Module Information

Module Identifier
TP19820
Module Title
Theatre Technologies
Academic Year
2018/2019
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Workshop 20 x 2 Hour Workshops
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 1 day course concluding in a pass/fail test.  Successful completion of IOSH health and safety course.  20%
Semester Assessment 7 Hours   Group Presentation (20 minutes) and realization  within the one week intensive studio technical exploration.  60%
Semester Assessment Design Portfolio and media documentation.  20%
Supplementary Assessment Internal Health and Safety Test (1 hour)  20%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Individual Practical Test  60%
Supplementary Assessment Design Portfolio and media documentation.  20%

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Develop and apply appropriate technologies and technical skills in the context of contemporary theatre and performance.

2. Work collaboratively as part of an ensemble and recognise the importance of teamwork in the pursuit of common goals within a workshop environment.

3. Understand and begin to use the specific and relevant management systems and structures, equipment, processes of exploration, technologies and software aimed at achieving the realization of creative aims.

4 Demonstrate an understanding of safe working and risk management principles in a live performance context.

5. Acquire and develop relevant technical vocabulary.

Brief description

This module explores and analyses contemporary practice in performance technology and its application in a range of scenographic and theatrical contexts. It encourages students to recognise, develop and apply appropriate technologies and technical skills in the context of contemporary performance and to develop a clear understanding of technology as a tool in creative processes rather than as an end in itself.

Content

Course Delivery:

Practicals: 10 x 2 hour Workshop sessions
10 x 2 hour staff led Development Labs (mixed mode group seminar/supervised practice)
1 x 8 hour intensive practical studio based exploration

This module will introduce students to specific and relevant management systems and structures, equipment, processes of exploration, technologies, equipment and software aimed at achieving the realisation of creative aims in theatre, performance and scenography. The first 5 weeks of the module will focus on skills based workshops where students will be given focused and tailored tuition on the operating systems, tools, facilities and practices commonly used in theatre and performance scenarios.

These will include:

1. Introduction to technical theatre Health and safety in the technical environment

2. Lighting tools

3. Sound tools

4. Costume and the wardrobe environment

5. Stage management tools

6. Camera skills and the principles of documentation

7. Introduction to editing

8. set construction and the workshop environment

9. Multimedia skills and tools

10. Communication and presentation skills

The following 5 weeks will concentrate on putting these skills in to practice within a prescribed project brief which will culminate in a realized live event within a departmental performance space during the January exam period.

This module will introduce students to the creation of documentation, recording creative decision-making processes as well as the more practical aspects of technical provision in a performance context. It will also introduce students to the notion of reflective evaluation of processes, encouraging them to develop critical and self-critical skills in respect of the management and technical decision-making processes employed and to create a sense of responsibility for, and ownership of, the theatrical event. It will, through a series of technical workshops and technical skills labs challenge preconceptions about the nature and function of theatre technology, as well as deliver relevant contemporary technological performance knowledge, skills and experience.

The module will conclude with an intensive 1-day production period in a dedicated departmental studio.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Much of the software requires the application of number.
Communication The development of communication skills is key to all aspects of this module. The ability to communicate design and technical ideas and solutions is an essential part of the collaborative group work supported by this module.
Improving own Learning and Performance Peer and self-evaluation are part of the discussion within the development labs within the module.
Information Technology Students will be introduced to a number of generic and specific technically complex software systems in order to fulfil the requirements of the module.
Personal Development and Career planning The module is designed to be a foundation of skill that will enable students to progress through the next 2 years with a solid understanding of the technologies which they will encounter throughout their degree and beyond.
Problem solving These skills are developed as the student responds to the different challenges that emerge during the process of finding solutions to the creative and practical challenges of contemporary technical theatre exploration.
Research skills These skills are developed through staff- led discussion topics in contemporary technical practice.
Subject Specific Skills See QAA dance drama and performance subject benchmark statement version 2015 * Engaging in performance and production, based on an acquisition and understanding of appropriate performance and production vocabularies, skills, structures and working methods. * Using technologies such as computer aided design, television and sound editing, sampling and composition, digital and media arts in the realisation and execution of performance. * Engaging in performance and production, based on acquisition and understanding of appropriate performance and production vocabularies, skills, structures, working methods and research paradigms. * Developing a repertoire of interpretative skills, practices and making techniques (physical/aural/spatial) and applying them effectively to engage with an audience/performance. * Contributing to the production of performance
Team work Team work is intrinsic to the group presentations.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4