PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module enables the student to develop their theoretical knowledge of either areas of theatre, dance and performance or the pedagogies of acting, voice and movement for professional performance or teaching. The module is centered on the creation of an independent research project that reflects the student¿s own professional and creative interests.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

TURNER Thomas (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 Professional Practice module develops the student¿s knowledge of professional theatre practice and enables them to engage with sustained independent practice and research in either the area of theatre, dance and performance and/or the pedagogies of professional actor training.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

• An ability to reflect critically on process and outcome


• Develop a credible and creative approach to their own practice


• Communicate effectively written, verbal or physical form


• Develop a range of strategies for managing a career in the performing arts


• Effective communication as a peer learner


• Fluency across a range of digital learning platforms

  Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• A sustained independent project (12000 words or equivalent) including a critical evaluation and literature review into a topic of the student’s choice and may contain captured practical elements as appropriate to areas of practice as research

Formative assessment

Students will submit a detailed research proposal document for the Sustained Independent Project  (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 online.


Summative formal written feedback will follow submission of the summative assessment

Module aims

• Facilitate professional knowledge, skills and creativity
• Facilitate original practice and research
• Stimulate constructive and critical reflection upon process and outcome
• Help the student negotiate the transition from training/education to professional practice
• Allow learners to build upon and further develop skills nurtured during the Professional Development Module (TDLM012).

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

 

• Help ensure students acquire and demonstrate industry level skills


• Facilitate students’ creativity and critical rigor


• Actively engage online students as they undertake original practice and independent research


• Learning and teaching methods include: seminars and personal tutorials; supervised research; independent study; peer-to-peer observation and collaborative work.


• Engender a critical understanding of the global cultural and historical context of theatre, both as an art form but also through the lens of teaching and learning.


• Foster a collaborative approach to learning processes, through supportive learning networks, guided discussions and peer review processes.


• Encourage ‘whole student’ learning wellbeing, promoting students’ development as resourceful and resilient learners.

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: TDLM018

Other information

GSA delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.

Employability

This module seeks to develop learners understanding of the professional practice of theatre, in a variety of contexts. Through independent research and engagement with seminars and tutorials, learners are equipped with both a practical and theoretical of potential employment opportunities and how to navigate them upon graduation.

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.

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.