DTS3800

Drama in performance

P Fitzpatrick

8 points
* 4 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisite: a completed minor sequence in drama and theatre studies

Objectives At the completion of this subject students should have an understanding of the conceptual, imaginative and practical processes involved in making a theatre production utilising a dramatic text. In particular they should have developed an awareness of the processes of conceiving and realising an acting role in a theatre production as well as the ability to participate in production tasks and thus to conceive and realise parts of the mise-en-scene for performance.

Synopsis This is a performance-based subject, which will involve the making of a full-length theatre production, in most cases utilising a dramatic text. The process will involve conceptualising, rehearsing and performing the theatre work, and will require intensive work not only on acting roles but also on other production tasks such as lighting, sets, costumes and so on. The work is admittedly time consuming and demanding, but a detailed investigation of this kind will serve, for many students, as an introduction to some of the processes of professional theatre practice. Students will also be asked to undertake some dramaturgical research, and later to write up some aspect of the performance process. In sum, students will be asked to make and will be assessed upon imaginative, intellectual and practical contributions to the project. Additional rehearsals will be scheduled as and when necessary and all rehearsals are compulsory. As such it is probably fair to point out that if students feel unsure about the intensive time commitment that this subject entails, they should think seriously about whether they wish to enrol in it or not.

Assessment Performance work: 60%
* Written document (1500 words): 40%