Study information

Performance Practice Project

Module titlePerformance Practice Project
Module codeDRAM096
Academic year2020/1
Credits45
Module staff

Ms Cariad Astles ()

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

3

5

Number students taking module (anticipated)

15

Module description

The module provides you with the opportunity to develop and extend your research-based practice , leading to you sharing work appropriate to your chosen research topic (performance, work demonstration, or workshop) and to critically reflect on this process. This module builds on foundations of the performance practices and applied facilitation skills introduced in  DRAM136 Contemporary Performance Practices, which is a pre-requisite.

You will begin to develop a proposal for your project, which will be refined with staff feedback. You will participate in staff-led workshops, seminars and masterclasses with guest practitioners focusing on developing performance, composition, and devising skills. You will then work individually and collaboratively to develop your own project, under staff supervision. The module culminates with a performance or presentation of the research and a written critical reflection on the process. The performance or presentation can take place in-person and/or on an online platform.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to:

  • Provide a focused, structured atmosphere for the first phase in the development of quality performance practice in the designated area of theatrical/performance practice
  • Provide the opportunity to apply principles and processes of performance practice to one's own creative work
  • Facilitate the development of individual and collaborative creative work and reflection upon that work
  • The research choice, whether physical performance, directing or applied performance will be reflected within the focus of the project

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Apply psychophysical process to specific texts and/or performance tasks
  • 2. Demonstrate advanced understanding of frameworks and approaches to personal and collaborative creative project development
  • 3. Demonstrate advanced understanding of frameworks and approaches to personal and collaborative creative project development

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the area under investigation, employing relevant conceptual frameworks and creative processes to the topic of investigation
  • 5. Engage critically and analytically with selected approaches to acting or directing, and theoretical perspectives and thereby gain an overview of their chosen field through both practice and theory
  • 6. Display an advanced understanding of the relationship between theatre research and theatre practice

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 7. Engage creatively and imaginatively with a range of materials and processes at the level of professional practice
  • 8. Collaborate and negotiate as a member of a group to achieve advanced research or creative tasks
  • 9. Improve and reflect on performance, presentation and facilitation skills

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:

  • Development of advanced performance practices  though tutor-led training, staff-led workshops and guided individual and small group task
  • Planning, development and rehearsal of individual and/or small group practice projects. This phase includes individual and/or small group tutorials with the module tutor, taught sessions and a period of intense self-directed student work
  • The module culminates with a set of performances or performed workshops either within the Department or within the local community; delivered in-person and/or on an online platform.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
643860

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activities64Contact time:. Weekly seminars, tutorials; training and additional performer training workshops. Self-directed workshops, rehearsals and culminating performance
Guided independent study386Independent study and rehearsal

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
PresentationUp to 45 minutes1-9Oral Feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Process and achievement in performance/performed workshop or presentation70Up to 60 minutes1-9Written feedback
Portfolio (critical reflection on aspects of the process and outcome)303000 words1-9Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Process and achievement in performance/workshop/presentation.Process and achievement in performance or piece of written work1-9Referral/Deferral period
Portfolio (critical reflection on aspects of the process and performance or presentation outcome)Portfolio (critical reflection on aspects of the process and performance outcome)1-9Referral/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 50%) you will be required to submit a further literature review. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • Britton, John (eds) Encountering Ensemble, London and New York: Bloomsbury Methuen, 2013.
  • Cohen Cruz, J. Local Acts: Community based performance in the US, Rutgers University Press, 2005.
  • B. Escolme, (2005) Talking to the Audience , Routledge.
  • Kershaw, B. The Politics of Performance, London: Routledge, 1992.
  • Loukes, R. (2006) 'Concentration' and Awareness in Psychophysical Training: The Practice of Elsa Gindler, New Theatre Quarterly , vol. 22, no. 4, 387-400.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Key words search

Performance Practice, Applied Performance, Socially Engaged Theatre Practice , Directing.

Credit value45
Module ECTS

22.5

Module pre-requisites

DRAM136: Contemporary Performance Practices

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

2011

Last revision date

27/07/2020