INDUSTRY PRACTICE AND PERFORMANCE - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module lays the groundwork for the bridge between training and the profession.  We are aware of the constantly changing needs of the industry and the growth of ethnicity, diversity and identity issues within the it and are committed to recognise and stimulate these with the individualised approaches that are a key ethos of the MAA/MFA programmes.  Students engage with industry professionals in a variety of working contexts which include a professional development intensive teaching week, a fully-realised public production, and either an industry showcase (MA Acting students only) or a research and development intensive with a commissioned playwright (MFA Acting students only).  Please be aware that some sessions may or may not be taught on-line.

This module seeks to encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship whilst fostering an understanding of relevant sustainable financial and business models, We encourage positive working ethics, collaboration, kindness, support, understanding, listening and integrity. 

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

BYRNE Grainne (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Industry practice intensive seminars will provide a platform for one or more guest professionals to provide information, advice and guidance for actors, with respect to (but not limited to): a range of audition styles; securing work in a range of performance/broadcast media; meeting and dealing with agents and other stakeholders in the industry. Rehearsals and performances of the public production will give the student experience of working practices, protocols and schedules typical of many professional theatres, as well as the chance to gain valuable insight from staff or freelance directors and other members of the creative team. Rehearsals and performances of the industry showcase will provide a platform for the student to bring their work before representatives of the industry, including agents and casting directors and other key stakeholders. Research and development workshops for the 2nd year MFA Acting New Writing project will bring students into contact with a commissioned playwright, brought in to create a bespoke piece for the cohort. Over a short intensive period of work, writer(s) and students may devise/develop ideas in a collaborative working environment.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

1. A sophisticated understanding of style and genre (C)

2. A creative and imaginative approaches to work in rehearsal and performance (K)

3. Effective collaborative strategies in rehearsal and performance (T)

4. Develop a professional profile through selection and preparation of appropriate material (P)

5. A range of strategies for managing a career in the performing arts (P)

6. Discipline and consistency in a professional context (P)

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Practical continuous assessment of engagement with rehearsals and performances of the Public Production (50%); this addresses 1, 2, 3, 6, above.

• Continuous assessment of classroom exercises, Professional Development Intensive (20%): this addresses 4, 5, above. MAA only

• Continuous assessment of engagement: Showcase (MAA, 30%); this addresses 2, 4, 6, above MFAA only

• Continuous assessment of engagement: New Writing Project R&D intensive (MFAA, 30%): this addresses 2, 3, 6, above.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment will take the form of:

- Regular verbal feedback from the director and other creative staff on the public production

- Regular verbal feedback from the director of the showcase or the writer of the new writing project

- Verbal feedback from the tutor in the professional development intensive.

Feedback

See above.

Module aims

• • expand the student’s knowledge of appropriate industry sectors
• • introduce the student to a variety of professional contexts and protocols
• • assist the student in building their own bridge between training and the profession.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• expand the student’s knowledge of appropriate industry sectors

• introduce the student to a variety of professional contexts and protocols

• assist the student in building their own bridge between training and the profession.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Rehearsals for public production 200 hours (maximum: students may not be called for the whole

• Intensives/seminars 30 hours (MAA) or 60 hours (MFAA)

• Showcase rehearsals circa 70 hours (MAA only)

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: ACTM043

Other information

GSA delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.

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 2023/4 academic year.