part in the assessment. |
Reading List
Recommended BackgroundAlfreds, Mike (2008) Different Every Night Nick Hern Books Primo search Barba, Eugenio (1991) A Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology - The Secret Arts of the Performer Routledge Primo search Barker, Clive (1989) Theatre Games Methuen Primo search Barton, John (1984) Playing Shakespeare Methuen Primo search Bartow, Arthur (ed) (2008) Handbook of Acting Techniques Nick Hern Books Primo search Berry, Cicely (2001) Text in Action 2nd Virgin Publishing Primo search Berry, Cicely (1993) Voice and the Actor 2nd Virgin Publishing Primo search Boal, Augusto (1992) Games for Actors and Non Actors Routledge Primo search Caldarone, Marina (2004) Actions: The Actor's Thesaurus Nick Hern Books Primo search Callery, Dymphna (2007) Through the Body Nick Hern Books Primo search Callow, Simon (1991) Acting in Restoration Comedy Applause Theatre Books Primo search Campbell, Patrick and Adrian Kear (2001) Psychoanalysis and Performance Routledge Primo search Carey, David and Rebecca Clark Carey (2008) Vocal Arts Workbook and DVD A&C Black/Methuen Primo search Chamberlain, Franc (2003) Michael Chekhov Routledge Primo search Chekhov, Michael (2005) The Path of the Actor Routledge Primo search Chekhov, Michael (2002) To the Actor: On the Technique of Acting Routledge Primo search Cook, Orlanda (2004) Singing With Your Own Voice Routledge Primo search Davies, D. Garfield and Antony F Jahm (2004) Care of the Professional Voice Routledge Primo search De Mallet Burgess, Thomas and Nicholas Skilbeck (2000) The Singing and Acting Handbook Routledge Primo search Deer, Joe and Rocco Del Vera (2008) Acting in Musical Theatre Routledge Primo search Dennis, Anne (2007) The Articulate Body: The Physical Training of the Actor Nick Hern Books Primo search Donnellan, Declan (2007) The Actor and the Target Nick Hern Books Primo search Hagen, Uta (1991) A Challendge for the Actor Nick Hern Books Primo search Hall, Peter (2003) Shakespeare's Advice for the Players Oberon Books Primo search Hodge, Alison (1999) Twentieth Century Actor Training Routledge Primo search Houseman, Barbara (2008) Tackling Text and Subtext Nick Hern Books Primo search Huxley, Michael and Noel Witts (Eds) (1996) The Twentieth Century Performance Reader Routledge Primo search Kayes, Gillyanne (2004) Singing and the Actor Routledge Primo search Linklater, Kristin (2006) Freeing the Natural Voice Nick Hern Books Primo search Machlin, Evangeline (2006) Dialects for the Stage Routledge Primo search Merlin, Bella (2003) Konstantyn Stanislavsky Routledge Primo search Merlin, Bella (2007) The Complete Stanislavsky Toolkit Nick Hern Books Primo search Moseley, Nick (2006) Acting and Reacting: Tools for the Modern Actor Routledge Primo search Richards, Thomas (1995) At Work with Grotowski on Physical Actions Routledge Primo search Rodenburg, Patsy (1998) The Actor Speaks: The Voice and the Performer Methuen Primo search Scales, Prunella and Timothy West (2007) So You Want to be an Actor? Nick Hern Books Primo search Stafford Clark, Max Letters to George Nick Hern Books Primo search Stanislavski, Constantin (2004) An Actors Handbook Routledge Primo search Walter, Harriet (2007) Other People's Shoes Nick Hern Books Primo search Zarrilli, Phillip (1995) Acting (Re) Considered Routledge Primo search Zarrilli, Phillip (2008) Psychophysical Acting: An Intercultural Approach After Stanislavski Routledge Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6