EA402-7-PS-LO:
Advanced Research Living History & Devising Project
2026/27
East 15 Acting School
East15 (Loughton) Campus
Spring & Summer
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 18 January 2027
Friday 02 July 2027
15
29 January 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
EA601, EA602, EA603, EA604
(none)
MA W41012 Acting,
MFA W41020 Acting
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 project may be based on 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. The greater force of the ensemble increases 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.
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)
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Practically apply theoretical and intellectual research informing character and performance choices
- Practically apply improvisation as a tool in the creation of spontaneity & consistency in performance
- Integrate research into performance
- Work as part of an ensemble to develop a production.
No additional information available.
This module will be delivered via:
- Research
- Independent Study
- Supervised and Unsupervised Rehearsals
- Workshops
- Personal Development Portfolio
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
No
Dr Darren Vincent Tunstall
University of Surrey
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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