Overview

Contemporary Theatre Practice is a module that explores theatre making at an advanced level. Through performance, direction and dramaturgy, students will be encouraged to establish companies and produce their own work to explore artistic policy on the 21st Century Stage. Understanding of research and development exploration and production values will be shared and practiced and through discussion and practical application, the module will investigate creative strategies, methods and theoretical issues arising from creating contemporary theatre.

The learner will be involved within a theatre production (be it as an actor or within a creative team), undergoing practice-led research.

Explore advance theatre making methods to develop creative practice.

Introduce theoretical and practical research in Contemporary Theatre Practice.

Develop a short company theatre production as practice-led research.

The module runs every 2 years with students from the second and third year of undergraduate study working together

Assessment Strategy

Threshold (D- to D+) •Knowledge of key areas/principles only •Weaknesses in understanding of main areas •Limited evidence of background study •Performance or written response only poorly focussed on question and with some irrelevant material and poor structure •Arguments presented but lack coherence •Several factual/computational errors/unconvincing performance •No original interpretation •Only major links between topics are described •Weak group skills •Many weaknesses in presentation/performance and accuracy

Good/Satisfactory (C- to C+) •Knowledge of key areas/principles •Understands main areas •Limited evidence of background study •Written or performance response focussed on assignment but also with some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure •Arguments presented but lack coherence •Has several factual/computational errors/mostly unconvincing performance •No original interpretation •Only major links between topics are described •Limited problem solving/satisfactory team work •Some weaknesses in presentation/performance and accuracy

Very Good/Good (B- to B+) •Comprehensive knowledge •Detailed understanding •Background study •Focussed and well structured written or performance response •Logically presented and defended most arguments •Some to No factual/computational errors/committed and convincing performance •Some Original interpretation •New links between topics are developed •Strong group skills •Very good presentation with accurate communication

Excellent (A- to A+) •Comprehensive knowledge •Detailed understanding •Extensive background study •Highly focussed and well structured written or performance response •Logically presented and defended arguments •No factual/computational errors/committed and convincing performance •Original interpretation •New links between topics are developed •Strong group skills •Excellent presentation with very accurate communication

Learning Outcomes

• Apply and evaluate the appropriate skills, working methods and approaches for conducting performance work.

• Identify and discuss the theoretical and practical strategies that are currently in evidence within contemporary theatre practice thoroughly.

• Plan and apply independent research-based investigation to inform written and practical work.

• Plan and engage in practice-based exploration for the generation of an original performance.