Introductory description

This module explores the process of taking the text from page to performance. Through a programme of lectures and practical exploration of a number of selected plays/performance texts, the module will examine the relationship between performance and society, considering how it reflects, responds to and has the potential to influence its wider political, social, cultural and artistic contexts. Giving students the opportunity to experiment practically with realising texts in performance the module will also consider aspects such as staging, genre, narrative structure, performance strategies, dramaturgical thinking and directorial conceptualization as well as the changing role and function of the audience.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Indicative schedule (content to be determined by tutors for each session)
TERM 1
1 – Introduction: core playtext
2-5 – Technical and design challenges and solutions to staging this text. Week 5 includes briefing for Director’s Pitch
6 – Reading Week
7-9 – Intertexts (exploring associated texts stemming from/bearing on the core text studied)
10 – Director’s Pitch – presentations. Verbal feedback.

TERM 2
1-3 – Intertexts (further exploration of associated texts, addressing key terms that are useful to unpacking dramatic text and/or conceiving text for performance; and key practices in moving text into performance: Narrative (and non-narrative), Character (and persona), Scenography (sound, lighting, costume, scenic design), Mise en Scéne (the arrangement of the stage and its action), Stagecraft)

4-5 – Preparation for group projects. Tutorials.

6 – Reading Week

7-8 – Development and rehearsal

9 – Performance Exam presentations

10 – Feedback, discussion, tutorials, briefing for Critical Review.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• By the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of some of the key aspects of the creative and research processes involved in the journey from text to performance.
• By the end of the module, students should be able to show an awareness of the ways in which playwrights and theatre-makers have used theatre to respond to, intervene in and debate social, cultural and political processes.
• By the end of the module, students should be able to describe and evaluate some of the textual, staging and theatrical strategies deployed in the works studied during the module.
• By the end of the module, students should be able to articulate how a practical engagement with a play or performance text has enriched their understanding of its form, narrative, use of character, stylistic traits, etc.
• By the end of the module, students should be able to undertake research tasks using appropriate research tools and communicate what they have learnt through performance and written forms.

Research element

The research involved is not always traditional academic research, but the learning on the module involves a strong aspect of dramaturgical and directorial research necessary in preparing text for performance

International

There is consideration of examples that are geographically and culturally diverse

Subject specific skills

• Students will gain skills in aspects of the creative and research processes involved in the journey from text to performance. They will acquire basic directorial skills as well as awareness of technical requirements in the page to stage process.
• To show an awareness of the ways in which playwrights and theatre-makers have used theatre to respond to, intervene in and debate social, cultural and political processes.
• To describe and evaluate some of the textual, staging and theatrical strategies deployed in the works studied during the module.
• To articulate how a practical engagement with a play or performance text has enriched their understanding of its form, narrative, use of character, stylistic traits, etc.
• To undertake research tasks using appropriate research tools and communicate what they have learnt through performance and written forms.

Transferable skills

This skills are transferable to various aspects of theatre making, practice as research, as well as to other forms including presentations, performance presentations, installations, workshop creation, text analysis; other skills include organisational and management skills and team work.