THE ACTOR & THE BODY - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module aims to develop the skill base of the Actor-Musician in Dance and Movement. Across Level 4, students will study practical skills in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Movement practices. This unit serves as an introduction to dance and movement technique, with study of dance, and other movement based practice, integrated into the module. The studies will be drawn from the creation and development of diverse range of renowned practitioners. Students will explore the application and integration of core technique and the integration of dance and movement to the work of the Actor/Musician. Movement covers posture and alignment, and the relationship of the actor to the space, and the use of the body within the space, and the instrument as “object” and then as part and extension of the performers own body.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

KERRIDGE Rachael (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Practical Ballet Class (x1pw) Across Level 4

Practical Jazz Class (x1pw) Across Level 4

Practical Tap Class (1xpw) Across Level 4

Movement Class (1xpw) Across Level 4

All classes are practial based classes.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

Practical evidence of a developing skill-base in dance and movement as an actor-musician.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Unit 1: Dance/Movement 50%

Student Activity

Posture & placement

Strength

Use of legs & feet Musicality, style & presentation

Use of Facility

Applying correction & work ethic

Progress Unit 2: Dance Workshop 50%

Student Activity

Posture & placement

Strength

Use of legs & feet

Musicality, style & presentation

Use of Facility

Applying correction & work ethic

Performance & Engagement in Workshop Setting

Formative assessment

N/A

Feedback

These are practical assessments that provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate and receive feedback sequentially. Students receive verbal and written feedback and also benefit from personal tutorials where this feedback can be discussed after reflection and grading has taken place.

Module aims

• This module aims to introduce dance and movement technique, with study of dance (Ballet, Jazz and Tap) and other movement based practice (Laban/Pilates).
• Students will explore the application and integration of core technique and the integration of dance and movement specific to the work of the Actor/Musician.
• Movement covers posture and alignment and the relationship of the actor to the space and the use of the body within the space and the instrument as “object” and then as part and extension of the performers own body. The relationship to instrument playing and the “object in the space” is also explored.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Place an emphasis on the practical development of movement and dance skills that are required as an actor-musician.

The module aims to introduce Level 4 students to the study and acquire skills in Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Movement.

Practical classes are delivered in a year - long module – to encourage a continuous approach to practice and enable the practical skill base to grow.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Across the year this module is delivered over 300 hours study with a blend of personal study time and practical class based delivery. Throughout the module different learning and teaching strategies are applied to enable students to achieve the learning outcomes, including research, reflective practice, peer to peer learning and formative assessment with detailed written feedback.

• The approach of the module is vocational in content and delivery and encourages students to participate in reflection on their own practice, independent study and research and embeds the concepts of peer to peer feedback within the rehearsal studio. Students are encouraged to utilise materials on SURREY LEARN and also receive individual tutorials from staff to help in forming their learning experience.

• Students receive regular verbal feedback both individually and as a group during each class which they are encouraged to journal and use for reflection.

• Students are encouraged to self-assess and peer-assess within the class structure and as part of the ethos of continuous actor training.

• Lesson plans are structured to take account of and deliver for students with a specific bias toward visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning enabling differentiation of techniques within the class and a sensitivity towards inclusivity.

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: AMT1012

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.