DRAM20170 Introduction to Acting

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module introduces students to the basics of acting through a practical approach to analysing a play and performing a dramatic monologue. Beginning with Stanislavski, and using interpretations of his approach, students will learn to analyse a play towards performance, conducting practical work in studio and analytical work through supported autonomous learning. Students will acquire a vocabulary of concepts that enable them to create a sense of psychological character through action in performance, to analyse and perform a monologue as a component part of a larger play text, and to assess the acting work of others using the acquired vocabulary. Specifically, students will examine character motivation and relationship as the central tenets of dramatic performance, alongside conflict, space, place, and context as well as humour and the creation of events and importance.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Learning Outcomes
● Students will understand the process of analysing a play text toward performance
● Students will workshop and perform a monologue, within an audition environment
● Students will have acquired a basic analytical performance vocabulary and master key concepts in the creation of character
● Students will have a greater understand of theatrical style and genre, especially realism

Indicative Module Content:

The module will consist of two-hour workshops that bring together theoretical and on-your-feet investigations of the basics of choosing and acting a monologue. Through engagement with supplementary readings, students will learn about the dramaturgy of realism and naturalism, and how to craft a short performance. Learning will take place first through doing, and second through watching and engaging with your peers’ work in a workshop environment. Students will have the opportunity to perform their monologues more than once, so that they will be able to bring new knowledge and the feedback of the instructor and fellow students to bear on their work.

Assessment
The students will be assessed on their engagement in and attendance of classes; their class presentation and on a book review of the module’s primary text.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

78
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is run as monologue workshop, engaging in active/task-based learning, peer assessment, critical writing, reflective learning, case-based learning, and student presentations, etc. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Monologue Workshop -- first pass Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Assignment: Monologue workshop -- second pass Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Continuous Assessment: Weekly Workshop Reflective Writing -- Using the vocabulary learned in the module, students will assess the work of their peers in the weekly workshop. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Practical Examination: Students will perform their monologue for instructor and class as a final presentation. Unspecified n/a Graded No

30
Assignment: Midterm Book Report Week 4 n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

In the workshop environment, students will receive feedback individually and from peers. Final assessment feedback will be offered post-assessment.

READING
Required Reading:
Shurtleff, Michael. Audition: Everything an Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part. Toronto: Bantam Books, 1980. – Students must buy this book.
Some additional required readings from the texts below will be posted to Blackboard throughout the term.

Recommended Reading

Cohen, Robert. Acting Power: An Introduction to Acting. (Palo Alto: Mayfield, 1978).
Braun, Edward, The Director and the Stage (London: Methuen, 1982).

Bella Merlin, Konstantin Stanislavsky, Routledge Performance Practitioners (London Routledge, 2003)

A Sourcebook on Naturalist Theatre, edited by Christopher Innes (London; Routledge, 2000).
Stanislavsky, Konstantin. An Actor Prepares, (London: Methuen, 1980).
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Studio Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 16:00 - 17:50