ACTING 1 - 2023/4

Module Overview

Acting 1 is a key component of the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre introducing and exploring the fundamentals of a range of theories and training exercises inspired by the principles and practices of several practitioners.

In terms of the wider programme the Acting 1 module enables students to break down barriers to performance work and performing in front of each other, encouraging peer to peer feedback and an ensemble approach to learning.

A range of classes will cover the practical and anatomical aspects of the spoken voice, giving students all the necessary tools required to begin the process toward a true understanding and ownership of their own voice.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

DAVIDSON Andrew (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

Students must also be studying: Singing and Music 1, Dance 1 and Research and Rehearsal

Module content

Acting Group Work Fundamentals and Script

Students will consider and explore mime, physical acting and the use of physical action. This work may include study of several theatrical practitioners.  Students will explore approaches to working with written text, and may include the application of theories such as Actioning and Viewpoints. Students will begin to understand theories of textual understanding including Objectives, Obstacles, Super-Objectives and Beats.

 

Acting Through Song and Improvisation

Students will consider various methods when working with both written and improvised text.  An initial comprehension of the use of lyrics in Musical Theatre songs in order to allow Acting to be at the forefront when delivering sung material will be explored and progressed at Level 5.  This will continue to develop theories of textual understanding in both spoken and sung text.


Practical Voice and Applied Voice
Students will explore, develop and bring together all elements of the voice. Initial work will focus on posture and breathing. Later work explores and aims to train the mind, body, imagination and emotions in the practice of making sound in order to establish resonance and the focussing the voice. Further work explores a range of expressions while integrating muscular clear articulation. Breath work underpins all work in the module so that the voice is fully connected. From the outset, students are required to begin the process of understanding their own habitual vocal use, and to challenge and develop their vocal capabilities whilst all underpinned with the authentic voice. Students will be required to select, learn texts from a global perspective such as poetry, political speeches and classical text.  Applied Voice sets out to explore the awareness of speech sounds into text, verse forms and structure from the authentic voice through to accents for character work.  This may include recreating some accents.

 

Introduction to Shakespeare

Students will explore scenes from Shakespeare in dialogue. These classes include Contextual and Character Analysis, working with verse, Circles of Concentration/Circles of Voice and Connection with text.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

Skills in vocal dexterity, character building, physical presence and intention in the space.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Applied Voice (Practical) POLITICAL SPEECH (40%)

• Vocal Technique in performance


• Technical understanding


• Characterisation


• Connection with text


• Breath control


• Process

INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE (Continuous Process) (60%)

• Engagement with a defined process of creating character.


• Approaches to verse


• Sustaining energy and character in exercise or performance


• Creative and Imaginative solo/partner/ensemble work


• Continuous assessment of class/rehearsal based process

Formative assessment and feedback

Script, Acting Group Work Fundamentals, Improvisation and Acting Through Song

Students receive verbal feedback during group workshop sessions and are encouraged to take notes. Feedback will be given on this indicative content.

• Engagement with a defined process of creating character


• Physical approach to text and verse


• Engage with methodologies of developing a character


• The use of clear objectives


• Continuous assessment of class based process


• Vocal Technique


• Technical understanding


• Connection with text


• Breath control

Module aims

• Develop awareness and understanding of how an actor communicates with an audience through use of voice, text, mask, mime and other storytelling techniques.
• Introducing an understanding of dynamic systems of rehearsal, and the expectations of a professional rehearsal process.
• Develop key skills in the fundamentals of acting methodology. Key practitioners may include Stanislavski, Lecoq, and Meisner.
• Develop a personal and methodological approach to physicality on stage and developing the capability of a student to use their body and physicality in a variety of complex situations.
• Equip students with the physical, intellectual, practical and emotional skills to create performances.
• Develop the student's awareness of the demands placed on the voice and body with a variety of texts, genres and spaces
• Analyse and produce a variety of sounds for various accents to provide an understanding of the vocal mechanism, support system, breath management, vocal anchoring.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Place an emphasis on the practical development of skills that are required for extended and best practice in the profession.
Enable students to acquire versatility in their mental and physical skills and integrate their knowledge across all musical theatre disciplines, all of which lead on to a firm foundation moving toward study at Level 5.
The learning and teaching methods include:

• Group Acting Workshops


• Group Text Study Workshops


• Group Voice Workshops


• Tutorials as required


• Group and Individual and research sessions

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 written feedback.
Students receive regular verbal feedback individually and as a group during each class which they are encouraged to journal notes during their process to bring to tutorials and class.

The module is delivered over 300 hours study across the term including, class, seminar and self-study.

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: MUT1023

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.