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Year:

THEA307 The Actor's Craft

Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 1 Off Campus C - Internet access required
Armidale Semester 1 On Campus C - Internet access required
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
12 January 2010 22 January 2010 Mandatory
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites 12cp in THEA units
Co-requisites None
Restrictions None
Notes

offered in even numbered years; quota of 30 students applies to off-campus mode

Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Susan Fell (sfell@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This is an advanced unit in contemporary performance theory and practice. Lectures and workshops will survey the most significant and influential approaches to actor training: from Stanislavsky to the present. Practical sessions exercise the performer's skills in generating and interpreting text for performance. They pay particular attention to voice, movement, textual interpretation, improvisation and theatre 'wrighting'. Students will work on the presentation of solo performance pieces, duologues and an ensemble project. There will be a mandatory 11-day workshop in January for off-campus students.

Prescribed Material
Mandatory
Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Twentieth Century Actor Training
ISBN: 9780415194525
Hodge, A. (ed), Routledge 2000
Text refers to: Semester 1 , On and Off Campus
Recommended Material
Optional
Text(s):

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

On the Technique of Acting
ISBN: 9780062730374
Chekhov, M., Harper Collins 1993
Text refers to: Semester 1 , On and Off Campus
The Actor and the Target
ISBN: 9781854598387
Donnellan, D., Nick Hern 2006
Text refers to: Semester 1 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Offer of some subjects is subject to viability. Information in these unit descriptions is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 30% 1000
Assessment Notes
Duo presentations
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 3-6 GA: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8
Assignment 2 20% 1000
Assessment Notes
Ensemble presentation and class participation
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 3-6 GA: 5, 6, 7, 8
Assignment 3 30% 1000
Assessment Notes
Solo presentations
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 3-5 GA: 1, 2, 5, 6
Assignment 4 20% 1000
Assessment Notes
Non-performance project
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2 GA: 1, 2

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. critically analyse contemporary actor training techniques;
  2. document performance training exercises for practical application;
  3. effectively employ performance skills including voice, gesture, movement, interpretation and interaction;
  4. demonstrate an ability to conceptualise and structure material for presentation/performance;
  5. understand the demands made on the skills and techniques of the performer by a variety of textual sources;
  6. work collaboratively and productively as a member of an ensemble.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
This unit examines the training and role of the actor within theatre at an advanced level.
True True True
2 Communication Skills
The primary focus of this unit is the skill of communication. Students will be taught oral and physical communication skills appropriate for a given situation. These skills will be practised and explicitly assessed in the 'presentation' assignments. The logbook and review will require students to present well reasoned arguments and skill in written communication.
True True True
3 Global Perspectives
The actor training methods studied and employed in the unit are drawn from a number of cultures. One third of the practitioners investigated in the unit engage in comparative cultural studies. While not explicitly assessed, students will be able to demonstrate an awareness of the global context of performance training.
True False True
4 Information Literacy
Students will locate, evaluate, manage and use information in their preparation for the performance assignments. They will need to access video footage and performance research material on the Web for their seminar and written tasks.
False False True
5 Life-Long Learning
The unit teaches new skills which students are then required to apply to their independently conceived performance pieces. This assessable component, along with the duologue and major ensemble project, is designed to exercise students in identifying, evaluating and implementing personal learning strategies. The process of development through-to-performance constantly employs research, analysis and synthesis. Improvisation skills, which will be taught, practised and assessed, are the epitome of applying learned skills to new and unexpected situations.
True True True
6 Problem Solving
The nature of bringing ideas to an audience is synonymous with problem solving. It is a critical issue in the theatre if the audience is not 'held' by the performance. This situation leads to conceptualising a problem and formulating a range of solutions. Students will be tutored in problem solving and will practice it in every class. The final assessment will come from their audience in the major ensemble project.
True True True
7 Social Responsibility
The manner in which students are questioned in practical sessions requires them to acknowledge the significance of their 'stage' actions. Given that these will then be performed for a community - it follows that the business of conceptualising/creating/communicating is inextricably bound to the question of ethical action and social responsibility.
True True True
8 Team Work
Two of the assessable tasks explicitly require students to work collaboratively with others. They are instructed in team work - they practise it in every class - it is a major assessment criterion for the unit. The class evaluates the 'performance' of the duologue teams. The class analyses their own work as an ensemble in the final major project. Each student takes responsibility and carries out agreed tasks. They take initiative as well as operate in a range of supportive roles.
True True True
   

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