Performance Portfolio (100%)
An annotated portfolio of work comprising:
• Evidence of research, planning and rehearsal for a full-length contemporary theatre production
• Participation in a live full-length contemporary theatre production to an audience
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Formative Assessment
Observation of engagement in practical activity
Participation in discussions and progress reviews

Contemporary theatre is often derived from the traditional, though it is also true to say that much new material is being created, leading contemporary works to become more diverse and dramatic. Developing writing styles, influences of modern art and design, cultural and socio-economic change can all be experienced through theatre work today. Modern theatre works ever more address challenging political and social issues presenting new dimensions to the contemporary audience.

In this module, you will continue to develop and integrate your acting ability. You will be aiming to a professional standard, building confidence and proficiency, making more independent decisions with regards to your employment preferences and have an increasing understanding of the requirements of mounting a full length theatre production. The focus in this module is on contemporary theatre. You will explore a variety of contemporary performances, critically considering background material and characters, and their relevance to specific audiences and consider what makes a contemporary theatre production successful or otherwise.

This exploration will underpin your creative practical work. Negotiating within a team you will collaboratively plan for an original creative response to the task of producing a full length contemporary theatre production of a given play, and demonstrating appropriate contextual awareness. You will audition and be cast a role in this contemporary theatre play and will develop your character through an appropriate selection of acting styles and approaches, and application of voice and movement skills in accordance with the nature of that role. You will participate in rehearsal and group critique, experimenting with ideas and concepts to ultimately produce a creative and original interpretation of a full length contemporary theatre production. This will be performed in front of an audience in a professional theatre setting.

It will be necessary to carry out a substantial amount of work in your own time, and you may draw upon a wide range of sources in order to bring the material and your character to life during workshops, rehearsals and eventual performance. Your ability to work in a conscientious, supportive, committed manner - embracing etiquette, dedication, focus, research and ability to take direction and advice - will all be considered at assessment, together with an ability to faithfully reproduce for the stage the performance role that has been created, explored and delivered in the rehearsal process.

Throughout the module you must document your research and planning, and development of your character(s) through rehearsal to final performance, as this will be presented in a portfolio to support you performance work for assessment.

Strategies in this module are active and practically focussed and will require a mix of individual and collaborative learning, both in and out of timetabled sessions. Activities will allow you to apply your existing theoretical and contextual knowledge, and creative and technical skills through a full-length contemporary theatre production, thus allowing you to make sense of your prior learning in a professional work related context. You will continue to learn from others by exploring existing work and by making connections with the tasks you have been set. These tasks will challenge you to combine and refine your abilities through practise, discovery and problem solving. The assignment will require you to engage in independent learning through research into the performance as a whole and the character that you are portraying, whether this be from primary and/or secondary sources and there will be an expectation throughout this module that you approach this requirement proactively in order that your progress is not hindered.

Learning will be facilitated through the following:
• In class research activities including an exploration of existing work via streaming services, DVD, internet, cable and satellite
• Independent research (primary and/or secondary as applicable) an including visits to the theatre
• Developmental workshops to include theoretical, contextual and technical awareness
• Rehearsals
• Auditions and castings
• Performance to audience
• Reflective practice
• Group critique and critical debate
• 1:1 tutorials and progress review

Acting Studio
Theatre Venue
IPads
CD / USB / iPod Boom Box
Internet and IT Access
Licensed script / performance material
Assorted Costumes / Props

Artaud, A. (2000) The Theater and its Double: Grove Press
Bentley, E. (2008) The Theory of the Modern Stage: Penguin Classics
Berry, C. (2000) The Actor and the Text: Virgin
Brook, P. (2008) The Empty Space: Penguin
Eyre, R. and Wright, N. (2000) Changing Stages: A View of British and American Theatre in the Twentieth Century: BBC (and accompanying video series)
Grotowski, J. (2002) Towards a Poor Theatre: Routledge
Hodge, A. (1999) Twentieth Century Actor Training: Routledge
Innes, C. (1992) Modern British Drama 1890 to 1990: Cambridge
Kalb, J. (1989) Beckett in Performance: Cambridge
Shellard, D. (2000) British Theatre Since the War: Yale University Press

1. DEVELOP ORIGINAL IDEAS ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER(S) AND UNDERSTAND HOW TECHNIQUES AND PROCESSES CAN BE INTEGRATED AND APPLIED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING, DEVELOPING AND PRESENTING A CONTEMPORARY THEATRE PRODUCTION.
[Learning]

2. EXPLORE AND EVALUATE INFORMATION SOURCES IN ORDER TO GENERATE ORIGINAL IDEAS ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER(S) AND BE ABLE TO PLAN CREATIVELY FOR A CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION DRAWING ON FORMATS AND IDEAS GENERATED IN YOUR RESEARCH.
[Enquiry]

3. RECOGNISE PROBLEMS AND PRESENT SOLUTIONS WHEN DEVELOPING ORIGINAL IDEAS FOR A CONTEMPORARY THEATRE PRODUCTION AND THROUGHOUT THE STAGES OF PLANNING, REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE.
[Problem Solving]

4. APPLY CONTEXTUAL KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING OF INTERRELATED ACTING DISCIPLINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING, REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE OF A CONTEMPORARY THEATRE PRODUCTION
[Application]

5. WORK SUCCESSFULLY WITHIN A TEAM, EFFECTIVELY EXPRESSING AND LISTENING TO IDEAS AND INTENTIONS, AND ENCOURAGING CONTRIBUTION FROM OTHERS.
[Working with Others]