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Approaches to Acting

Module description

The Approaches to Acting module has four key elements to it - Explore, Rehearse, Perform and Reflect. Towards the beginning of the module, you will be looking at ways of approaching acting, working on short excerpts from texts. You will be considering aspects of performance such as character, intention, space, physicality, voice, interaction, and storytelling. You will then be cast in a role and directed by the module leader, as well as further developing the work during self-directed sessions with your peers. This will culminate in a short run of performances.  At the end of the module, you will write a reflective essay, analysing your learnings as an actor and theatre-maker, referencing the process and the wider reading that you have undertaken throughout the module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will offer you an opportunity to explore the possibilities and methodologies of the actor’s role in depth, both in personal preparation and in working with others towards performance. The module will challenge your conceptions about acting and encourage you to experiment with how you approach acting in the future. It will also expand your understanding of ensemble and collaborative work.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Analyse theatre texts in preparation for performance and interpret theoretical approaches into acting and performance.
• 2. Locate your own acting and performance practice in the wider fields of contemporary theory and practice and develop a language to critically reflect on it.
• 3. Engage with experimentation and considered risk taking by applying a range of trial and error methodologies in your creative practice

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. Relate to others in theatrical processes and performances and work effectively with others in small task- orientated groups.
• 5. Demonstrate advanced confidence in performance skills and written analysis, of both dramatic practice and researched material.
• 6. Initiate and sustain creative, analytic and interpretative work within strict time limits and technical competence.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 7. Express and communicate creative ideas and images; ability to initiate and sustain creative work, both group and solo.
• 8. Demonstrate group cooperation skills, including the ability to give and receive constructive critical feedback, and advanced analytic abilities in discussions
• 9. Demonstrate the ability to adapt and design working methods for each new situation, self-management, collaborative working skills, problem solving, critical analysis and valuing own and others’ ideas and beliefs

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:

• Tutor-led exercises and discussions to explore a variety of approaches to acting
• Individual work on a monologue and duologue to develop and apply these approaches
• Textual analysis to understand the relevance of the chosen play and deepen your understanding of character and ensemble work
• Rehearsal and performance of ensemble piece to develop stamina and experience of performance

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

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

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

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

• Alfreds, Mike (2007), Different Every Night: Freeing the Actor, London: Nick Hern Books
• Donnellan, Declan (2013), The actor and the target, London: Nick Hern Books
• Mamet, David (1998), True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor, London: Faber
• Stanislavsky, Konstantin, Reynolds Hapgood, Elizabeth, trans (2013), An Actor Prepares, London: Bloomsbury
• Hodge, Alison (2010), Actor Training (2nd ed), London; New York: Routledge
• Johnstone, Keith (2018), Impro, London: Bloomsbury
• Berry, Cicely (2000), The Actor and the Text, London: Virgin Books
• Bogart, Anne, Landau, Tina (2014), The Viewpoints Book: a practical guide to viewpoints and composition, London: Nick Hern Books

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=639

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Home | Digital Theatre+ (digitaltheatreplus.com)

Key words search

acting, theatre, text