ACTING FUNDAMENTALS - 2025/6

Module Overview

This Module introduces the core acting fundamentals that underpin the programme. Following two interdependent strands, Acting Technique and Text Analysis, the student will experience a range of psycho-physical processes designed to develop the actor’s expressive and analytical skills. 

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

ROUSE Dominic (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

Content will vary according to staff expertise and availability, but indicative content may include:

• An introduction to Stanislavski’s system and the key practitioners who have re- interpreted his work: these may include Uta Hagen, Michael Chekhov, Sanford Meisner, Mike Alfreds, and others.


• Elementary exercises developing imagination, sensation, and a quality of immersion in the world of   the play.


• Practical exploration of the fundamental techniques required in research and analysis of text from  an actor’s point of view. 


• Practical exercises exploring key concepts such as: action, objective, units of action and super-objective


• An introduction to eight of Lecoq's twenty movements.


• An introduction to Neutral Mask, Elements and Materials.


• Use of the working journal to reflect upon and document personal learning.


• Work on contemporary scenes. (1950s to the present)

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

• The beginnings of an embodied knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of key practitioners.


• The foundations of an embodied, psycho-physical approach to acting


• Evaluation and articulation of embodied knowledge, through self-reflection.


• Engagement in research and analysis of a range of performance texts


• An understanding of the responsibilities of the artist in the creative environment, and the need for sensitivity towards others.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Continuous assessment of engagement with practical classes

Formative assessment and verbal feedback will be given in tutorials at the end of Teaching Block 1 and Teaching Block 2. In addition to these sessions, students will receive formative verbal feedback from tutors within class sessions in response to tasks and exercises, as appropriate.

Module aims

• Introduce the theory and practice of key practitioners including (but not limited to) LeCoq, Stanislavski, Hagen and Meisner.
  
• Inspire an open, generous, imaginative and playful approach to the work of the actor.
• Introduce research and text analysis methods for the actor.
• Explore and distinguish the relationship between actor-technician, actor-individual, and character.
• Begin to reflect upon and document a personal learning process using the actor's journal.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Enable an embodied knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of key practitioners


• Introduce an embodied, psycho-physical approach to acting,


• Enable self-reflection and evaluation of embodied knowledge.


• Encourage students to integrate research and analysis into practical, embodied work.


• Enable an understanding of the responsibilities of the artist in the creative environment, and the need for sensitivity towards the others.


• Provide a firm foundation for work at Level 5.

The methods of learning and teaching will include:

• Practical classes in Acting Technique (Teaching Blocks 1,2 and 3)


• Practical classes in Text Analysis (Teaching Blocks 1, 2 and 3)


• Independent 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: ACT1029

Other information

The 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:

Employability

The focus on employability is embedded in the teaching, learning and assessment activities throughout every aspect of this module to nurture career ready graduates that will be sought after by employers in the creative industries.  Expert staff with practitioner backgrounds deliver authentic and practical modes of working in the studio, mirroring professional practice.   Students develop transferable skills including independent and collaborative working, creative, critical and reflective thinking, and problem solving. 

Global & Cultural Capabilities

Through the skills taught in all classes across this module, students will develop their global, social, historical, and cultural awareness, share experiences and knowledge from their own backgrounds and cultures,¿and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives.  With an open mind and a willingness to engage in discussion, students will develop awareness and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives in the characters and communities they will be portraying as actors-in-training. Students will be able to make informed contributions to the current debates in the creative industries.

Resourcefulness & Resilience

In this module the learning journey is carefully structured so that performance and rehearsal skills can be learned, developed, and integrated resulting in students acquiring a broad range of resources which they can continue to use throughout the rest of their training and in future employment settings.  The nature of the work means students will learn to navigate uncertainty, to deal with risks and challenges, and to take on board personal and professional responsibilities.  The use of formative and summative feedback will enable the students to build a thorough overview of their individual process and progress.  The training features independent and collaborative learning, problem solving, communication, perseverance, stamina, critical thinking, self-management, and an understanding of self-value.  Mirroring industry standards students will undertake classes, rehearsals and performance schedules which are in line with expectations for a successful acting career.  

Sustainability

Throughout the classes, students are encouraged to reflect on the social, cultural, ethical, political, economic, and environmental impact of the work they do as individuals and collectively, and to recognise their shared responsibilities.  GSA has a strong commitment to working from the studio in the most sustainable way possible. Movement classes allow the student to work in a sustained safe physical manner commensurate with rigors of professional delivery.

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 2025/6 academic year.