1. Develop your knowledge and understanding of collaborative theatre making concepts, histories, processes, practices, working methods and terminologies associated with realising text in performance. Knowledge and understanding.

2 Critically and Creatively engage in reading and research appropriate for your specialist area of study and develop intellectual rigour and conceptual understanding to inform your thinking and development of your work.
Knowledge and Understanding .
Analysis.

3.. Work, imaginatively and creatively to generate a speculative directorial/scenographic concept for a classical and contemporary play.
Application.

4. Curate an annotated creative portfolio of work and reflect upon the efficacy of choices made. Reflection.

Independent research task and seminar presentation: LO 1,2
(Research seminar presentation 25% - 15-minute presentation)

Creative and critical reflection, informed by portfolio. 1,2,3,4.
(Creative and critical reflection, informed by evidential and negotiated portfolio 75% 45 minutes (15 minutes presentation followed by 30 minutes conversation)

Using appropriate subject specific terms and vocabularies, you will be introduced to a range of contemporary modes of practice and working methodologies associated with the collaborative process of visualising and realising play texts from page to stage.

You will examine, analyse and consider how theatre designers/scenographers (set, costume, lighting, sound) and members of the stage management and technical teams work independently and collectively with a director to create and develop the play’s artistic concept, landscapes and world(s) of the play for performance.

The professional roles and responsibilities of the creative team will be studied from a variety of performance perspectives and environments. These will be examined and contextualised from the work of key theatre practitioners, artistic movements and influences.

Through investigating and interrogating a classical and contemporary text in workshops and seminars, you will be asked to identify possible production choices, performance opportunities and theatre making processes appropriate for the visualisation and realisation of these texts in performance.

The module will be taught through blended learning, via a series of masterclasses, seminars, tutorials and workshops.

During the module, you will be mentored by an experienced theatre practitioner. She/he will support your learning and help you to reflect upon, analyse, monitor, and develop your own work. Each mentor will recommend personalised reading lists appropriate to your interests and expertise.

A key part of your learning will be to advance your personal subject specific skills and collaborative theatre skills through individual and group research. You will be actively encouraged to critique your own practice and learn from your fellow students by sharing knowledge through engaging in critical and creative debates, collaborating on tasks and assignments, and reflecting upon and applying feedback.

You will be given opportunities to negotiate with staff on the role/s you would like to undertake in your forthcoming modules. Negotiations should ensure that the productions can be resourced and will meet the learning outcomes of the module. A record of the outcomes of your negotiations will be formalised in a learning contract.

You will be taught by Creative Industry experts, professional theatre practitioners and departmental staff who will offer differing opinions and perspectives, which will hopefully challenge, extend, stimulate and inspire your thinking and practice.

Your learning will also be supported by wider university staff, including specialist help to support research and study skills.

Essential reading:
Bennett, S and Massai, S. (2019) Ivo van Hove: From Shakespeare to David Bowie. Oxford University Press.
Kirwan, P. (2019). Shakespeare in the Theatre: Cheek by Jowl. Bloomsbury.

Recommended reading:
Aronson A. Looking into the Abyss: Essays on Scenography - Michigan Press (2005).
Baker, G A Handbook of Costume Drawing – Focal Press (2000).
Barton. R. Style For Actors – Routledge (2010).
Block. G. Speaking the Speech – NHB (2015).
Caldarone M. Actions: The Actors Thesaurus – NHB (2004).
Cohen, R. Acting Power – Routledge (2010).
Deiorio, V. The Art of Theatrical Sound Design: A Practical Guide (Backstage) Bloomsbury 2018
Donnellan D. The Actor and the Target – NHB (2005).
Fry, G, Sound Design for the Stage - Crowood Theatre Companions (2019).
Hines A. Acting Shakespeare’s Language - Oberon Books (2015).
Houseman B. Finding Your Voice – NHB (2002).
Howard, P. What is Scenography – Routledge (2009).
Hunter K. Cracking Shakespeare: A Guide for Actors and Directors (+video)- Bloomsbury (2015).
Huaixiang, Tan. Character Costume Figure Drawing – Focal Press (2010).
Ingham R. From Page to Stage: How Theatre Designers Make Connections – Heinemann(1998).
Leher, Jonah. Imagine - How Creativity Works – Houghton Mifflin (2012).
Michalko, M. Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques. Ten Speed Press (2006).
Mitchell K. The Director's Craft: Routledge (2008).
Molsey N. Actioning: How to do it? (2006).
Moran N. The Right Light: Interviews with Contemporary Lighting Designers.
Moran N, Performance Lighting Design: How to Light for the Stage, Concerts and Live Events (2019)
Mort S. Stage Lighting- the Technicians Guide: An on the job reference tool. Performance Books (2011)
Murray, B How to Direct a Play - Oberon Books (2011).
Orton, Keith. Model Making for the Stage. Crowood Press Ltd. (2004).
Pallin, G, Stage Management: The Essential Handbook – (2010)
Porter L. Unmasking Theatre Design - Focal Press (2015). Holden A. Structural Design for the Stage – (2015)

Rodenburg, P. Presence - Penguin Book (2007).
Rowe, C. Drawing and Rendering for Theatre: A Practical course for Scenic, Costume and Lighting Designers Focal Press (2007).
Stern T, Rehearsal from Shakespeare to Sheridan – OUP (2000).
Swain, R. Directing – Methuen (2011)
Taylor C. Navigating Color Mixing in the Midst of an Led Revolution (2019)

Tutorial and seminar space, with facilities for portfolio creation.
Presentation facilities for formal presentations.
University Library
IT facilities
Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant.
Online Resources including:
Drama on line - https://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/v
BBC Box of Broadcasts - https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/libraryresources

In addition to the above students will be expected to attend theatre visits, RSC Archive in Stratford, National Theatre Archive in London and listen to various podcasts,