Studio and seminar spaces
Stage-management, lighting and sound equipment
IT Software (e.g. word processing, lighting and sound design software)
Library
Safety equipment, ladders, tools and materials.
Minimal costume, props and settings budget

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available to support this module.

SEMESTER 1
Lectures (1hr) will introduce students to differing production roles, staging forms and the logistics of scheduling theatrical productions. Workshops (1.25 hrs) will entail introductory practical exercises involving, for example, theatre technology (e.g. sound design), stage management and marketing. Part of the module will be delivered by visiting professional theatre practitioners. The module will also involve backstage tours of working theatres. The setting of coursework and an essay assignment will test students' understanding of theatre production roles and staging forms and demonstrate their ability to make written health and safety risk assessments.

A workshop programme will also provide students with Health and Safety training which will support their practical project in the second semester and throughout the remainder of their degree programme.

SEMESTER 2
Each student will undertake an acting and/or directing and/or production role. Weekly staff-led rehearsal workshops (3hrs), independent rehearsals (3hrs) and tutorials will enable student groups explore the challenges of presenting short extracts from plays using the professional methods of rehearsal, performance, direction and theatre production that they have studied in the first semester. This work will culminate in assessed public performances of the extracts in a studio theatre, using minimal settings, in basic "blacks" with costume "add-ons" and with stage-management and technical support. (Students will also be required to participate in production meetings and health and safety training during the course of the project.)

Key Information Set Data:
Scheduled L&T activities 24%
Guided Independent Learning 76%

Essay - 1000 words (30%) [Learning Outcomes 1 & 2]

Practical Project (70%) [Learning Outcomes 2, 3& 4] Consisting of two elements :-
Continuous Assessment - During the rehearsal period the use of professional work practices and methodologies will be taking into account as part of the assessment, which will including attendance, punctuality - and willingness to engage and collaborate creatively with other students and to work as a member of the ensemble and/or production team. In order to ensure that they are able to work safely in a workshop and theatre environment students must attend all four Drama Health and Safety training sessions in order to complete this element of assessment. (Students will be awarded attendance certificates for each Health and Safety training session)

Performance of the project (0.5hrs) - During the final week the student will participate in technical and dress rehearsals and perform an acting part or a production role during the public presentation of an extract of a play. Although this is a group presentation students will be marked individually.

Key Information Set Data:
30% Coursework
70% Practical Exam

SEMESTER 1

Students will be introduced to:

the various disciplines of professional-theatre-making, the roles of production, technical and creative practitioners (e.g. stage management, lighting and set designers), their functions, responsibilities and duties. The processes of theatre production (including: production planning, documentation, critical path analysis, rehearsal scheduling). The history and development of theatre forms and contemporary staging configurations (e.g. proscenium theatre, theatre in the round) and the terminology, geography and facilities of the modern playhouse. The module will also incorporate health and safety and risk assessment training which will be undertaken during both semesters

SEMESTER 2

Working in small groups, a practical project will give students the opportunity to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the first semester. (Including skills gained from other modules.) It will involve the textual analysis of a play and contemporary rehearsal techniques and then the staging and performance of an extract from that play as part of an evening of public presentations. Students will be expected to apply a professional theatre approach to their rehearsal and production process including acting and/or directing, as well as production and technical support (i.e. stage management, lighting design and operation, costumes, props and settings, sound design and operation and publicity and marketing). The culmination of the project will include technical and dress rehearsals and performances of the extract(s) before invited audiences.

Barlow, A. (2008). Handbook of Acting Techniques. NHB
Caird, John, (2010) Theatre Craft, (Faber & Faber)
Elsam, P. (2006). Acting Characters A&C Black
Fraser, Neil (2002). Stage Lighting Explained (Crowood Press)
Fraser, Neil (2004), Theatre History Explained (Crowood Press)
Houseman, B. (2008). Tackling Text and Subtext. NHB
Gillett, J (2009). Acting on Impulse. NHB.
Leacroft, Richard (1973). The Development of the English Playhouse. (Eyre Methuen)
Leonard, John A (2001). Theatre Sound (A & C Black)
Palin, Gail (2008). Stage Management: The Essential Handbook (Nick Hern Books)
Also;- Drama and Theatre Arts Health and Safety Code of Practice