NATURALISM AND THE ACTOR - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module will engage students in the study of Naturalism, examining its origins, influence, impact and legacy upon theatre and actor training.  Practitioners to be studied include, but are not restricted to: Ibsen, Strindberg, Chekhov, Stanislavski, Shaw, O'Neill. Original performance contexts will be studied alongside historical and contemporary development and contexts. Students will have the freedom to investigate Naturalism within the context of non-Western theatre practices if they wish.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

DAVIDSON Andrew (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Online and Distance study arising from the module material and Essential Reading  texts, as laid out in the module reading list. Topics and practitioners to be studied include, but are not restricted to: Zola, Ibsen, Strindberg, Anton Chekhov, Stanislavski, Shaw, Antoine


• Seminar sessions amounting to two full days at GSA (also available remotely and online)   to include writing skills, personal tutorials and target setting and the study of Naturalism and Western actor training traditions

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the following through their formal written summative submission, in addition to their engagement with the formative assessment, module content and associated activities (addressing all of the learning outcomes):

• Demonstrate the ability to retrieve and process information and to communicate clearly in writing


• Knowledge and understanding of key historical, political, social and ethical developments in theatre        


• Knowledge and understanding of theories of acting and styles of theatrical performance   


• Apply key theories of performance, theatrical reception and critique on influential theatrical texts and their contexts


• Apply critical thought and understanding to key historical, political, social and ethical developments in theatre


• Analyse and evaluate the impact of past traditions and contexts upon contemporary theatrical practices


• Evaluate the work of others with critical objectivity

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• 2,500 word essay in response to a set question/task

Formative assessment

Formative Assessment consists of an outline plan for the summative assignment in the students own choice of form, which may include, but is not restricted to an essay plan, poster, PowerPoint or equivalent software presentation, podcast (1000 words or equivalent)

Feedback

Informal formative feedback from tutors will be provided via, but is not restricted to, the virtual learning environment, email exchange, personal tutorials in person or via Skype, or equivalent software.

Ongoing informal formative feedback from the tutor is facilitated by, but not restricted to, structured discussion boards on the virtual learning environment and email exchange.

Summative formal written feedback will follow submission of the summative assessment.

Module aims

• This module aims to enable students to engage with historical and contemporary perspectives of Naturalism in performance and Western actor training traditions, in order to gain and evidence a knowledge of:
• Theatre as a social, moral, ethical voice
• The relationship between the actor and audience
• The development of actor training
• The construction of Naturalism in performance
• The construction of theatrical and social meaning across cultures and societies

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Actively engage online and distance learners with Naturalism and Western actor training through a range of learning and teaching strategies


• Enable the online and distance learner to access core concepts studied and apply these to selected contexts


• Allow the online and distance learner to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of Naturalism and Western actor training through the structured exploration of performance possibilities and production history of selected texts

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Study based on module content and associated activities via the virtual learning environment during teaching block 3.


• Seminar weekend.


• Tutor guided distance learning/independent study based on required purchase texts and online Library resources.

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: TDLM016

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

Global and Cultural Capabilities

Through collaboration and research students will engage with a wide range of perspectives and people, guided by supervision to challenge their assumptions and knowledge, and be supported to make ethical and sustainable choices in their research and any practical work. 

Resourcefulness and Resilience

An ethos of self-reflection and self-awareness forms an integral part of the learning journey, developing students’ resilience through collaborative and effective engagement with peer-to-peer observation.

Digital Capabilities

The online delivery of this module is such that students learn to navigate and use the virtual learning environment (SurreyLearn) and other digital resources (such as Drama Online, Digital Theatre+ and Box of Broadcasts) to aid their learning and undertake research. Appropriate use of current digital media and communication platforms is encouraged to engage in critical peer discussions and foster supportive learning networks.

Sustainability

The delivery of this module incorporates the ethos set out by the UN’s 17 sustainability goals. Students engage critically with socio-political contexts and questions surrounding theatre throughout the module. Students are also encouraged to consider the environmental and social impact of theatre creation through their research and reflection.

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.