TH142-4-AU-CO:
Theatre Making: Autobiography
2026/27
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 18 December 2026
15
04 March 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA W401 Drama,
BA W402 Drama (Including Year Abroad),
BA W403 Drama (Including Placement Year),
BA W408 Drama (Including Foundation Year),
BA QW24 Drama and Literature,
BA QW25 Drama and Literature (Including Placement Year),
BA WQ28 Drama and Literature (Including Foundation Year),
BA WQ42 Drama and Literature (Including Year Abroad),
BA P400 Film and Drama,
BA P401 Film and Drama (Including Year Abroad),
BA P402 Film and Drama (Including Placement Year),
BA P403 Film and Drama (Including Foundation Year),
BA WW80 Drama and Creative Writing,
BA WW81 Drama and Creative Writing (Including Foundation Year),
BA WW82 Drama and Creative Writing (including Placement Year),
BA WW83 Drama and Creative Writing (including Year Abroad)
This module has a strong practical focus on theatre performances which are informed by personal experience. We examine existing plays with an autobiographical inspiration, and also explore how students can create their own work influenced by their own lived experience.
Students will be encouraged to engage with a broad range of live and screened performances which take place at the Lakeside Theatre and elsewhere. Where appropriate, we'll study recorded performances such as the NT Live screenings which are transmitted regularly on campus at the Lakeside Theatre. Students will develop their own critical vocabulary by analysing performances they have seen, and will develop their creative performance skills by workshopping and presenting a solo performance piece which stems from personal experience.
Throughout the 10-week module, students will learn how to develop autobiographical stories into performance pieces; and will study theories and techniques that underpin this work. These will include Michael Chekhov’s acting techniques (including the Archetypal Gesture, the Ideal Centre and the Psychological Gesture); the core tenets of the Meisner acting technique - ("the reality of doing" and "to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances"); and Richard Schechner’s Performance Theory and Environmental Theatre aesthetics, including the performer/audience relationship and breaking the invisible fourth wall.
Students will be assessed through making and performing their own solo piece of autobiographical theatre - the props and costumes for which can be fitted into one suitcase - and by critically reflecting on the development of this creative work.
The aims of this module are:
- To give students the opportunity to learn about, and practise, new creative ways of making theatre, especially drawing on their own life-stories and experience
- To introduce students to the workings of a professional theatre building
- To introduce students to a broad range of cultural events
- To bring students into contact with theatre companies and professionals and to gain insights into their creative working methods and processes, especially in terms of making theatre out of autobiographical material
- To inform students with an understanding of the current theatre industry and professional opportunities within it
- To explore the role of the arts in society; the connections between theatre and visual arts; and the relationship between theatre programming and the creation/composition of audiences
- To encourage an understanding of entrepreneurship, stimulate creativity and to broaden cultural awareness.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
1. Analyse and critically review a theatre performance and/or art exhibition
2. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the systems, strategies and operations of a working theatre
3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the immediate cultural landscape and their individual relationship to it as creative practitioners.
4. Work independently on a practical project
5. Present a solo autobiographical performance
6. Analyse how creative ideas are developed and how they relate to audiences and social concerns
7. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the ethics of working creatively with autobiographical material
No additional information available.
This module will be delivered via:
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Performance (in-class) and Reflective Writing (via FASer) |
|
95% |
| Practical |
Formative assignment: CLASS ASSIGNMENT |
|
0% |
| Practical |
Participation Mark |
|
5% |
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
Dr Andrew Burton, email: andrew.burton@essex.ac.uk.
LiFTS General Office - email: liftstt@essex.ac.uk
Telephone 01206 872626
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Christina Papagiannouli
University of South Wales
Research Fellow
Available via Moodle
Of 6 hours, 6 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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