Studying at York
Performance Project: Acting - TFT00046C
- 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
You will be exposed to some performance skills, with a focus on developing you as a theatre-maker. We will introduce you to a range of practitioner approaches, to ensure (a) you are equipped to recognise the kinds of character and ensemble forms, opportunities, and challenges that are presented in different plays, and (b) that you are able to recognise suitable acting and performance approaches, activities, and techniques to meet those specific opportunities and challenges. In short, the module encourages you to become a creative, knowledgeable, and reflective practitioner.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2023-24 |
Module aims
This module aims:
- To introduce you to character work and develop your ensemble practice.
- To explore a range of actor approaches, techniques, workshop activities, and rehearsal possibilities, in theory and practice.
- To develop you as an enlightened and reflective performer.
- To deepen your understanding of the possibilities and challenges of play texts for performance.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of this you should be able:
- to have an understanding of the actor’s role.
- to present enlightened and reflective character work and ensemble practice.
- to rehearse and perform in ways that demonstrate understanding of the language of performance.
- to show sensitivity to the possibilities and challenges of play texts for the actor.
Module content
This module builds on the performance-work begun in Theatre-Making Workshop. It extends the ambition of that work, as we continue to negotiate features of storytelling, space, and bodies in performance; it extends your exploration of the possibilities of ensemble practice; and it introduces you to the challenges of characterisation in relation to a sampling of plays.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 75 |
| Practical | 25 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Formative assessment will include a short extract from the student's reflective logbook in week 4 or 5 and group performances in week 11 and 12.
*For summative assessments, students will lose 3 marks per workshop, seminar or practical missed for this module.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 50 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 50 |
Module feedback
You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.
Indicative reading
Benedetti, J. (2005). The Art of the Actor.
Hodge, A. (ed.). (2010). Actor Training.
Bogart, A. and Landau, T. (2005). The Viewpoints Book.
von Laban, R. (1971). The Mastery of Movement.
Cohen, R. (2002). Acting One.
Zarrilli, P. (1995). Acting (re)considered: Theories and Practices.