| Unit name | Making Theatre |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THTR10013 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Reimers |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Theatre |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
This unit provides you with the opportunity to acquire and consolidate the skills and knowledge required to plan, develop and implement a performance in the Department of Theatre. It will allow you to broaden your understanding of what theatre is and does, and to try out new skills and ways of working. The unit focuses on the development of practical skills and the integration of these elements to create a performance. Along the way, you will be introduced to a range of key practitioners, theoretical approaches and production processes. You will see how these all contribute to the mode of critically engaged performance-making that underpins all practical work that you will subsequently encounter in the Department.
In addition to developing your skills individually, you will also develop skills in collaborative and ensemble working, including the importance of taking personal responsibility for elements of group work.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study:
This unit is designed to provide students on all programmes with a foundational theatre-making experience. Making Theatre equips you with core skills in design, production and ensemble work needed to participate in performance work throughout your degree. It will give you an overview of the diverse range of elements that are involved in theatre-making and a chance to develop some specialist skills in more depth. It will also allow you to develop widely transferrable skills such as reflective writing, creative problem-solving and risk assessment.
Overview of content
The first teaching block will focus on research and development activities, introducing the work of key practitioners and exploring the relationship between theory and practice in the process of creating critically-informed work. In this teaching block, you will develop practical skills in workshopping and generating ideas for performance-making. It will provide conceptual introduction to scenography and dramaturgy, and a hands-on introduction to a range of laboratory skills.
The second teaching block turns its focus to performance-making, and you will implement scenographic and dramaturgical concepts in practice. Through studio-based learning, you will develop production, design, directing, and acting skills. Over the course of the teaching block, you will sustain a creative process from initial ideas through performance, to reflection and evaluation, applying peer and tutor feedback to continually develop and improve your work.
How will you, personally, be different as a result of the unit
After taking this unit, you will have a broader understanding of the practicalities and potentialities of theatre-making processes and a sense of where your own particular interests and skills may lie. Having integrated a range of performance elements – for example text, scenography, movement, costume, and lighting – you will have a stronger appreciation of how meaning is made in performance. You’ll also have a clearer understanding of the relationship between theory and practice, with additional knowledge of key practitioners and theoretical approaches, which you can go on to apply to your own creative work. You will have gained confidence in your ability to participate in the process of making theatre. By working closely with others as a member of a group, you will improve your skills in collaboration, communication and the art of compromise. Finally, by engaging in reflective practices such as keeping a workfile, you will develop as a reflective and adaptive, creative, collaborative practitioner.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
The unit takes a student-centred approach to learning, designed to foster your autonomy and independence as performance-makers. In the first teaching block, you will engage with a range of studio-based practical activities which will prepare you for integrating multiple performance elements in the second half of the unit. In the second teaching block, you will undertake project-based learning, as you work collaboratively with your peers to create a staging integrating multiple performance elements.
In addition to weekly workshops, you will also participate in weekly lectures and provocations, where you will encounter key concepts and approaches. Throughout the unit you will also undertake independent research, developing your research skills and your ability to apply these to practice. By making work in the Department’s theatres, you will gain industry-relevant production skills.
Indicative Weekly Contact hours:
TB1
1 x 1-hour lecture
3 x 2-hour workshops
Weekly skills labs (optional)
TB2
1x 1-hour lecture
1x 3-hour staff-led workshop
1x 3 hr student-led rehearsal
Weekly skills labs (optional)
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Throughout the teaching block, you will learn through a series of workshops, practical tutorials and lectures, plus tasks that will be completed independently. You will receive continuous feedback from tutors and your peers.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
1. Individual portfolio, 1500-words (40%) (ILO 1,2, 4)
2. Group performance, 3-minutes per group member (40%) (ILO 1, 3)
3. Individual critical reflection, 500-words (10%) (ILO 4)
4. Contribution Mark (10%) (ILO 1, 2, 3)
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
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. THTR10013).
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 University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
