Module Descriptors
INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE DIRECTING
DRAM40205
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
- PRACTICAL NOT IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
To consist of:
A PERFORMANCE PROJECT of between 20 and 30 minutes weighted at 70% (LO's 1,2, 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 30% (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.
Key Information Set Data:
Practical Exams - 100% - A Performance Project and a Viva
A PERFORMANCE PROJECT of between 20 and 30 minutes weighted at 70% (LO's 1,2, 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 30% (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.
Key Information Set Data:
Practical Exams - 100% - A Performance Project and a Viva
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 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.
Key Information Set Data:
Scheduled L&T activities - 20%
Guided Independent Learning - 80 %
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.
Key Information Set Data:
Scheduled L&T activities - 20%
Guided Independent Learning - 80 %
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.