Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit provides a combined theoretical and practical approach to the role and techniques of the director. Beginning with an overview of the history of the emergence and development of directors' theatre, with concentration on one or a variety of methods of directing. Students will work in groups with specific texts or other devising materials under the guidance of a tutor/director and devise a series of short performances in class. They will apply comparative analysis of methods and results to gain an overview of the applications, possibilities and limitations of different directing techniques and theories.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course students will:

1. know the history of the emergence and role of the director in theatrical and other performance genres;
2. have hands-on experience of working with a number of different techniques and theories of directing;
3. have worked in group devising situations, learning the specific negotiating skills integral to the job of the director;
4. have a practical understanding of the relationship between theoretical understandings and embodied practice in directed theatre and performance;
5. have demonstrated an ability to employ techniques of ethnographic writing.

Assessment

Essay (1800 words): 40%
Directed performance (equiv. 1800 words): 40%
Participation (equiv. 900 words): 20%

Contact hours

One 1-hour lecture per week
One 1.5-hour tutorial per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Theatre
English
Performance studies

Prerequisites

1st year sequence in Theatre