Studying at York
Theatre-Making Workshop - TFT00042C
- Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
- See module specification for other years: 2024-25
Module summary
This module is designed to introduce you to performance theories and practices which will underpin your theatre-making work in the coming three years.
The module will be organised under three headings: storytelling, space, and the body.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2023-24 |
Module aims
This module aims:
- To cultivate an exploratory and ensemble-based approach to performance.
- To introduce you to the theory and practice of performance-making, focusing on the language of performance, most particularly its aspects of: storytelling, the use of space, and the body in performance.
- To develop skills of performance analysis (written and verbal).
- To introduce you to a variety of performance, workshop, and rehearsal-room approaches, activities, and techniques.
- To encourage you to start to recognise the features of performance stimuli (such as play texts), which present opportunities and challenges for performance-makers.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of this module you will be able to:
- Apply an exploratory and ensemble-based approach to performance.
- Actively reflect on the theory and practice of performance-making where these connect to the aspects of: storytelling, the use of space, and the body in performance.
- Analyse a range of performances (orally and in writing).
- Apply performance, workshop, and rehearsal-room approaches, activities, and techniques thoughtfully and creatively to performance stimuli.
- Recognise some of the features of performance stimuli, which present as opportunities and challenges for performance-makers.
- Rehearse and perform in ways that demonstrate understanding of the language of performance.
Module content
You arrive on our programme with a diverse array of backgrounds in terms of practical work, so this is a foundational programme, which ensures that you
are all comfortably set on the road to acquiring the skills, knowledges, and vocabularies needed for the challenges ahead. Your sessions will be a mixture
of seminar- and workshop-based activities, where theory and practice are interwoven. These sessions will introduce you to performance theory, a variety
of theatre performances, performance analysis, performance stimuli (including play texts), and a range of rehearsal and performance approaches and
techniques. A crucial aspect of the sessions is to inculcate a spirit of ensemble and problem-solving, essential for the ambitious projects that come later,
especially towards the end of the second year and throughout the third year.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 75 |
| Practical | 25 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
*Students will lose 3 marks per workshop, seminar or practical missed for this module.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 75 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 25 |
Module feedback
You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.
Indicative reading
Conroy C. (2010). Theatre and the Body. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Counsell, C. and Wolf, L. (eds). (2001). Performance Analysis: An Introductory Coursebook. Routledge.
Fortier M. (1997). Theory/Theatre: An Introduction. Routledge.
Freshwater H. (2009). Theatre & Audience. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Linklater K. (2006). Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Language. London: Nick Hern.
Shepherd S. (2004). Drama/Theatre/Performance. Taylor & Francis.
Solga K. (2019). Theory for Theatre Studies: Space. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama.