FOUNDATIONS OF THEATRE PRODUCTION - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module is designed to introduce students to basic technical and professional skills within theatre production, which complements learning in all other Level 4 modules. Through practical production work, students will become familiar with safe, healthy and sustainable production processes. It also provides foundation knowledge and competency to enable students to progress competently to specialist studies, production roles and professional development at Level 5.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

BURGESS Mig (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

Indicative content includes:

• Foundations of stagecraft


• Technical drawing and interpretation of plans


• Health and safety


• Sustainability in production


• Production departments and processes


• Introduction to professional development


• Observation of public production work


• Participation in public production work

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate students¿ competence in foundational skills in theatre production, to reflect on personal and professional development during Level 4, and to develop knowledge and understanding of production processes and relevant frameworks and guidance applicable to the entertainment industry.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework: reflective production notebook (3000 words). Addresses learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

• Short written reflection on shadowing/observation of public production processes


• Active and engaged participation in public production process

• Written tutor feedback will be given on the formative reflection


• Informal verbal feedback will be given during the practical production work, by tutors/technical staff/freelance creatives


• Written tutor feedback will be given for the summative assessment

Module aims

• Introduce students to all foundational skills and shared terminology within theatre production
• Ensure students are confident and competent when working in performance venues and technical workshops
• Develop understanding and knowledge of production processes to enable informed choice for further study
• Embed professional, resilient and sustainable production practices.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: provide a variety of learning and teaching methods which fit with the overall aims & strategy of the programme and which are appropriate to the acquisition and development of foundational skills in theatre production. At the beginning of the module the emphasis is on learning and teaching in seminars and practical workshops. There is then a progression through the module towards guided learning as students take part in observation and participation activities in public production work.

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: PRO1038

Other information

Guildford School of Acting trains students, within their chosen fields, to have an understanding and appreciation of Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow acting students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital capabilities

Students will be expected to use digital methodologies/platforms for project planning and information sharing when working within production teams. They will also become familiar with CAD drawing software and can apply knowledge and skills of technical software learnt in other modules at Level 4, appropriate to the department in which they are working.

Global and cultural capabilities

Production titles (plays, musicals, plays with music, devised work) are selected to represent a wide range of global perspectives and traditions. Students will observe/participate in at least two contrasting productions.

Employability

This module introduces students to production departments and processes as well as personal and professional development. Students will also begin to work directly with freelance creatives and technicians. Hence, they will develop business knowledge as well as a range of basic technical and transferable skills that are essential for multiskilled employability in the entertainment industry.

Resourcefulness and Resilience

Through the guided learning aspects of this module, as they are challenged to take production critical roles, students will begin to develop as independent proactive professionals. They will be encouraged to take responsibility as a team member and reflect on their learning to increase self-awareness and goal setting for the future.

Sustainability

During this module students will be introduced to relevant current guidance relating to sustainability in the entertainment industry and how this is applied at GSA, particularly within public production. Students will be expected to engage and apply this guidance as they participate in public production work.

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 2024/5 academic year.