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TH115-30 From Text to Performance

Department
SCAPVC - Theatre and Performance Studies
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
Silvija Jestrovic
Credit value
30
Module duration
20 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
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

The module aims to
 examine the process the material undergoes in its journey from page to stage
 consider the changing relationship between text and socio-cultural, aesthetic and historical context
 investigate various ways of dramaturgical thinking and different modes of ‘reading’ a text
 explore the relationship between theory and practice through the practical exploration and presentation of representative plays/performance texts.

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 2
1 – Introduction: core playtext
2-4 – Text and context
6 – Reading Week
5-9 – Intertexts (exploring associated texts stemming from/bearing on the core text studied)
10 – Director’s Pitch – presentations. Verbal feedback.

TERM 3
1 . Final project preparation/ instruction
2 -4* Intensives; supervised rehearsals, tech induction/ rehearsal
5 Performance assessment
2-4* = are intensive session = double the normal sessions

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.

Study time

Type Required
Seminars 10 sessions of 1 hour (4%)
Practical classes 17 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Supervised practical classes 60 sessions of 1 hour (25%)
External visits 1 session of 3 hours (1%)
Private study 150 hours (62%)
Total 240 hours
Private study description

students need to research and prepare their directorial pitch, they need to research rehears their for their performance assessment and they need write their critical reflection

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time
Director's Pitch 40% 20 hours

Director's Pitch (20 min per group performance)

Performance 60% 40 hours

30 minute performance

Feedback on assessment

written and verbal

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of UGEA-RW24 Undergraduate German and Theatre Studies
  • Year 1 of UHPA-R4W4 Undergraduate Hispanic Studies and Theatre Studies
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R3WA Undergraduate Italian and Theatre Studies
  • UTHA-W421 Undergraduate Theatre and Performance Studies
    • Year 1 of W421 Theatre and Performance Studies
    • Year 1 of W421 Theatre and Performance Studies
  • Year 1 of UTHA-W422 Undergraduate Theatre and Performance Studies (with Intercalated Year)
  • Year 1 of UIPA-W4L8 Undergraduate Theatre and Performance Studies and Global Sustainable Development

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of UTHA-QW34 Undergraduate English and Theatre Studies

This module is Core option list B for:

  • Year 1 of UGEA-RW24 Undergraduate German and Theatre Studies