Year 1 Acting Module

Module MT3:

UK Credits: ECTS: Level:

Year 1 Acting

40 20 HE4

Outline

You will begin to develop a personal approach to acting through exploration of a variety of techniques. You will also begin to build a strong technical foundation in vocal technique.

Overall Aims

To enable you to act in a variety of performance situations, including musicals and plays, with confidence, concentration, discipline, energy and technical control.

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this module, you will be expected to be able to: Skills • use imagination, concentration and observation in performance • perform with belief, energy and focus • work in an effective and disciplined way as a member of a group in performance • demonstrate confidence in the use of a range of acting styles and techniques • demonstrate the playing of single actions and objectives • apply voice techniques to text work • work confidently with text Knowledge and Understanding • demonstrate your understanding and delivery of theatrical texts • work confidently with the techniques and terminology of professional theatre • understand the basics of character creation through body and voice Values and Attitudes • Appreciate the value of feedback and constructive criticism • Respect and value the work of others.

Acting

Tutor Tutor led Hours Dan Bird 4 hours x 30 weeks = 120 hours

Aims

• To develop your ability to observe your environment and use your observations creatively in realisation of character and text. • To develop your ability to use your own experiences to inform character interpretation. • To develop your knowledge and experience of the working methods of Stanislavski. • To develop your research abilities and link that research into your practical character work. • To develop your ability to work productively as an ensemble member • To develop your ability to create believable characters from observation of yourself and the people around you

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this component, you will be expected to be able to: Skills • work effectively both individually and in groups • practice different approaches to line learning and text deconstruction • apply Stanislavski’s basic principles of actions and objectives • use your own experiences and emotional responses in the creation of character • use observation of others in the creation of character • deliver believable characterisation appropriate to the demands of a text • use research productively in the creation and realisation of character • maintain a character throughout an improvised context • display spontaneity in the creative process • focus and concentrate in rehearsal • create and maintain a character diary Knowledge and understanding • understand the initial practical approaches to a piece of text • understand basic stagecraft Values and Attitudes • recognise the value of working as an individual within the context of a group • value the necessity for discipline in the rehearsal room • appreciate the value and importance of research • demonstrate self-discipline and focus in self-directed study

How will I learn?

You will take part in workshop classes, tutorials, solo and group improvisations and role plays and group presentations focusing on the following topics:

Term 1

• fundamental English skills and practical application to text • core Stanislavskian precepts • text and script analysis • research practices • the actor in the space • connection and presence • communication

Term 2

• character development, including animal observations and application to text • acting through song workshops • Clowning • actions, units and objectives • Improvisation skills • Storytelling

Term 3

• advanced practical approaches to actions, units and objectives in the analysis of text • practical scene building and rehearsal skills • recap and application of accrued skills to assessment scenes

Speech & Voice

Tutors Tutor led Hours Caitlin Stegmoller, Adam Wallis 4 hours x 30 weeks = 120 hours

A sequence of technique classes in voice and speech involving: • Physical preparation: relaxing and centring the body, encouragement of neutral physicality so as to free the breathing mechanism and to open up the possibilities of a free, supported and expressive voice. • Exercises to develop breathing capacity, control, connection and support for the sound. • Exercises to begin to have an open channel and good resonance. • Exercises to develop vocal expression and variety (pitch, pace, volume and emotional tone) • Exercises to develop articulation and clear speech. • Applying vocal technique to text to begin to meet the communicative need of the actor and the text. • Exploration of the structures of speech and the use of the IPA in transcribing them.

• Work to develop a truthful and connected delivery of text in Received Pronunciation (RP).

Aims

• To develop a relaxed, centred and aligned body. • To develop abdominal release, optimal breathing and a free supported voice. • To develop clear, vibrant, dynamic and flexible speech. • To develop effective listening. • To develop storytelling, communication of ideas and imagery and verse speaking. • To develop confidence in sight reading. • To develop an understanding of the structure and notating of speech through work on the IPA. • To develop practical ability in speaking Received Pronunciation (RP) • To lay the foundation for work on further accents and dialects in year 2

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this component, you will be expected to be able to: Skills • perform without restrictive physical and vocal habits • maintain good alignment, abdominal release and supported breathing and voice • begin to use the voice with expression and freedom and clear articulation • engage in storytelling, communicating ideas and verse speaking understanding and a connected voice • Sight read with increasing confidence and fluency Knowledge and Understanding • understand the anatomy and physiology of vocal production • understand how to maintain the condition of the voice and to guard and protect it in the future • sustain accurate and natural RP speech • recognise and reproduce the sounds and symbols of the IPA as used in RP • use IPA phonetics to help in notating RP text for performance

How will I learn?

You will take part in a sequence of technique classes.

Term 1

You will be introduced to the way in which voice functions. The main emphasis of the work is the understanding and practice of relaxation and good physical alignment, the encouragement of the optimal movement of the breathing muscles, an open channel and a free voice. This will be applied through a storytelling project. Introduction to the anatomy of speech and articulation, the I.P.A.: Cardinal vowels and Received Pronunciation (RP) vowels and consonants. Practice in listening to and identifying RP vowels and consonants. Practice in speaking RP vowels and consonants.

Term 2

Work continues as before with continued exercises on relaxation, optimal breath and the free voice. This is developed with a focus on support and articulation, which feeds into a focus on the communication and articulation of ideas through a project on rhetorical speeches. Introduction to the concepts of notating connected speech. Introductory work on the transcription of written and aural text. Introduction and practice of RP in connected speech.

Term 3

Work continues to develop and embed the technique of a free supported voice and is enhanced through work on resonance and optimal pitch. This is developed along with rhetorical speaking skills/devices in a project on rhetorical speeches. Continued development of speaking and transcription skills. The production of a breakdown of student’s native accent.

Projects

Appropriate vocal technique is further developed through acting projects.

Physical Theatre

Tutor Tutor led Hours Laura Weston 1.25 x 14 = 17.5 hours

Aims

To enable you to: • Understand the potential of your body as an actor’s tool. • Understand the link between physicality and characterisation. • Release creativity through physical expression.

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this component, you will be expected to be able to demonstrate: Knowledge and understanding • an understanding of the language of physical theatre • an awareness of both personal and group physicalisation Skills • progress in using the body as an expressive actor’s instrument Values and Attitudes • an awareness of the link between physical theatre and character creation and therefore the interconnectivity of the acting training

How will I learn?

An introduction to physical theatre and characterisation through physicality. Sessions may include animal imagery, mask work, neutrality and transformation.

Fitness, Health and Safety

Health and Safety is not taught as a separate class but embedded in the teaching throughout the module.

The planning, implementing and maintaining of personal health and fitness is an intrinsic part of the programme. Students are instructed on all aspects of theatre discipline, health and safety and best practice. Learning takes place during timetabled acting, voice and physical theatre classes, and in technical rehearsals.

Acting

• Theatre practice including Health & Safety is taught and assessed as part of 1st Year Acting classes. • All 1st Year students work as Technical crews for productions and are instructed in back-stage Health and Safety rules

Voice

You are given instruction on how to use your voice safely. Emphasis is placed on individual responsibility for your own voice, its development and care.

What will I be expected to achieve?

At the conclusion of the Year 1 Acting module you should understand how to: Skills • Prepare and execute suitable warm-up exercises in order to protect the body and the voice. • Use the voice and body safely. • Maintain physical awareness of fellow performers and technicians in rehearsal and performance. • Demonstrate a sense of physical self-awareness. Knowledge and Understanding • Understand and implement the principles of fitness health and safety. • Maintain awareness of the possible limitations of any given performance space. Values and Attitudes • Understand and value rehearsal room discipline in a health and safety context. • Behave professionally and safely in a rehearsal room/class room. • Understand and value focus and concentration when in a technical environment.

MODULE TEACHING PATTERN

Teaching Component Type Contact Hours Self Directed Study Hours

Total Student Learning Hours Acting Workshop classes 120 60 180 Speech and Voice Technique classes 120 60 180 Physical Theatre Workshop classes 17.5 22.5 40

Totals 257.5 142.5 400

How will I be assessed?

Monitoring of your progress in each of the assessed components of the Year 1 Acting module is continuous. Tutors inform the Course Director immediately if they have any concerns about your level of attainment, discipline or attendance. The purpose of assessment is to enable you and teachers to identify your strengths and weaknesses in the key areas of the programme. The main assessment methods are: • Continuous observation in all Technique and Workshop classes • Mid and End of Year evaluation in Acting, Voice and Speech • End of Year assessment in Acting, Voice and Speech • Practical assessment in projects and public performances • Observation of written assignments, tests, notebooks and diaries

Mid and End of Year Classwork

Tutors give students indicative grades half way through the year in mid February and classwork is marked formally at the end of the year. Mid and end of year class work grades are awarded on the basis of your response to, and development through, the process. Assessment is made with reference to the specific learning outcomes described above and the following general criteria relating to Professional Employment skills: • Commitment; preparedness for work; self-directed study • concentration; application; personal motivation • receptiveness to the process • ability to accept, and act on, notes and corrections • ability to work within group (listening; sensitivity; responsiveness; generosity; co-operation) • progression: growth and development of skills and knowledge • development of flexibility and spontaneity • capacity to experiment and take risks • development of awareness of the working process

End of year Assessments

Towards the end of the summer term first year students have formal assessments in each of the disciplines before a panel which may include an external assessor. The formal assessment in acting consists of the following three elements:

Acting: 1. You will work on scenes, to be presented to a panel of internal and external assessors during assessment fortnight. Voice and Speech: 2. The Acting scene presented during assessment fortnight will include a separate mark for voice and speech. 3. You will work on a rhetorical speech in Received Pronunciation, to be presented during assessment fortnight.

MODULE ASSESSMENT PATTERN

Assessment Component Acting Speech and Voice

Physical Theatre

Assessment Type end of year assessment 1 class work end of year assessment 2 end of year assessment 3 class work class work

Weight ing 75 25

Pass Mark

Pass/ Fail 40 No

50 25 25 40 No

n/a n/a Yes

What do I have to do to pass?

You are required to achieve a grade if 40% or above in end of year assessments and class work in Acting and Speech and Voice, and to pass Physical Theatre. Assessment criteria and grade descriptors can be found at the back of this handbook. The overall mark for the module is calculated according to the following weightings: Acting 70% Speech and Voice 30%

How and when will I get feedback on my assessments?

Individual one-to-one feedback will be provided by the first year acting tutor towards the end of the assessment fortnight. Speech and Voice feedback will be given in class time after assessments are completed. Clarification of feedback or extra tutorials can be requested from the Head of Department.

READING LIST

Title

The Oxford Illustrated History of Theatre The Empty Space Blink The Basics of Acting The Actor and the Target An Actor Prepares Finding Your Voice

Author Publisher Year

John Russell Brown (ed.) OUP

2001 Peter Brook Penguin Classics 2008 Malcolm Gladwell Penguin 2007 Bella Merlin Routledge 2010 Declan Donnellan Nick Hern 2005 Konstantin Stanislavski Barbara Houseman Bloomsbury Academic Nick Hern 2013 2002