Theatre Making
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ENGL3005 | English | 3 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- ENGL3005
- School
- English
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
"This module focuses on the creative process of making theatre as an ensemble. The first half of the module explores a range of theory-in-practice approaches to performance, such as those of Stanislavski, Lecoq, Laban, Meyerhold, along with approaches to devised, physical theatre influenced by companies such as Frantic Assembly and Gecko. For the second half of the module, students draw on these practical and theoretical models as they develop and rehearse a short, assessed, ensemble piece(s) for public performance. Students are also asked to critically reflect on the process of making performance, encountered during workshop, rehearsal and performance on the module, in a short formative report on personal and group progress, at a pre-agreed point in the term.
The module builds on the understanding of performance conventions developed through practical workshops begun in the first year 'Drama, Theatre, Performance' module, and the performance theory-through-practice approach of the second year 'From Stanislavski to Contemporary Performance' module."
Target Students
Only available for final-year students on SH and JH English programmes, including 2+2 programmes; students participating in exchanges from the School partner institutions; and final-year students on the Liberal Arts programme. There is a limited number of places on this module, and students will only be allocated a place following submission of an expression of interest due before module enrolment. ENGL2020 From Stanislavski to Contemporary Performance is a pre-requisite for this module.
Classes
- One 2-hour workshop each week for 11 weeks
- One 4-hour workshop each week for 11 weeks
Two assessed performances. Weekly, optional, student-led rehearsal time: Wednesday afternoons in Trent LG18 Performing Arts Studio.
Assessment
- Formative: Formative - 500 word (or equivalent) report
- 100% Group Performance: Group Performance to total 25-30 minutes
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The module aims to provide students with:• A developed understanding of performance as an embodied, material and iterative practice, comprising textual, scenic, and spatio-physical elements.• An opportunity to critically evaluate some key theories of and approaches to performance in relation to dramatic texts and the student’s own performance practice in the workshops.• Experience of working as part of a team in developing a piece(s) of ensemble performance.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of:
- The devising and rehearsal process required through praxis and observation in order to create an effective ensemble performance,
- A range of practical and theoretical approaches to the creation of performance,
- Issues of performance and analysis specific to drama as a material practice.
Intellectual skills:
- The ability to think independently while giving due weight to the arguments of others,
- The ability to understand complex ideas and relate them to the practice of performance, practically and with developed critical insight.
Transferable skills:
- The ability to work constructively in a team with one's peers and others as appropriate to the creative task,
- The ability to communicate constructively and persuasively, in a timely fashion,
- The ability to reflect upon and critically assess their own progress, strengths and weaknesses.