Theatre Practice II: Interpretative Acting
| Module title | Theatre Practice II: Interpretative Acting |
|---|---|
| Module code | DRA2007 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Martin Harvey (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
For the first part of the course you will work in small groups with the tutor on practical approaches to acting. This will include work on monologues, workshops on Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov and Brecht. There will also be practical workshops on voice and characterisation. During this time actors will also work on Duologues for presentation and some of these workshops will be given over to rehearsal of these with the tutor. The Duologues will be presented for assessment.
In the second part of the course, you will work as an ensemble on a new piece of writing for theatre which will have been written with them and the course in mind by playwright James MacDonald.
This will be presented at the end of the course for assessment.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this option module you will:
- Explore the possibilities of the interpretative actor’s role
- Extend your understanding of the theories and practices of performance
- Develop an exploratory approach towards processes for preparing texts for performance
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an ability to translate theoretical approaches to acting into performance
- 2. Demonstrate an ability to analyse theatre texts in preparation for performance
- 3. Demonstrate an ability to work with others as a part of an acting ensemble
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Relate to others in theatrical processes and performances; to work effectively with others in small task- orientated groups and to initiate and sustain creative, analytic and interpretative work within strict time limits and basic technical competence
- 5. Contribute research to small groups in effective presentations, to evaluate visual evidence and analyse, critique and manipulate complex material
- 6. Explore theoretical concerns through practice, and vice versa, and to synthesise findings in practical and written tasks. The ability to interpret research into physical practice and vice versa
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Develop group cooperation skills, including the ability to give and receive constructive critical feedback and to improve communication skills and analytic abilities in discussions
- 8. Develop confidence in performance skills and public presentation, both of dramatic practice and researched material
- 9. Collaborate in various groups and group sizes, to learn elements of teamwork and presentation
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Introduction to practical approaches towards a range of performance texts before exploring various working methods
- Research and practice will develop simultaneously, and participants will share their processes in relation to work on duologues and monologues, in the form of demonstrations, practical presentations and performances
- A large ensemble piece for performance at the end of the module
- Critical reflection on the relationship between working practices and modes of performance, towards developing their own personal 'methodology' for approaching texts
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 66 | 6 contact hours per week, to include workshops, lectures and seminars |
| Guided independent study | 234 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monologue | 5 minutes | 1-4, 6-9 | Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0 | 70 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical performance | 70 | 1 hour 15 minutes | 1-4, 6-9 | Oral and written feedback |
| Reflective essay | 30 | 2,000 words | 2, 6 | Oral feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical performance | Piece of written work 4,000 words | 1-4, 6-9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Reflective essay | Reflective essay | 2, 6 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Chekhov, Michael (1953) To The Actor
- Krasner, David (2000) Method Acting Reconsidered: Theory, Practice, Future
- Merlin, Bella (2001) Beyond Stanislavsky: the Psycho-Physical Approach to Actor Training
- Mitter, Shomit (1992) Systems of Rehearsal
- Sher, Anthony (1985) Year of the King
- Stanislavski, Konstantin (trans Benedetti 2008) An Actor's Work
- Zarrilli, Phillip (2002) Acting (Re)Considered
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | DRA1004 Acting and Not Acting |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2010 |
| Last revision date | 28/02/12 |