| Unit name | Devised Performance |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THTR30003 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. McCormack |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
THTR10002 Production for Design and Performance OR DRAM10028 Production Skills for Performance 1 |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | Department of Theatre |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit will explore a range of contemporary performance practices that do not use an already existing play text as their starting point, and investigate appropriate critical, historical and theoretical frameworks within which to analyse key examples as well as the students’ own practice. Practical workshops will explore strategies for devising, which might include text-based improvisation, physical or systems theatre, the use of multi-media, and found or verbatim texts. The unit will also explore the work of key historical and contemporary practitioners The unit will develop students’ creative and technical skills, and understanding of design, towards the production of an original piece of devised theatre.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. demonstrate the ability to research, develop, rehearse and stage an original devised performance;
2. apply creative and constructive collaboration skills in group-based workshops and as an ensemble or company;
3. apply tools for devising and production and be capable of adapting these methods to new material or varied rehearsal contexts;
4. work independently and reach individual, conceptually-informed judgements within a collaborative context;
5. articulate and discuss devising and production processes in a self-reflexive way, with reference to a range of advanced critical and theoretical ideas.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous practical workshops, screenings, lectures and self-directed research exercises. Sessions will initially explore the devising methods of a range of relevant practitioners. In later sessions, students will form small devising companies; staff will supervise and offer feedback on self-directed group work, culminating in an intensive period and a performance, where possible. If a live physical performance is not possible, digital and other alternatives will be used to assess student practical work.
1. Group performance (80%) Group mark [ILOs 1 - 4]
If a physical performance is not possible, digital or other alternatives will be used to assess student work
2. Viva (20%) Individual mark [ILOs 1, 4, 5]
The Viva will be 15 minutes long, structured such that there is 5 minutes in which the student can present their reflections, followed by 10 minutes of questions. These will be focused around critical discussion of the performance shown, individual understanding of group decisions, the conception of the work, understanding of its devising process, inspirations, wider context and how it could be developed further.
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. THTR30003).
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.
