CONTEMPORARY PERFORMER TRAINING - 2024/5

Module Overview

Contemporary Performer Training is the third of six compulsory modules within the BA (Hons) Theatre. Students will explore and analyse the development of performer training, covering global practices in modern actor training and contemporary performer training, to understand lineages and influences, as well as philosophies, principles, and practices.

The coursework essay is the summative assessment.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

TRINGHAM Anna (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

N/A

Module content

Indicative content for the module includes a series of units of study and a reading list which is prepared by the module tutor and delivered via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Surrey Learn. Contemporary Performer Training may include the following indicative topics: Stanislavski, the American Method, Viewpoints, Lecoq, and World Theatre. Seminars and tutorials will focus on the application of a training approach in practice, as well as providing guidance on academic writing skills. Independent learning hours are allocated to allow the student to fully engage with this content.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

Through their summative submission of a coursework essay, in addition to their engagement with formative assessment, the module content, and associated reading,  the students are provided with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Knowledge and comprehension of a range of theatrical texts and performance conventions.


• Knowledge and comprehension of the processes by which theatre and performance are conceived and realised.


• Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of theatrical traditions and contemporary innovations.


• Develop an awareness of the global and cultural issues that impact on the nature of theatre and its performance.


• Identify areas of special interest within theatre studies and demonstrate resourcefulness and resilience through research.


• Communicate clearly in written coursework on a digital platform.


• The ability to synthesise verbal and written feedback on coursework from faculty.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework Essay of 2,500 words in response to a written brief, OR


• Audio recording with transcript of 7 minutes duration.

The formative assessment and feedback consists of:  An outline or plan for the summative assignment. This may include, but is not restricted to:

• A series of PowerPoint or equivalent slides


• A visual or graphic plan such as a mind map


• Spoken commentary recorded as audio or video.

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

• Personal tutorials via video call


• Question and answer exchanges via email


• News feed on the VLE.

Ongoing, informal, formative feedback from the tutor may be facilitated by, but is not restricted to, Discussion Boards on the VLE and email exchanges at the student's request.

Module aims

• Introduce students to a range of modern practices in actor training and contemporary performance.
• Enable students to understand the influences of key pedagogical practices on the work of later practitioners.
• Support students to articulate their ideas in an appropriate written format.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Actively engage the online learner with the key concepts of contemporary performer training.


• Unfold a structured exploration of a range of modern and contemporary pedagogies in actor training.


• Enable the online learner to apply a training approach to a hypothetical workshop scenario.


• Support the online learner to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the key concepts.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Guided Learning in units of study and a reading list delivered via the VLE, Surrey Learn


• Independent Learning allowing the student to fully engage with the content and beyond


• Seminars delivered during intensive study weekends, online or (optionally) on campus


• Tutorials delivered online by the module tutor throughout the study period

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

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: TDL3015

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:

Sustainability, Global & Cultural Capabilities, Resourcefulness and Resilience

Contemporary Performer Training contributes to achieving the educational aims of the programme by enriching students' understanding of actor training as a career. It focuses on pedagogical practices that respond to global and cultural change, and make deep contributions toward social sustainability. The educators covered in the module are exemplars of resourcefulness and independence in meeting the future needs of the theatre artist in society.

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.