This module constitutes Part I of the two-part actor training in the second year in which the emphasis progresses from the foundation training of first year to examine a range of contemporary theatre styles and forms. You will continue to develop your performance skills through the practice of acting, devising, writing and script analysis. Opportunities will be provided to experiment with expressionism in text, music and visual art, European contemporary physical theatre, commedia dell'arte, the theatrical clown, post-modern and non-traditional text structure, tragedy, objects and puppetry.
Students are assessed on their contribution and participation during the rehearsal process and performance of projects. Projects in the first part of the module are shown in studio-based performance to audiences drawn mainly to invited audiences of staff and students, progressing to a theatre-based Music and Theatre showing at the end of the module. Self-created work, rather than scripted or directed work, is introduced as the module progresses.
Theatre as a Medium of Expression
The work of this module is focussed on introducing you to theatre as a form of artistic expression, using devising and improvising techniques as well as experimenting with writing, structure and behavioural dynamics.
Expressionism - Visual Theatre Project
Using visual art as a starting point, students will devise a piece of work with a practitioner working in the area of new dance and visual expressionism theatre. Emphasis will be on observation and students will start by visiting galleries, buildings and busy streets as research. You will learn how to stage a piece of work starting from a blank page, how to share creative ideas and work as an ensemble. Preparation and rehearsal takes place over four weeks, culminating in an assessed studio-based performance in Week 6 of Term One.
Expressionism in Text and Theatre of the Absurd
Lead by a director, students will stage a production of an unconventionally-structured text, for example works of Beckett, Ionesco, Pirandello, Jarry. This part of the module encourages you to develop the ability to follow and stage an existing text imaginatively. You will learn skills of text interpretation and widen your familiarity with the expressive possibilities of the written word. You will begin the work of responding to the demands of a director. Work on this project lasts for five weeks. There is an assessed studio-based performance in Week 11 of Term One.
Self-Creation
At the end of Term One students will work in groups for a short intensive period developing their own self-created pieces. Under the supervision of the Head of Course they will decide on style, content, method of presentation and division of roles within the piece eg writer, director, actor, choreographer, designer, composer etc. As a group they will take all the decisions necessary to give a final assessed presentation. You will become familiar with and learn how to overcome obstacles to the creative process by putting together a piece of theatre under pressure of time and resource. You will use devising, improvisation and story-telling skills.
Physical Theatre Techniques & Performance Styles
The work of Term Two is an intensive period of study in techniques and performance styles used in European physical theatre. You will undertake short blocks of work on:
The Fool
Music & Theatre
The module will conclude with a Music and Theatre performance in Week 5 to an invited audience which will introduce you to the experience of performing in a theatre environment in an external venue, e.g. the fully-equipped theatre at nearby Chigwell School.
Technical Studies
An integral part of this module is an introduction to the basic technicalities of production - stage management, design, set construction, lighting, sound, props, costume and equipment. Tutors from the School's Technical Department will, through a series of practical classes and technical 'surgeries', encourage students to develop an understanding of how technical resources are applied to audience requirements, of how to research, source and make use of technical resources and of how to adapt to a variety of performance environments safely and creatively, related to their practical projects through the year. Assessment of Technical Studies is continuous through observation of class work and its realisation in projects.
Students are assessed on their contribution and participation during the rehearsal process and performance of projects. Projects in the first part of the module are shown in studio-based performance to audiences drawn mainly to invited audiences of staff and students, progressing to a theatre-based Music and Theatre showing at the end of the module. Self-created work, rather than scripted or directed work, is introduced as the module progresses.
Theatre as a Medium of Expression
The work of this module is focussed on introducing you to theatre as a form of artistic expression, using devising and improvising techniques as well as experimenting with writing, structure and behavioural dynamics.
Expressionism - Visual Theatre Project
Using visual art as a starting point, students will devise a piece of work with a practitioner working in the area of new dance and visual expressionism theatre. Emphasis will be on observation and students will start by visiting galleries, buildings and busy streets as research. You will learn how to stage a piece of work starting from a blank page, how to share creative ideas and work as an ensemble. Preparation and rehearsal takes place over four weeks, culminating in an assessed studio-based performance in Week 6 of Term One.
Expressionism in Text and Theatre of the Absurd
Lead by a director, students will stage a production of an unconventionally-structured text, for example works of Beckett, Ionesco, Pirandello, Jarry. This part of the module encourages you to develop the ability to follow and stage an existing text imaginatively. You will learn skills of text interpretation and widen your familiarity with the expressive possibilities of the written word. You will begin the work of responding to the demands of a director. Work on this project lasts for five weeks. There is an assessed studio-based performance in Week 11 of Term One.
Self-Creation
At the end of Term One students will work in groups for a short intensive period developing their own self-created pieces. Under the supervision of the Head of Course they will decide on style, content, method of presentation and division of roles within the piece eg writer, director, actor, choreographer, designer, composer etc. As a group they will take all the decisions necessary to give a final assessed presentation. You will become familiar with and learn how to overcome obstacles to the creative process by putting together a piece of theatre under pressure of time and resource. You will use devising, improvisation and story-telling skills.
Physical Theatre Techniques & Performance Styles
The work of Term Two is an intensive period of study in techniques and performance styles used in European physical theatre. You will undertake short blocks of work on:
The Fool
Music & Theatre
The module will conclude with a Music and Theatre performance in Week 5 to an invited audience which will introduce you to the experience of performing in a theatre environment in an external venue, e.g. the fully-equipped theatre at nearby Chigwell School.
Technical Studies
An integral part of this module is an introduction to the basic technicalities of production - stage management, design, set construction, lighting, sound, props, costume and equipment. Tutors from the School's Technical Department will, through a series of practical classes and technical 'surgeries', encourage students to develop an understanding of how technical resources are applied to audience requirements, of how to research, source and make use of technical resources and of how to adapt to a variety of performance environments safely and creatively, related to their practical projects through the year. Assessment of Technical Studies is continuous through observation of class work and its realisation in projects.
- Module Supervisor: Uri Roodner