This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module directs students to investigate and develop physical and vocal actor training techniques. It is designed to complement the other modules on the Physical Acting Specialism by providing synergies between training and performance applications, with the objective of linking process with product. Autumn term focuses on individual training techniques and the development of autonomous processes for actors. Spring term will focus on ensemble training by exploring partner and group-based processes.
In both terms, students will work practically in tutor-led workshops and independently. In addition to their theatre-based work, students will be expected to practise and document other forms of training practices (e.g. dance classes, martial arts, sports), and incorporate this work in their end of term assessments.
Students will demonstrate their learning towards the end of each term by a Solo Technical Presentation in autumn and an Ensemble Technical Presentation in spring. These presentations will take the form of lecture-demonstrations on the subject of the training processes that influenced their DR895 Solo Performance (autumn) and DR892 Ensemble Performance (spring).
Three Contextual Seminars will be held per term with a focus on the theory, ethics, and history of actor training.
Total Contact Hours: 84
Private Study Hours: 366
Total Study Hours: 450
Main assessment methods:
40% - Solo Technical Presentation (10 minutes)
40% - Ensemble Technical Presentation (30 minutes)
20% - Contribution to Workshop
Reassessment methods:
Like-for-like
Indicative Reading List:
Barba, Eugenio, and Nicola Savarese, eds., A Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology: The Secret Art of the Performer, second edition, London: Routledge 2006
Evans, Mark, Movement Training and the Modern Actor, London: Routledge 2009
Grotowski, Jerzy, Towards a Poor Theatre, London: Routledge 2002
Hodge, Alison, ed., Actor Training, second edition, London & New York: Routledge 2010
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
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate essential practical skills and processes of physical and laboratory theatre training within a pre-professional context;
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the various contexts (historical, ethical, and terminological) that influence and inform physical and laboratory theatre training;
- Demonstrate the ability to develop, individually and within a group, physical training processes, with particular emphasis on body flexibility and vocal range, as well as project
management;
- Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the symbiotic relationship between practice and terminology, with particular emphasis on the practice-based conceptualisation of movement,
space, rhythm, texture, range, and relationship with observers;
- Demonstrate complete understanding of the essential links between laboratory training and its application in acting and performance composition;
- Demonstrate the ability to document the creative processes and artistic work in effective formats;
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of current discourses of and around theatre training and the contextualisation of their own work within these contexts.
- The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Undertake research and creative investigations as well as develop artistic ideas in original and critically reflective ways;
- Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in team structures, understanding and negotiating group dynamics and handling and solving interpersonal issues;
- Demonstrate sophisticated communication skills, both oral and written, negotiating, communicating, discussing and documenting ideas, visions, critique, and argument in a coherent,
productive, and effective way;
- 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;
- 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.
