ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module has two main components: a Showcase and a Sustained Independent Project (SIP).

The professional showcase is a significant opportunity for students to demonstrate their acting abilities to industry professionals. It is streamed online. The SIP allows students to delve deeply into a chosen area of interest, and author and present either a 10-minute short film or a 30-minute one-person show. This project encourages students to develop and showcase their creativity and ability to produce professional-level work.

In addition to the professional showcase and SIP, the module also includes a continuous skills development component that enables students to maintain their skills in, film-making, voice and movement skills., ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and techniques demanded by the industry.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

BYRNE Grainne (GSA)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

The module is designed to cater to students' professional and creative interests. Students have the freedom to choose the Sustained Independent Project (SIP) assessment option that best suits their needs and creative/professional goals. They will then receive guidance and supervision from staff according to their expertise. Some supervision sessions may be delivered online.

Students will research and select appropriate performance material for an industry showcase. The module includes rehearsals and performances of the industry showcase, which may be performed in front of a live audience and/or streamed online.

Refresher classes in filmmaking will also be given earlier in the year, as well as ad hoc refresher classes in their performance skillset. The module provides a comprehensive learning experience that equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen field.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

• Reflect upon, and evaluate your work and the work of others, demonstrating a high level of critical thinking and self-assessment skills


• Apply creative thinking to problem-solving, demonstrating a resilient approach.


• Effectively communicate ideas and concepts through physical, verbal, digital, and written formats


• Show sustained personal and collective engagement, exhibiting commitment to acquiring skills, continuous learning, and building a professional network/profile

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

 

Showcase

• Contribution to Process (showcase and understudy duties) This addresses learning outcomes 2, 3 and 4


• Performance in Industry Showcase. This addresses learning outcomes 2, and 4

Sustained Independent Project (SIP)

• Solo performance project of 30-40 minutes, plus short framing statement (500 words).This addresses learning outcomes 1 and 4  - The solo performance may also be a short film 10- !5 minutes.

OR 

• Teaching portfolio (equivalent to 6,000 words). This addresses learning outcomes 1 and 4

Formative assessment

Formative assessment will be provided at tutorials for the critical evaluation or teaching portfolio, and at supervised rehearsals for the solo performance project.

Feedback

Verbal feedback will provided by the director at each rehearsal for the industry showcase. Written summative feedback will be provided vis the virtual learning environment.

Module aims

• Ensure industry-level performance skills
• Facilitate creativity, original practice and research
• Help students negotiate the transition from training to the profession
• Develop creative and imaginative approaches to work in rehearsal and performance

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Help ensure students acquire and demonstrate industry-level performance skills


• Facilitate the students¿ creativity


• Guide students as they undertake original practice and/or research.

The learning methods include:

• Supervised research, development and rehearsals for the Sustained Independent Project (SIP)


• Masterclasses


• Research and selection of showcase material


• Rehearsals and performance of industry showcase


• Independent research and 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: ACTM057

Other information

Digital Capability

This module will use an online streaming platform to present their Showcase. For their SIP, some students will opt to create a short film that will be available as Digital content. During the module, students will be furthering their experience with the latest technologies used in professional rehearsals, which include Digital Rehearsal Materials as well as Technical Digital Design environments for Light, Sound, and Costume. As part of their training, students are encouraged to use modern communication tools like email, virtual meeting software, and other communication platforms for appropriate communication, recording, and in some cases, collaboration. Students will also learn to create Digital Content that can help them secure employment and create their own artistic content. Additionally, they will use the University's VLE (SurreyLearn) and a range of digital media platforms to help them with administration, scheduling, and reporting.

Employability

Developing employability skills is a crucial aspect of this module, which is integrated into teaching, learning, and assessment. Throughout their training, students receive transferable skills from experienced staff with practitioner backgrounds, who provide professional development sessions. The module allows students to acquire employability knowledge and expertise in various ways, including creating their own artistic content independently. They will develop their own artistic voice and prepare material that can provide a bridge between university and employment. Moreover, the module promotes engagement with industry stakeholders who are invited to see the work through digital platforms. The programme aims to nurture career-ready graduates who are highly sought after by agents, casting directors, and employers. The module also encourages industry outreach. The School has a dedicated Director of Employability.

Global & Cultural Capabilities

For the Showcase, students choose the material they want to present with the help of their tutor. Additionally, for the SIP, students are urged to create content that reflects, interacts, engages, values, and respects their own lived experiences, skills, perspectives, and diversity. The Creative Industries are constantly evolving, and students are encouraged to reflect on the current debates and changes in the world around them. They are further encouraged to develop their global, social, historical, and cultural awareness, to share their experiences and knowledge from their own backgrounds and cultures, and to appreciate, recognise, and interpret diverse perspectives. Students are expected to start the program with an open mind, a willingness to learn and engage in discussions, and an eagerness to broaden their understanding of the lived experiences of the various characters and communities they will be portraying as actors-in-training. The inclusivity ethos is present in all modules, and the Director of Equality and Diversity at GSA oversees the students' course of study. Every effort is made to ensure that a range of performances is accessible, and students are also encouraged to seek assistance from the Disability and Neuro-Diversity service within the University of Surrey if they face any obstacles to individual learning.

Resourcefulness & Resilience

The creation of the Showcase for Industry and the production of the SIP require a great deal of resourcefulness and resilience from the students. They must manage their own research and development, as well as write and rehearse their own material. The previous modules of acting and skills acquisition naturally encourage these qualities. The students undergo intensive classes, rehearsals, and performance schedules, which help them develop their skillset through practice. They learn how to navigate uncertainty, deal with risks and challenges, and consider their future goals. The real-world working schedules and assessments reflect the resilience and resourcefulness required for a career in performing arts, while simultaneously nurturing students' self-management skills. The classes, rehearsals, and performances feature both independent and collaborative learning, peer support, problem-solving, communication, independence, perseverance, stamina, self-value, and critical thinking. All of these promote resilience and resourcefulness. The classes and the structure of verbal and written feedback enable students to build a holistic view of their individual process. Expert staff with practitioner backgrounds support students throughout their training, and the majority of full-time staff are Mental Health First Aid trained, providing advice and guidance on where to seek further help. This enables students to take control of their learning and overcome any barriers to their progress.

Sustainability

The aim of this module is to help students establish a successful career in the performing arts. Through this module, students are encouraged to understand the importance of their learning in the context of their personal, professional, and global perspectives. They are also encouraged to reflect on the impact of their actions on society from social, cultural, ethical, political, economic, and environmental perspectives. Additionally, students are urged to reflect on their values, perceptions, and actions, as well as those of the characters they portray during rehearsals and performances, and how these impact audiences. To ensure high sustainability standards, GSA productions are designed to reuse and recycle sets, props, and costumes wherever possible. GSA is deeply committed to working on productions in the most sustainable way possible.

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.