Course prescriptions for Drama

Students must explore the topic using at least TWO of the following:

Students must explore the topic using at least TWO of the following:

This topic explores, theoretically and experientially, plays written by women or as a particular collaboration with women, which give expression to a female vision of human experience.

Students compare two female playwrights from different contexts and consider the ways women create, develop and assert their voice in a distinctive theatrical expression. In particular, the roles, characters, issues and situations depicted, the maintaining or breaking of stereotypes and socio/cultural judgements made about women are considered.

Students engage with the plays’ dramatic forms and techniques, performance styles and conventions to explore how varied issues affecting women’s equality, status and identities are voiced.

TWO plays must be chosen, ONE from each list.

List 1

List 2

This topic explores approaches to actor training in the 20th century and its realisation in theatre production or other forms of drama performance. The study involves the theoretical and experiential exploration of the philosophical and practical approaches to two practitioners’ works and the manifestation of their techniques, process and specific exercises, for performance. Students must consider the aesthetics and expression of the actor’s presence and its relationship to audience engagement. Specific examples from the practitioners’ theatre works, contemporary theatre practice and the student’s own experiential learning should be used to explore the topic.

TWO of the following practitioners and texts must be studied:

The following texts may be used in conjunction with, or as a supplement to, the texts above.

This topic explores, theoretically and experientially, plays written using the words of people interviewed about an issue or event known as Verbatim Theatre and the social context which gave rise to them. Students consider notions of authenticity and authority derived from direct testimony and community involvement. By engaging with the performance styles, techniques and conventions of the plays, students will explore the tension between maintaining truth while creating dramatic shape, theatricality and audience engagement. Students will include the development of a piece of original Verbatim Theatre in their study of this unit.

TWO of the following texts must be studied:

This topic explores, theoretically and experientially, modern comic plays from different countries that deal with what is often uncomfortable or suppressed. Students must investigate the nature of comedy and use of humour to confront an audience with human experiences of pain, loss, the controversial or the taboo. In particular, by engaging with the forms, styles, techniques and conventions of the plays, students assess how audiences are affected and whether laughter provides a cathartic experience in this style of theatre.

TWO of the following texts must be studied:

This topic explores, theoretically and experientially, the philosophies, processes and practices of a practitioner of multi-discipline theatre and how they challenge traditional representation and dramatic narrative in highly visual forms. Students study new and traditional theatre technologies and creative processes focused on collaboration, imagination, improvisation and physical expression. Students explore how multi-discipline theatre can address cultural, personal and global issues using acting, movement, film, music and sound, choreography and other resources. Study should include the student’s exploration of the process and performance of an original piece of multi-discipline theatre, drawing on practices of the chosen practitioner.

ONE of the following practitioners must be studied:

EITHER

Robert Lepage and ExMachina

OR

Simon McBurney and Théâtre de Complicité

The following text and link to the company’s website may be used in conjunction with or as a supplement to the Complicité texts:

• Complicité company website: www.complicite.org

This topic explores, theoretically and experientially, how significant theatrical works shifted and influenced the theatrical paradigm of the 20th century and beyond. The study explores plays that were revolutionary in response to the place and time of the original production, presented challenging content and reinvented or created new theatrical styles, structures and forms. By engaging with the performance and narrative styles, issues, techniques, conventions and staging of the plays, students will explore the impact and ways these plays broke new ground and sought to affect an audience in dynamic and powerful ways.

TWO of the following plays must be studied:

This topic explores, theoretically and experientially, the unique expression of the Japanese theatrical aesthetic, in both traditional and contemporary forms, in response to the historical, cultural and social context of the times. By engaging with the contemporary work of Tadashi Suzuki, and one traditional form – Noh or Kabuki or Bunraku – students investigate the form’s purpose and characteristics. Students explore how the performance styles, techniques and conventions, including staging, presentation of character, acting styles and training, music and movement, convey ideas and make meaning for an audience.

ONE of the following traditional Japanese forms must be studied:

AND ONE of the following contemporary works of Tadashi Suzuki