THEORIES OF PERFORMANCE - 2025/6

Module Overview

Theories of Performance is the second of six compulsory modules within the BA (Hons) Theatre. Students will investigate a series of critical theories, philosophical lenses, and methodological perspectives, and subsequently apply the key concepts of one of these in the process of analysing a set play text, considering it on the page and in performance.

The coursework essay is the summative assessment.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

TUNSTALL Darren (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 consists of 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. Theories of Performance may include the following indicative topics: semiotics, phenomenology, feminism, postmodern, queer theory. Seminars and tutorials will focus on the application of critical theories to theatre texts and live performances, 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 key theatrical texts and performance conventions.


• Knowledge and comprehension of key theoretical perspectives on theatre and its performance.


• The ability to analyse and evaluate the relationships between dramatic texts and their social, historical, and political contexts.


• The ability to apply critical thinking to theatrical work and articulate the written results with an independent academic voice.


• Clear communication in written coursework on a digital platform.


• The formulation and expression of ideas in an objective and responsible manner.


• 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 critical approaches to the analysis of theatre texts and performances.
• Enable students to develop critical thinking skills in order to apply theory to the study of performance.
• 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 theories of performance.


• Unfold a structured exploration of critical theories and a selection of associated dramatic texts.


• Enable the online learner to apply theory to a considered analysis of a selected theatrical work.


• 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: TDL3014

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:

Global and Cultural Capabilities, Digital Capabilities, Employability and Sustainability.

Theories of Performance contributes to achieving the educational aims of the programme by upgrading students' academic capabilities, offering a theoretical toolkit on the path to employability, promoting cultural engagement with pivotal texts in the history of theatre, fostering digital citizenship through the nature of online learning, and integrating practice with research, thus preparing students for a wide range of potential professional destinations.

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.