Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

As a contemporary performance-maker or actor you need to acquire a broad range of skills in both theoretical and practical understandings relating to the meaningful and expressive use of your voice, body and imagination in the service of 'telling stories', whether in scripted or non-scripted contexts.

This unit introduces the necessary foundations for the development of the skilful and creative performer, and, for non-performers, provides a solid introduction to text and performance analysis invaluable to future performance makers, teachers, playwrights and directors.

Aims

This unit aims to introduce you to a range of insights, analytical skills and practical performance exercises to assist in the development of a personal methodology for creating performance, within a professional ethos.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Understand the origins and apply the fundamentals of realism to performance.
2. Employ appropriate analysis, vocal and ensemble skills to realise script.
3. Develop a personal methodology for 'preparing to perform' and demonstrate an awareness of professional rehearsal process.
4. Apply effective written communication skills

Content

This unit addresses content such as the theoretical and practical approaches to creating performance work.
The theoretical study introduces you to key concepts as they apply to the performer in the space. You will also be introduced to the fundamentals of performance analysis that include narrative structure and form, dramaturgy and text analysis.
At a practical level you will engage in a number of workshops and group created exercises that will help develop your performance expressivity. These workshops are designed to provide you with vocal, physical, ensemble and analytical tools that will assist your understanding of the principles of performance and enhance your ability to participate in higher-level performance activity.
Particular emphasis is given to your 'professional' responsibility for personal engagement and the efficient use of rehearsal time, both autonomous and tutor-directed, and for the development of a reliable and creative performance creative process.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Lectures, Workshops, Master Classes, Directed Rehearsals, Autonomous Rehearsals and Personal Reading and Research over the semester.

Lectures and a reading program will introduce concepts and approaches that will be discussed and explored and applied in workshops and rehearsals of short scenes or performance work, both scripted and non-scripted. This performance work is presented and evaluated in in-class showings.

Performance-making is a cooperative activity, and you must be available to work in small teams outside normal class time, with sufficient flexibility to coordinate your rehearsal availability with that of others in your group. Attendance at all workshops, tutorials, directed and autonomous rehearsals and performances is strongly recommended.

Assessment

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information see the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTFormative Assessment
Throughout the process of workshops and rehearsals, tutors will provide feedback to you which will inform all assessments items. It is recommended that you keep a Journal/Workbook as a record of your discoveries and feedback through the course of your study and as a resource for future performance endeavour.

SUMMATIVESummative Assessment

Assessment name: Performance
Description: (Summative) Performance Showings from first half of semester, includes evaluation of rehearsal processes and performance.
Relates to objectives: 1-3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Performance
Description: (Summative) Performance Showings, includes evaluation of rehearsal processes and performance.
Relates to objectives: 1-3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: (Summative) Analytical responses to key textbook readings.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required Texts

O'Neil, R. (2007) The Actor's Checklist: Creating the Complete Character (Third Edition) Thomson Wadworth, Belmont CA.
Cohen, R. (2002) Acting One / Acting Two (Fifth Ed) McGraw-Hill, New York.

Recommended Reading
Benedetti, J. (1982) Stanislavski: An Introduction Methuen, London.
Berry, C. (1992) The Actor and the Text, Applause Books, New York.
Berry C. (2006) Wordplay: a textual handbook for directors and actors, Oberon Books Ltd. UK.
Boal, A.(1992) Games for Actors and Non-actors Routledge, UK.
Callery, D. (2001) Through the Body, Nick Hern Books, London.
Dennis, A. (2002) The Articulate Body: the physical training of the actor, Nick Hern, New York.
Hagen,U. (1973) Respect for Acting Macmillan, London.
Linklater, K. (2006) Freeing the Natural Voice, Nick Hern Books, London
Rodenburg, P. (2002) The Actor Speaks: voice and the performer, Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
Shapiro, M. (2006) An Actor Performs (second edition)Thomson and Wadsworth.

Risk assessment statement

As all performance-makers understand, creating a performance potentially carries with it certain physical and/or emotional risks, both in the rehearsal room and in the theatre. Indeed taking risks is an integral component of the art forms processes. Some rehearsal warm ups and exercises, and some performance events may include physically or emotionally strenuous activities. Managing this risk to ensure working conditions are safe, is always a high priority in the production process. It is therefore extremely important that if you are aware of personal physical or emotional vulnerabilities that make you feel unsafe or at risk in any way, you should immediately inform your tutor or director or stage manager, so that your situation can be evaluated and appropriate rectifying action can be taken.

Theatres and other performance spaces are also potentially dangerous places, particularly backstage during performances when lowlight conditions prevail. You will be warned by the stage manager, the production manager or the director of any specific risks that you will need to be aware of, when your project team first moves in to the theatre. Whenever moving into a new performance space, you should always conduct your own risk assessment, and notify your team or director of any hazards you have personally identified.

Every effort is made by Drama staff at QUT to ensure that you work in a safe environment. Conversely you are absolutely expected to follow all safety rules, procedures and directions, and to ensure that you do not put at risk the safety of others, or yourself, or of the highest artistic fulfilment of the project in any way. As such it is recommended that students read and apply the Autonomous Rehearsal Protocols outlined by Drama available on Blackboard.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 14-Jan-2013