ACTING 1 - 2025/6

Module Overview

This Module introduces students to the technical and practical aspects of Acting and Spoken Vocal practice.  Students explore a range of Acting theories and training exercises to encourage spontaneity, creativity, collaboration and imagination in order for the student to develop an awareness of themselves, to note their own physicality and vocal patterns and to consider the messages they may give to an audience.  The practical and anatomical aspects of Spoken Voice practice will give students the necessary tools required to begin the process toward an understanding and ownership of their own spoken voice.

 

The module comprises of:

• Applied Voice classes exploring speech sounds into text and verse, delivered from the authentic voice into accents, emotion and character


• Practical Voice classes exploring, developing and bringing together all elements of the spoken voice


• Acting Group Work Fundamentals classes exploring and developing physical acting and application of varying acting theories


• Screen Acting classes introducing basic performance techniques for the camera


• Improvisation classes exploring methods for spontaneous creativity in acting


• Script classes exploring acting techniques and theories through the study of specifically chosen play texts


• Shakespeare classes exploring contextual and character analysis, and connection with grammar, verse and text

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

None

Module content

Applied Voice

To explore, develop and bring together all elements on the spoken voice.  Techniques studied include the exploration of speech sounds into text and verse, delivered from the authentic voice into accents, emotion and character.  Classes explore and examine challenges that face the actor in terms of vocal and acting techniques.

 

Practical Voice

To explore, develop and bring together all elements of the spoken voice.  Classes develop and enhance the students understanding of grounding, centring and alignment to discover range, volume and clarity for sustainable vocal delivery and to enable safe and effective spoken voice projection in a range of performance spaces.

 

Acting Group Work Fundamentals

To explore and develop physical acting and the application of varying acting theories

 

Screen Acting

To discover the basic processes of screen acting techniques including connection with text, understanding of specific screen craft and sustaining truthful characterisation on camera.

 

Improvisation

To explore methods for spontaneous creativity in acting through the playing of scenes without written dialogue.

 

Script

To commence exploration of acting techniques and theories in text, character, storytelling, subtext and author intention through the study of specifically chosen play texts.

 

Shakespeare

To explore contextual and character analysis, and connection with grammar, verse and text in relatable physical performable form.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate, appreciate and explore skills in spoken voice and acting, application of text, character building, physical presence and the physical, emotional, conceptual and philosophical demands placed on the performer in Musical Theatre and other Creative Industries.  Spontaneity, creativity and collaboration are encouraged to release imagination in order for students to develop an awareness of themselves, to note their own physical and vocal patterns, to consider the messages they may give to an audience and to develop their techniques and methodological approaches to work.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

 

Continuous Assessment - Shakespeare.  Practical based Assessment – Teaching Bock 2

• Engagement in character creation


• Approaches to verse


• Sustaining energy and character in class/rehearsal/performance


• Creative and Imaginative solo/partner/ensemble work


• Continuous assessment of class based process

This assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

 

Performance Assessment – Political Speech.  Practical based Assessment – Teaching Block 3

• Connection and engagement with text/narrative/context/character


• Vocal Technique in performance


• Technical understanding


• Breath control Process


• Projection and clarity


• Accuracy of delivery

This assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 3, 4, 5, 6

 

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is embedded within the learning and teaching for this module.  In mirroring industry practice, students are given detailed constant verbal feedback during classes, which enables students to develop and act upon notes given.  Questioning, dialogue, facilitated peer-to-peer feedback and group discussion is undertaken constantly to enable Students develop their critical, and self-reflective skills, to allow them to adjust their work and process in response.

 

 

Feedback

• 
  Students are given detailed constant formative verbal feedback during classes. 
  

Students will receive detailed written summative feedback via SurreyLearn on conclusion of each assessment

Module aims

• Develop fundamental physical, intellectual, practical and emotional skills required in acting
• Foster an understanding of the demands placed on the mind, body and voice in the study and delivery of text and character
• Develop awareness and understanding of how an actor communicates with an audience through various acting, physical and vocal techniques
• Analyse and produce a variety of sounds for various accents to provide an understanding of the vocal mechanism, the vocal support system, breath management and vocal anchoring
• Secure a systematic and healthy personal technique in spoken voice and to enable safe and effective spoken voice projection in a range of performance spaces

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 Level 5 and 6 of the programme and for eventual employability in Musical Theatre and other Creative Industries.

• Enable students to acquire, comprehend, implement, determine and develop appropriate Acting and Vocal techniques


• Allow students to use body, voice, and mind in the study of text analysis and the creation of character

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Practical Acting and Voice classes


• Small Group Script Study tutorials


• Practical Screen Acting seminar classes


• Practical Shakespeare classes


• Group and Individual research sessions

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

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 Musical Theatre students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

 

Digital Capabilities

Throughout Screen Acting class, students will be required to engage with digital technologies to develop their digital literacy, to support their learning journey, and to explore and secure employment opportunities in regard to self-taping for auditions and to gain comprehension of the TV, Film and Commercial sector.  Students will use specialist software to create digital content. 

 

Employability

The focus on employability is embedded in the teaching, learning and assessment activities throughout 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 from the studio, to rehearsal, to peer performance/screen delivery mirroring professional practice.   In all classes covered in this module, students develop transferable skills including independent and collaborative working, creative, critical and reflective thinking, and problem solving. 

   

Global & Cultural Capabilities

Texts for Script, Acting Group Work Fundamentals and Screen Acting classes are used to facilitate students in developing their global, social, historical, and cultural awareness, shared 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 all classes within this module the learning journey is carefully structured so that performance and rehearsal skills can be learned, developed, and integrated resulting in the student 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 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 which are in line with expectations for a successful Musical Theatre career.  

 

Sustainability

Across the module, 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.  In Script, Screen Acting, Acting Group Work Fundamentals and Shakespeare classes, students will understand the impact on audiences of the values, perceptions, and actions of their own, of others and of characters they are portraying in rehearsal and performance. Practical Voice and Applied Voice classes allow the student to work in a sustained safe vocal manner commensurate with rigors of professional delivery.  Students will be nurtured as future leaders in sustainability thinking and empowered to take informed decisions and responsible actions that promote the wellbeing of present and future generations. 

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.