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Unit information: Staging the Text in 2021/22

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Staging the Text
Unit code THTR10006
Credit points 20
Level of study C/4
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Mark France
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

Introduction to Performance Studies and Introduction to Performance Practices OR

Introduction to Performance Studies and Introduction to Design for Performance

School/department Department of Theatre
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit introduces students to a range of approaches to staging a play for an audience. Practical, studio-based workshops will explore various ways of performing dramatic texts; directorial and acting techniques will be developed. Beginning with interpretation and textual analysis, students will follow the process from page to stage, collaborating in groups to rehearse a scene or scenes from a chosen play. The unit will explore exemplary stagings, actors, directors, dramaturgs or ensembles, and will develop students’ critical skills through reflection on their own and others’ practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will have developed their

(1) ability to stage a scene or scenes from a play;

(2) practical understanding of a range of ways of acting and directing;

(3) approaches to interpreting a play and analysing texts for performance;

(4) ability to collaborate effectively, constructively and creatively in group-based workshops;

(5) ability to apply and adapt the tools introduced through taught workshops to their own interpretations of scenes;

(6) approaches to documenting workshops, contextual research, rehearsal processes and performance;

(7) critical engagement with theatre through reflections on their own and others’ practices.

Teaching Information

Students will initially take part in practical workshops, followed by self-directed research, development and rehearsals in groups, with staff tutorials. The unit concludes with a rehearsal and production period, leading up to the assessed performance. If a live physical performance is not possible, digital and other alternatives will be used to assess student practical work.

The taught workshops develop students' ways of approaching a play and provide tools for interpreting, devising around, directing, acting and staging a text. These will be contextualised by further reading, discussion, occasional presentations of research and screenings. Workshops are increasingly self-directed and teaching will take the form of group tutorials and feedback on ideas for staging, performance material produced and work-in-progress. The rehearsal and production period runs in conjunction with Producing the Performance.

Assessment Information

Essay (2000 words) (30%) ILO 2, 3, 5, 7

Critical analysis (1000 words) (20%) ILO 3, 4, 6, 7.

Practical work: for a group mark (50%) ILO 1,2,4,5

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THTR10006).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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