EA274-5-SP-SO:
Storytelling
2024/25
East 15 Acting School
Southend Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
31 March 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA W495 World Performance
This second year BA World Performance core module delivers an overview of the historical relationship of storytelling to contemporary performance, a study of two or three storytelling performance forms and study of the relationship of the storyteller to character and audience. The module also develops students' understanding of narrative and the transmission of stories through theatrical presentation. In addition, students will develop writing and devising skills, culminating in a collaborative devised presentation and a scriptwriting project.
1. Storytelling and Oral Traditions
An overview of the history of storytelling and its place at the origins of human performance.
2. Case Studies
In-depth examination and exploration of two or three forms of contemporary storytelling performance, including specific attention to the relationship between storyteller and audience, and the wider cultural context of the performance.
3. Vocal skills for storytelling
Specialist skills workshops extending students' vocal range and control.
4. Live Storytelling
Individual development and live presentation of story-telling. Students will develop their own short (8-10 minutes) live storytelling presentations.
5. Devising
Training and independent work in devising stories for presentation to an invited internal audience of peers and tutors. Presentations should not require technical support in terms of costume, props, lighting etc.
- To introduce the history, practice, and widespread influence of storytelling as a performance form
- To engage in a comparative study of a variety of storytelling forms from different cultural backgrounds
- To generate and develop original storytelling performances for both live and remote audiences
- To increase students’ confidence and competence in writing and in devising their own work for presentation
Students will be able to demonstrate:
- A broad knowledge and understanding of the role Storytelling has played in the development of live performance throughout human history
- The ability to generate, select, edit and rehearse independently a complete storytelling performance for a specific audience
- The ability to critically evaluate their own and others’ storytelling performances, placing them in the context of world storytelling traditions
- Skills in devising a live storytelling presentation
- Skills in construction of narrative scripts for performance.
No additional information available.
Workshops and rehearsals. Normally 8 contact hours per week including 2 hour writing workshop.
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Marshall, L. and Oida, Y. (1992) Actor Adrift. London: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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Stanislavsky, Konstantin (no date)
An Actor’s Work?: A Student’s Diary. Edited by Benedetti, Jean. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=325509.
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Stanislavski, Konstantin (no date)
An actor’s work on a role. Available at:
http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780203870921.
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Leach, Robert, (no date)
Makers of Modern theatre?: An Introduction. Available at:
http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780203487860.
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Aristotle, (no date) Poetics /Aristotle?; translated with an introduction and notes by Malcolm Heath.
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Barba, E., Fowler, R. and Savarese, N. (2006)
A dictionary of theatre anthropology: the secret art of the performer. 2nd ed. London: Routledge. Available at:
https://essex.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=4613765190007346&institutionId=7346&customerId=7345.
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Adrian, B. (2008) Actor training the Laban way: an integrated approach to voice, speech, and movement. New York: Allworth Press.
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The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Script Project |
|
30% |
| Practical |
Storytelling Project |
|
70% |
Additional coursework information
- Storytelling Project: a short presentation transmitting a story to an internal audience in which students collaborate on aspects of the process.
- Script Project: A short narrative script for solo or small-group performance created through work in the writing workshops
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
No
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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