BA Drama

Please note that this unit is delivered on-campus only and is therefore not available to remote learners

This module gives students experience of aspects of theatre and performance practice and facilitates and develops an enhanced ability to approach theatre as both practitioner and critic.

Performance Practices 1 introduces students to aspects of theatre practice that they will draw on during the rest of the degree. Workshops will focus on a specific theatre and performance skill – for example, writing for performance, devising, physical theatre, body and voice work, and work produced collaboratively will lead to an opportunity to share and evaluate work with peers. Thinking about and developing effective approaches to the documentation and recording of, and reflection on practice is an important part of this module and students will develop skills in journaling - charting and reflecting on their progress.

• To provide students with the opportunity to specialise in a range of key theatre/performance practices
• To introduce students to key readings in theatre/performance practice
• To prepare students for the practical work and theatre-making they will engage with during the rest of their programme
• To introduce students to ideas and concepts around critical and reflective practices in relation theatre making

• demonstrate an understanding of the role of reflection and analysis in developing practical work, and understand the role of practice in creating original work for performance

• understand the role of co-operation and collaboration in developing practical work for performance

• demonstrate a knowledge about appropriate skills to use in specific settings

• reflect on their own practical skills in a critical and analytical way
• demonstrate a knowledge of their own skills in relation to professional practice
• demonstrate that they can apply an analysis of their experience to the completion of an assessment exercise

• demonstrate that they have acquired skills to a level of specialisation in specific areas of theatre/performance practice
•  evaluate different approaches to theatre/performance making
• develop a style of journaling and record keeping and understand the importance of this in creating work for performance
• execute a collaborative piece of live performance

Transferable skills that students can expect to gain from successful completion of this module include:

• Basic interpersonal communication and team-working skills
• Developing an awareness of effective leadership and group-work skills
• Developing an ability to solve problems creatively and critically
• Performing with confidence and precision for an audience
• Working to deadlines and under pressure, independently and as part of a group

Barker, C. (1977) Theatre Games: A New Approach to Drama Training, London: Methuen

Bogart, A. (2007) And Then You Act, London: Routledge

Govan, E., H. Nicholson and K. Normington (2007) Making a Performance: Devising Histories and Contemporary Practices London: Routledge

Heddon, D. and J. Milling Devising Performance, Palgrave Macmillan, London

Johnston, C. (1998) House of Games: making theatre from everyday life, London & New York: Nick Hern Books

Johnston, C. (2007) The Improvisation Game: Discovering the Secrets of Spontaneous Performance, London: Nick Hern Books

Keefe, J. and S. Murray, (eds), (2007) Physical Theatres: A Critical Reader London: Routledge,

Keefe, J. and S. Murray, (eds), (2007) Physical Theatres: A Critical Introduction London: Routledge

Tomlin, L. (2015) British theatre Companies 1995-2014, Bloomsbury Methuen, London