TH983-7-AU-CO:
Contemporary Theatre-Making
2024/25
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
20
27 March 2024
Requisites for this module
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MA W81212 Theatre Practice
Theatre-Making is a 10-week (20 credits) module, examines a variety of performance-making techniques, disciplinary approaches and traditions. One important element of the module is aimed at preparing students for practical work as a theatre-maker and/or as a researcher of theatre. Drawing on an eclectic array of case studies/practitioners and scholarly approaches to theatre as exemplars each week, the module will offer intensive 2-hour practice-based workshops/seminars to explore a different array of artistic approaches.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide a solid grounding of different theatrical practices and to prepare the students for careers in theatre industry or/and as a researcher of theatre. The module starts off by introducing students to the established theatrical practices, then to experimental practices such as the avant-garde postdramatic theatre etc. It covers verbatim theatre, applied theatre and theatre and migration, and theatre and the revolution. By considering these different practices, students will be encouraged to create practical projects that could potentially be produced professionally and/or could lead to Practice-as-Research theatre projects.
- To enable students to creatively expand the breath of their work and research as a global practice, while providing training in touring and international collaborations.
- To equip students with important set of skills and expertise that will inform their work as professional theatre-makers of the future. Balancing academic theoretical work and practice-based activities, this module embraces a Practice-as-Research approach, which is also reflected in the assessment.
Learning Outcomes:
- To prepare students for the rigours or practice-as-research, exploring a range of research strategies, methodologies and approaches to imbricating practice in an original research enquiry.
- To provide both practical and theoretical insights into theatre practices, issues related to experimental/verbatim/applied theatre, and industry approach to contemporary theatre practices
- To offer students a chance to receive practical training in theatre-making and to develop the skills necessary for anyone wishing to work as a theatre-maker or practitioner-researcher (and foundations for anyone wishing to progress their research skills to PhD level).
- To prepare students to undertake independently led practical projects arising from an in-depth process of research and development.
No additional information available.
The module will be delivered via:
- Weekly 2-hour practical workshop/seminars
- Guest lectures by industry professionals where appropriate
- Field trips to theatres/productions
Students will receive formative tutor/peer feedback throughout the term in response to their research proposal and the sharing of practical work-in-progress in a rigorous and energised Practice-as-Research forum.
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 |
Verbal Presentation (10 minutes) In-class in week 7 |
|
25% |
| Practical |
Participation |
|
5% |
| Practical |
Practical Presentation (20 minutes) In-class in week 11 |
|
70% |
Additional coursework information
This module is assessed through:
- A practical presentation on the student’s elected research focus in any topics covered in the Module and beyond.
- Individuals will give a 10-minute project proposal, outlining the research focus/aims of the assessed practical presentation, as if they were planning as a Practice-as-Research project. This will include a full bibliography of sources and a central research question.
- Students will combine theory and practice by presenting on a topic of their choice connected to the theory that has been covered in the module, but also to the practical project that they have been involved in.
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 Mary Mazzilli, email: m.mazzilli@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Liam Jarvis
LiFTS General Office, email liftstt@essex.ac.uk
Tel. 01206 872626
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 30 hours, 27 (90%) hours available to students:
3 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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