EA402-7-PS-LO:
Advanced Research Living History & Devising Project

The details
2025/26
East 15 Acting School
East15 (Loughton) Campus
Spring & Summer
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 26 June 2026
15
12 March 2025

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
EA601, EA602, EA603, EA604

 

(none)

Key module for

MA W41012 Acting,
MFA W41020 Acting

Module description

Students undertake intensive in-depth research which may involve both primary and secondary sources. Such research is absorbed at intellectual, psychological, emotional and sensory levels leading to a performance project in which research, technical skills and acting skills are fully integrated and engaged.

The module provides an opportunity for intense research of context towards performance. Practical and theoretical research will be bought to bear to enrich the ensemble performance and the tools learnt in the course so far in all streams of learning (eg movement, voice, contextual studies etc) will integrate into performance.

The Researched Performance Project integrates research and improvisation tools, into performance in a studio or site-specific setting. The project may be a performance of a play text, a devised project based on other fictional texts with a strong historical element, or a devised project based on texts, documentation and research of a given period/place in history.

Parallel technical classes demand a deeper understanding of the subject as well as more effective application in rehearsal and performance process. The focus is on using the tools of research and improvisation to deliver credible, plausible effective performance as an ensemble, which communicates to an audience.

Students contribute to design, stage-management, costume, stage-lighting, sound marketing, press and publicity. This enables them to have a understanding of the production process. Group responsibilities for the set-up and strike of each production, together with clearly defined areas of responsibility in stage-management further enable the students to work as an ensemble. It is the greater force of the ensemble that can increase the sense of ownership and raise performance level. The aim is to give students the opportunity to experience something of this in their own performance projects as well as begin to equip them for the realities of small scale working practice in the industry at present.

Module aims

The aims of this module are :



  • To give understanding of the thoroughness and full engagement required for valid research towards performance

  • To enhance the students’ understanding of the inter-relatedness of all disciplines learned so far and – where applicable - their effect on audiences

  • To engage fully with an act of communication to an audience (research, performance, production etc)

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Practically apply theoretical and intellectual research informing character and performance choices

  2. Practically apply  improvisation as a tool in the creation of spontaneity & consistency in performance

  3. Integrate research into performance

  4. Work as part of an ensemble to develop a production. 

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

Research Independent Study Supervised and Unsupervised Rehearsals Workshops Personal Development Portfolio

Bibliography*

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Practical   continuous assessment     

Additional coursework information

Students will be assessed on their ability to integrate research into performance at a number of levels and to work as part of an ensemble in the course of developing a production.

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

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Prof Anthony Dean
University of Winchester
Emeritus Professor
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information
East 15 Acting School

* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.

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