Accessibility statement

Theatre-Making Workshop - TFT00042C

« Back to module search

  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Louise Lepage
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module is designed to introduce you to performance theories and practices which will underpin your theatre-making work in the coming three years.
The module will be organised under three headings: storytelling, space, and the body.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

This module aims:

  • To cultivate an exploratory and ensemble-based approach to performance.
  • To introduce you to the theory and practice of performance-making, focusing on the language of performance, most particularly its aspects of: storytelling, the use of space, and the body in performance.
  • To develop skills of performance analysis (written and verbal).
  • To introduce you to a variety of performance, workshop, and rehearsal-room approaches, activities, and techniques.
  • To encourage you to start to recognise the features of performance stimuli (such as play texts), which present opportunities and challenges for performance-makers.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module you will be able to:

  • Apply an exploratory and ensemble-based approach to performance.
  • Actively reflect on the theory and practice of performance-making where these connect to the aspects of: storytelling, the use of space, and the body in performance.
  • Analyse a range of performances (orally and in writing).
  • Apply performance, workshop, and rehearsal-room approaches, activities, and techniques thoughtfully and creatively to performance stimuli.
  • Recognise some of the features of performance stimuli, which present as opportunities and challenges for performance-makers.
  • Rehearse and perform in ways that demonstrate understanding of the language of performance.

Module content

You arrive on our programme with a diverse array of backgrounds in terms of practical work, so this is a foundational programme, which ensures that you
are all comfortably set on the road to acquiring the skills, knowledges, and vocabularies needed for the challenges ahead. Your sessions will be a mixture
of seminar- and workshop-based activities, where theory and practice are interwoven. These sessions will introduce you to performance theory, a variety
of theatre performances, performance analysis, performance stimuli (including play texts), and a range of rehearsal and performance approaches and
techniques. A crucial aspect of the sessions is to inculcate a spirit of ensemble and problem-solving, essential for the ambitious projects that come later,
especially towards the end of the second year and throughout the third year.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework : Reflective Log		 N/A 75
Practical
Practical Group Performance		 N/A 25

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

*Students will lose 3 marks per workshop, seminar or practical missed for this module.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework : Reflective Log		 N/A 75
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Individual Presentation		 N/A 25

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Conroy C. (2010). Theatre and the Body. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Counsell, C. and Wolf, L. (eds). (2001). Performance Analysis: An Introductory Coursebook. Routledge.

Fortier M. (1997). Theory/Theatre: An Introduction. Routledge.

Freshwater H. (2009). Theatre & Audience. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Linklater K. (2006). Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Language. London: Nick Hern.

Shepherd S. (2004). Drama/Theatre/Performance. Taylor & Francis.

Solga K. (2019). Theory for Theatre Studies: Space. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.