University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002)

Code: UAMPC3-40-1 Title: Stage Management Version: 3

Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 40 ECTS credit rating: 20

Module type: Professional Practice

Owning Faculty: Faculty of Creative Arts/ Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Field: Stage Management

Faculty Committee Approval: Q & S Committee Date: 7th October 2009

Valid from: Sept 2009 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: FdA Professional Stage Management, DPS - Professional Stage Management (W47017) and BA Hons - Professional Stage Management (W470).

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: Any Professional Acting modules.

Learning outcomes:

On satisfactory completion of this module the student will be able to:

    Knowledge and Understanding

    • Understand the role of the stage management team in the overall process of mounting a theatre production.

    • Understand the role of ASM, DSM and SM within the team..

    • Understand the particular relationship and importance of Stage Management to the acting company.

    Intellectual Skills

    • Problem solve – use play texts to identify the practical elements of a production.

    • Research the appropriate period and style identified from the play text.

    Subject / Practical Skills

    • Participate positively in a number of practical exercises and productions, in different roles, where emphasis is placed on group performance and cohesion;

    • Present individual projects which demonstrate a practical understanding of rehearsal work and appropriate use of the prompt book;

    • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the written text as a source of information to the production;

    Transferable Skills

    • Present and communicate information clearly and effectively relating to performance

    organisation and scheduling.

    • Prioritise own workload and meet deadlines.

    • Work safely.

Syllabus outline:

The syllabus will cover the range of roles and responsibilities of the stage management team, interaction with other departments, specific documentation required in stage management work, scheduling, rehearsal work, managing and participating in the run of the show.

Teaching and learning methods:

Class work with stage management tutor exploring the roles and individual and collective responsibilities of the stage management team. Practical production exercises and in-house performances to apply the skills learned in class. Individual project work to develop skills in research, presentation and script analysis to identify the likely needs of a production from a given script. Involvement in productions.

Reading Strategy

Students are encouraged to become familiar with the subject area, and texts specific to the module, through reading lists and reference material provided. Lists are updated annually to maintain currency and relevance. Each department holds texts and reference material, as well as the general access provided to the School’s library and access to the Internet. The specifically vocational nature of training and study, combined with the project based nature of learning on the course, may require that students are guided to reading and research material in the first instance by the module leader.

NB: BOVTS students do not have access to UWE Libraries and UWE OnLine

Indicative sources:

Bond. D

Stage Management, a gentle art, (London: Black, 1991).

Gruver B

The Stage Managers Handbook, (New York: Drama Book Publishers, 1972).

Ionazzi D

The Stage Management Handbook, (Better Way Books, 1992).

Menear P & Hawkins T

Stage Management and Theatre Administration, (Oxford: Phaidon, 1988).

Pallin G

Stage Management, the essential handbook,(Cookham: Queensgate, 2000).

Reid F

The Staging Handbook, (London: Black, 1983).

Assessment

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Description

1. Stage Management skills/Stage Management Project

Assessment of basic competencies in stage management. Assessment of the students ability to work to the project brief, produce prompt book and related documentation for a script / production.

Element weighting

                    100%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is required)

Description

2. Stage Management skills/Stage Management Project

Assessment of basic competencies in stage management. Assessment of the students ability to work to the project brief, produce prompt book and related documentation for a script / production.

Element weighting

                    100%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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