Module Identifier PF30520  
Module Title DEVISING PERFORMANCE 2  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Ms Jill Greenhalgh  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff  
Pre-Requisite PF20420  
Course delivery Practical   preparation of etudes  
  Other   Lecrures/Seminars 5 x 2 hour sessions in the first 5 weeks  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Essay: Written account of conceptual process (equivalent to 3,000 words) (An account of conceptual processes used in either the performance etude or fragment or both) 30%
Semester Assessment Group Presentation: Performance etude with second year students A study towards performance of 20 minutes duration) (The performance etude and fragment will be marked jointly by two members of staff35%
Semester Assessment Group Presentation: Performance fragment with third year colleagues (A fully-realised fragment of performance of 20 minutes duration) 35%

Learning outcomes

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

Typically, upon completion of the module, the student should be able to:
- to present the intelligent, systematic and creative application of procedures and practices for devising and presenting non-textual performance genres
- to demonstrate and employ a wide range of dramaturgical skills in the determining of creative outcome
- to collaborate in a range of social and artistic activities to achieve well-defined and conceptualized creative outcomes.
- to conduct successful project design and application in the field of devised performance


Aims

Aims :

The aim of this advanced module is:
- to present the student with the opportunity to realise and apply techniques for devising non-textual genres of performance.
- to enable students to organise, direct and participate in two performance pieces with fellow students.


Content

In parallel with a series of mainly theoretical lectures, the module schedule includes the preparation of the performance etude and performance fragment.

In the preparation period, students will be expected

(a) to conceive and organise an etude with their second-year colleagues in PF20420: Devising Performance 1
(b) to conceive and organise, using group procedures, a performance fragment with their peers in PF30520 Performance 2.

Lecture schedule :

1. Directing procedures I : the performers
2. Directing procedures II : the performance
3. The performer 1 : physical and vocal repertoire
4. The performer II : techniques of training
5. The performer III : theories of improvisation
6. Context 1 : performance and landscape
7. Context II : performance and architecture
8. Context III : the aural environment (audio recording and sampling)
9. Context IV : the visual environment (projected imagery)
10. Context V : the 'virtual' environment (electronic media : video, computer imagery)


Criteria for assessment :

i] Performance Fragment : In assessing the performance fragment, the examiner will expect:
- understanding of procedures and practices for devising and presenting non-textual performance genres (10% of the overall fragment mark)
- effective application of procedures and practices for devising and presenting non-textual performance genres (25%)
- effective application of advanced dramaturgical procedures (30%)
- effective embodiment of the thematic material (25%)
- effective organisation of group functioning (10%)

ii] Performance Etude : in assessing the performance etude, the examiner will expect:
- successful practical realisation of conceptual notions (10% of the overall etude mark)
- realisation of elements of course work in practice (20%)
- effective embodiment of the thematic material (20%)
- effective organisation of group functioning (20%)
- innovative approaches to the form and functioning of performance procedures (30%)

iii] Written Account : in assessing the written account, the examiner will expect:
- reflection upon the relationship between the given theme and the practices and procedures of direction (30% of the overall account mark)
- reflection upon the relationship between the given theme and the conceptual procedures employed (25%)
- reflection upon the relationship between the given theme and the performance genre employed (25%)
- reflection upon personal functioning within the etude or fragment (10%)
- assessment of success of practical realisation of etude or fragment (10%)


Transferable skills

Transferable skills :

- organising group functioning
- self organisation

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Pavis, Patrice (1996) The Intercultural Perfomance Reader Routledge
Reinelt, Janelle and Roach, Joseph (1992) Critical Theory and Performance University of Michigan Press
Turner, Victor (1982) From Ritual to Theatre Performing Arts Journal
Bourdieu, Pierre (1977) Outline of a Theory of Practice Cambridge University Press
Case, Sue Ellen (1990) Performing Feminisms: Feminist Critical Theory and Theatre Baltimore
Cole, Susan (1992) Directors in Rehearsal Routledge
de Certeau, Michel (1984) The Practice of Everyday Life University of California Press
Howell, Anthony (1999) The Analysis of Performance Art Harwood Academic
Lefebvre, Henri trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith (1991) The Production of Space Blackwell
Pavis, Patrice (1992) Theatre at the Crossroads of Culture Routledge

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6