REHEARSAL PROJECT 2: TWENTIETH CENTURY PLAY - 2020/1

Module Overview

The project begins with a consideration of how the actor accesses the dramatic possibilities of a naturalistic approach to characterisation. Initial work on script analysis will encourage students to explore the performance opportunities presented in the given circumstances of the play. Developing exercises will investigate some of the possibilities inherent in the theatre conventions of the 20th century. The rehearsal project will culminate in the staging and sharing of scenes from one or more plays.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

PALMER Chris (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Script analysis familiarise the student with the performance opportunities embedded in the text, and may take the form of a consideration of units, objectives, actions, and the cultural and historical context of the play.
Rehearsals of scenes in class will respond to the demands of the specific play chosen, and may include, for example, fourth-wall or proscenium staging, and naturalistic/post-Stanislavskian approaches to characterisation.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

1 Creative and imaginative approaches to 20th century plays in rehearsal and performance

2 The ability to evaluate the relationship between the performer, the narrative, and the performance conditions of modern/naturalistic plays

3 A sophisticated understanding of style and genre

4 Effective collaborative strategies in rehearsal.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Continuous assessment of the student’s engagement with classroom activities and rehearsal practice. This addresses 1, 3 and 4, above.

Formative assessment

Formative Assessment consists of an evaluation of the student’s contribution to the process, and an evaluation of the student’s working journal, at the mid point of the project. This addresses 2, above.

Feedback

Informal formative verbal feedback from tutors will be provided via class activities, email exchange, and personal tutorials.

Module aims

• - help students develop a systematic rehearsal practice in response to a 20th century dramatic text

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Develop the student’s knowledge, understanding and creative approach to 20th century plays in rehearsal and performance.

• Encourage students to work collaboratively, with an emphasis on group activity and ensemble storytelling.

• Provide opportunities for the student to synthesise skills acquired in this module and in other aspects of the course.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• In-class rehearsals of scenes (90 hours)

• Showings of 20th century project (3 hours)

• Daily journal entry, and independent rehearsal, research and study (47 hours)

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ACTM042

Other information

Under the three term structure that commences from academic year 2019/0 – this module’s delivery is year-long due to the teaching occurring in Teaching Block 2.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.