Module Descriptors
INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE DIRECTING
DRAM40105
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Robert James
Email: R.J.Marsden@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 30
Independent Study Hours: 120
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- PORTFOLIO weighted at 50%
- PRACTICAL NOT IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 30%
- VIVA weighted at 20%
Module Details
Module Learning Strategies
Weekly workshops will enable students to explore the relationship between the director and the actor and the challenges involved in the production of short extract(s) of differing styles of text.
Workshops will examine the basis structure of directing a play such as: Pre- rehearsal research and approach; casting, early rehearsals and 'read-throughs'; staging techniques, script analysis; characterisation and rehearsal techniques; problem solving and how to guide actors to a finished result.
Students will work on a number of extracts through which they can apply their understanding and practically explore techniques learnt in the workshops.
Workshops will examine the basis structure of directing a play such as: Pre- rehearsal research and approach; casting, early rehearsals and 'read-throughs'; staging techniques, script analysis; characterisation and rehearsal techniques; problem solving and how to guide actors to a finished result.
Students will work on a number of extracts through which they can apply their understanding and practically explore techniques learnt in the workshops.
Module Texts
Heritage, H. 1996 In Contact With Gods - Directors Talk Theatre. Manchester U.P 1996
Manfull, H. 1992. Taking Stage - Women Directors on Directing. Methuen
Mitter, S 1992 Systems of Rehearsal, Routledge
Taylor , D. 1996. Directing Plays. A & C Black
Unwin, S. 2006. So You Want To be A Theatre Director? N.H.B
Manfull, H. 1992. Taking Stage - Women Directors on Directing. Methuen
Mitter, S 1992 Systems of Rehearsal, Routledge
Taylor , D. 1996. Directing Plays. A & C Black
Unwin, S. 2006. So You Want To be A Theatre Director? N.H.B
Module Resources
IT Software
Drama Studios and Rehearsal Rooms
Library
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
Drama Studios and Rehearsal Rooms
Library
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
Module Indicative Content
This module will involve students in the study and practice of directing actors in theatre plays and will examine the director's overall role and responsibilities.
Students will explore and understand the disciplines and techniques required of both the director and the actor in the professional rehearsal process and will learn the approach to the rehearsal process through the examination of a range of playtexts and genres of work.
Students will also undertake a theatre visit to analyse the production from a directorial point of view
Students will explore and understand the disciplines and techniques required of both the director and the actor in the professional rehearsal process and will learn the approach to the rehearsal process through the examination of a range of playtexts and genres of work.
Students will also undertake a theatre visit to analyse the production from a directorial point of view
Module Additional Assessment Details
A PORTFOLIO weighted at 50% (LO's 1, 2)
This individually marked portfolio of 1500 words will consist of Director's Logs of all the independent rehearsals undertaken as well as written directorial approaches to the texts studied.
A PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT of 10 minutes weighted at 30% (LO's 1, 3)
This individually marked assessment will see students be assessed on the directing of a short extract or scene from a chosen play.
A VIVA of 10 minutes weighted at 20% (LO 1)
The individually assessed viva, following the Practical Assessment, will allow students to contextualise the process of the rehearsals in relation to the final result.
This individually marked portfolio of 1500 words will consist of Director's Logs of all the independent rehearsals undertaken as well as written directorial approaches to the texts studied.
A PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT of 10 minutes weighted at 30% (LO's 1, 3)
This individually marked assessment will see students be assessed on the directing of a short extract or scene from a chosen play.
A VIVA of 10 minutes weighted at 20% (LO 1)
The individually assessed viva, following the Practical Assessment, will allow students to contextualise the process of the rehearsals in relation to the final result.