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Elements of Theatre-Making - TFT00063M

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Bridget Foreman
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

In this module you will develop your own creative practice. The teaching will focus on crucial elements of theatre-making, explored in detail through practical experimentation and supported by seminar discussion of relevant contextual and theoretical material.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module aims:

  • to develop your own creative practice, equipping you to work both independently and within a team
  • to develop your application of dramaturgical research in theatre-making, and to be able to effectively reflect on this application in written work
  • to provide you with useful, relevant and considered tools to develop your own work - to further develop your collaborative skills, such as your clarity of intent, your appropriate choice of approach for the task in hand, and a clear link between the ways of making and the end result of this process.
  • to demonstrate the opportunities and potential of workshopping as a method of exploration.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module you will be expected to:

  • be able to conduct and apply effective dramaturgical research in the rehearsal room, and to reflect on this process in written work
  • choose and, if necessary, adapt existing theatre-making tools in the service of your own work
  • be able to lead a workshop involving a small group of theatre-makers and to clearly articulate the purpose of the workshop and the link between the aims and the methods
  • demonstrate your ability to explore the implications for contemporary performance of ideas and information derived from dramaturgical and practice research

Module content

This module takes a close look at specific elements of theatre practice, which might include storytelling, use of space and the audience-performer relationship, working with actors, developing and organising rehearsals. The focus on these areas is designed to develop your own practice and to deepen your understanding of the multiple, and intersecting, languages of theatre practice. The teaching will be a combination of discussion, practice and in particular putting research into action. The module will draw on recent scholarship into theatre-making, such as Duska Radosavljevic’s Theatre-Making: Interplay Between Text and Performance in the 21st Century, and Barbara Simonsen’s The Art of Rehearsal: Conversations with Contemporary Theatre Makers. A range of performance texts will be used to practically investigate these areas.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Reflective essay		 N/A 50
Practical
Solo practical task		 N/A 50

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formative feedback is embedded in the teaching.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Reflective essay		 N/A 50
Practical
Solo practical task		 N/A 50

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times, with an option of an individual follow-up meeting if any aspect of the feedback is unclear or if more guidance on interpreting the feedback is requested.

Indicative reading

Simonsen, B. (Ed) (2017). The Art of Rehearsal: Conversations with Contemporary Theatremakers. London; New York: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama.
Harvie, J. and Lavender, A. (eds) (2010). Making Contemporary Theatre: International Rehearsal Processes. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Radosavljevic, D. (2013). Theatre-Making: Interplay Between Text and Performance in the 21st Century. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.


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.