This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This spring term module is aimed at developing advanced skills in collaborative training and the composition, rehearsal, and performance of an ensemble theatre piece. Through practical study, students will engage in ensemble training and work collaboratively to identify a starting point, generate physical and vocal scores, and construct and act a performance score. Students will also engage with ethical, historical and cultural contexts of ensemble practice through a set of discussion-based seminars.
Students will document the ongoing group work as an integral part of the compositional process; they will comment and reflect on their work as collaborative artists involved in an autonomous practice.
Contact Hours: 38
Private Study: 262
Total: 300
Main assessment methods
60% Ensemble Performance Presentation
40% 3,500 Word Reflective Performance Portfolio
Reassessment methods
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The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
Indicative reading:
Britton, John, ed., Encountering Ensemble, London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2013
Bogart, Ann and Landau, Tina, The Viewpoints Book, New York: Theatre Communications Group 2005
Chekhov, Michael, To the Actor, London: Methuen, 2002.
Graham, Scott, and Steven Hoggart, eds., The Frantic Assembly Book of Devising Theatre, London: Routledge 2009
Lecoq, Jacques, The Theatre of Movement and Gesture, London: Routledge 2006
Murray, Simon, and John Keefe, eds. Physical Theatres: A Critical Introduction, London: Routledge 2007
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate essential skills in the autonomous and independent composition of a collaborative performance process, with particular emphasis on the generation of physical and vocal scores, as well as on its dramaturgical and directorial dimensions
2. Demonstrate knowledge about various contexts (historical, ethical, and terminological) that characterise ensemble composition and performance
3. Demonstrate essential skills in a rehearsal process that links training with collaborative composition and performance
4. Demonstrate skills in the documentation of an artistic work as an integral part of the compositional and performance process
5. Demonstrate current discourses of and around ensemble performance and the contextualisation of their own work within these contexts
6. Demonstrate skills to reflect on their own performance practice, demonstrating how this relates to relevant contexts and theories informed by the forefront of professional discipline.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Undertake autonomous and independent research and creative investigations as well as develop artistic ideas in original and critically reflective ways
2. Work autonomously on a performance project within set parameters, negotiating the various creative and administrative aspects of a performance process
3. Demonstrate sophisticated communication skills negotiating, communicating, discussing and documenting ideas, visions, critique, and argument in a coherent, productive, and effective way
4. Exercise initiative, take personal responsibility and discipline to define, set up, support, manage and realise a project over a sustained period of time within specified resource allocations of time, space and/or budget
5. Identify Health & Safety issues and undertake risk assessment
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
