CONTEMPORARY PERFORMER TRAINING - 2020/1

Module Overview

Students will explore and analyse the development of performer training, covering contemporary practices for acting, movement, dance and the voice, and understanding key themes and influences in practice.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

DAVIDSON Andrew (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Students will take this module alongside Theories of Performance TDL3008.

Module content

Indicative content includes: -

Home-based study on the module material and online reading requirements. Practitioners to be studied may include: Stanislavski, Chekhov, Meisner, Copeau, Lecoq, Bogart, Bausch, Halprin, Linklater, Berry, Estill.

Seminar sessions amounting to two days at GSA to include application of practices to modern theatre training and performance, writings skills, and personal tutorials.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to

• Provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the following through their formal written summative submission, in addition to their engagement with the formative assessment, module content and associated activities:
  
  
  
  
  • Knowledge and understanding of key practitioners, practices and theories of performance. (K)
  
  
  • Develop knowledge and understanding of the impact of past traditions upon contemporary practices. (K)
  
  
  • Identify and engage in appropriate independent research demonstrating an awareness and understanding of relevant cultural contexts. (C)
  
  
  • Identify areas of interest within performance and theatre industry, evaluate current practices and create possible solutions. (C)
  
  
  • Apply a range of critical methods to theatrical representation and express the results cogently, both in writing and presentation. (C)
  
  
  • Communicate clearly in writing. (T)
  
  
  • Formulate and communicate objective responses. (T)
  
  
  • Understand and objectively act on constructive criticism. (T)
  
  
  
  

 

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• 2,500 word essay in response to a set question/task OR


• 7min documentary-style video submission & transcript.

 

And the formative assessment and feedback consists of:

An outline plan for the summative assignment in the student’s own choice of form, which may include, but not restricted to:

• Essay plan


• Poster


• PowerPoint or equivalent software presentation


• Podcast

Informal formative feedback from tutors will be provided by, but not restricted to:

• VLE written feedback


• Email exchange


• Personal tutorials in person / via Skype or equivalent software

Ongoing informal formative feedback from the tutor is facilitated by, but not restricted to, structured discussion boards on the VLE and email exchange.

Module aims

• Introduce students to a range of contemporary and modern performer training practices.
• Enable students to recognise the influences of key practitioners on the work of others.
• Allow students to make links between a range of performer training practices.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Actively engage the online & distance learner with core concepts of key theatre practitioners through a range of teaching and learning strategies


• Enable the online & distance learner to access core practices studied and develop a practical understanding.


• Allow the online & distance learner to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of performer training through the structured exploration.

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

 

• Study based on module content via the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment), and associated learning activities (60 hours)


• Seminar weekend (15 hours)


• Tutor-guided online & distance learning, independent study based on set texts and online library resources (75 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: TDL3009

Other information

Under the three term structure that commences from academic year 2019/0 – this module’s delivery falls in Semester 1 due to the teaching occurring in Teaching Block 1.

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.