University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Revised October 2005)
Code: UATA8Y-40-2 Title: Summer Showcase Version: 2
Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 40 ECTS credit rating: 20
Module type: Project
Owning Faculty: Creative Arts / Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Field: Professional Acting
Faculty Committee Approval: Q & S Committee Date 7th October 2009
Valid from: September 2009 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: FDa Professional Acting
Pre-requisites: All Level 1 modules relevant to the above award.
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
On satisfactory completion of this module the student will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
• Understand the context of performing to potential employers.
• Demonstrate professional competence in key performance skills
Intellectual Skills
• Select audition material that suits their strengths as a performer
• Undertake research into the period and social context of the production
• Problem solve; interpret the creative requirements of the production and translate these to a practical realisation.
• Adapt their attitude to different performance contexts
• Understand the creative dynamics of working on a theatre production
Subject / Practical Skills
• Command, hold and entertain audiences of paying customers in further contrasting texts, styles, and periods;
• Study, learn, inhabit and bring to life the text through individual work on characterisation and performance and in group rehearsal;
• Work in a live main-house environment with other performers, director, designers, costumiers, stage managers, technicians and audiences;
• Sustain and develop characterisation and performance over the run of the production;
• Adapt performance and characterisation to a variety of performance situations.
• Interpret the artistic vision of the director and writer to achieve a high standard of performance
Transferable Skills
• Communicate effectively with potential employers.
• Work to deadlines and maintain concentration and punctuality.
• Adopt a flexible attitude to work.
Syllabus outline:
Building on their previous public theatre experience, level 2 acting students take part in summer showcase productions – in Bristol and London; the focus is not only on their developing performance skills but also how, particularly in the London showcase, how they develop their self-presentation skills for auditioning to potential employers.
This module is in two linked parts: preparing and performing in a theatre performance to agents, casting-directors and other potential employers at a London showcase, followed in the same term by rehearsing and performing in a further theatre production to build on their previous theatre production experience in the first two terms at level 2. In both cases the productions take place in professional venues, directed by a professional theatre director.
Students are assessed on their creative and performing competence to a professional standard in main house production, and self-presentation.
The production standard, values and rehearsal and performance process reproduce professional practice in a work-based learning environment.
The focus of the learning will be the practical performance application of acting techniques and production experience, building on previous performances and audition experience. This will include vocal, movement and text interpretation.
Students learn through rehearsal, learning the text, researching and understanding the context in which the play is set, and through a run of performances in a theatre venue.
Teaching and learning methods:
Practical production rehearsal and performance: selection of audition material: discussion and advice from director of London showcase as to approach the student will take in presenting to potential employers: professional rehearsal process and performance of final public theatre production to Bristol audiences.
As previously, students will learn to work in rehearsal, become familiar with theatre production conventions, and learn to ‘perform as rehearsed’ for a sequence of performances.
The typical preparation and rehearsal time for any department would be four to six weeks, followed by the run of the show.
Students are under constant supervision during this period and are expected to play their part in creating a positive dynamic and offering a considered and engaged contribution to the process.
In assessing their work, tutors will focus on individual creative development, application of acting technique and performance skills in full-length public production; contribution to the work of the company and professional competence. Judgements on performance will include comments from the director of the production and others involved.
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 Schools 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:
The primary source for this module will be the text or script for the production concerned.
Background research material will depend entirely on the period, style and character involved in the play script. Students will be expected to read widely to select audition material for presentation to potential employers.
Suggested additional reading (building on reading lists from previous modules)
Caldarone. M & Lloyd-Williams. M Actions – The Actors’ Thesaurus Nick Hern Books (2004)
Donellan Declan The Actor & The Target (Nick Hern books, 2005)
Mamet. D True and False; Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor Faber & Faber (1998)
Assessment
This is a project module there is no Component B and Component A is weighted at 100%.
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Final London and Bristol and showcase production performance. 100%
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is required)
Component A
Description of each element
1. Final London and Bristol and showcase production performance. Element weighting
100%
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)
Academic Registry
October 2005