DRAM30140 Performance Project

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module offers students experiential learning in methods of rehearsal processes, acting skills, ensemble building, devising, writing, and collaborative theatre making. To participate in this module, students must register and subsequently participate in a workshop and attend an interview in the first week of term in Autumn (September). Please note that registration alone does not guarantee participation in the module. Students who register for the module will be contacted about the exact date and time of the workshop and interview. If you have any further queries about this module please email: finola.cronin@ucd.ie.

Students are taught by professional theatre director, currently Ms Andrea Scott, and introduced to rehearsal methods and acting techniques, and to collaborative approaches in the creation of performance. Students research also, in both individual and team settings, the role of actor, and the writing of short scenes for theatre.

Methodologies of devising for performance and /or improvisation, along with practical application of relevant key practitioners in the field of performance, are tested in the module. The module is structured to include bi-weekly classes/rehearsals over an seven week period in Spring leading to a fully staged performance. Due to the nature of development of original work for performance on this module, attendance is expected and required at each class/ rehearsal.

This is a unique module that seeks students' full commitment.
The nature of this module - where students conceive the performance topic, write and perform their work demands that preparatory work on the writing of characters and performance scenes begins in Autumn and two preparatory meetings are therefore scheduled in Autumn to support students' collaborative online writing for performance.
The module runs in Spring, 6 hours per week for eight weeks.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Understand and be equipped to discuss critically a range of rehearsal and performance methods for the creation of performance.
Develop skills to critically assess the application of rehearsal methods in practice.
Develop and test acting and performance techniques and skills in live performance.
Understand in a critical and practical context, key roles of practitioners in the theatre.
Develop skills in editing of written material for theatre/performance contexts.
Understand performance space and role of audience.
Develop skills to work as part of a team and contribute to group creativity.

Indicative Module Content:

Autumn
Week 1. Workshop/Interview for participation in the module.
Week 4. Preparatory Meeting 1
Week 9. Preparatory Meeting 2
Spring
Weeks
1;2;3;4;5: Writing material for performance; staging the performance; designing performance
Week 6: Final Rehearsals (note possible scheduling of 1 Saturday rehearsal)
Week 7: 1 Preview performance; 4 Performance Run (3 OR 4 Performances)
Week 8: Module Review and Essay Preparation

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Practical

52

Autonomous Student Learning

148

Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is an intensive module where students create, write and perform their work in a collaborative manner. The learning students very much lead the creative process and are in addition supported by a professional theatre director (currently Ms Andrea Scott).
Ms Scott guides students in preparatory writing of character, scene, theme and topic in Autumn. Students collaborative in small groups or in pairs in the development of this original work.
In Spring, students rehearse and test ideas and develop their writing and playtext under supervision of Andrea Scott.
In rehearsals/classes the mode of teaching is continuous feedback and support of students' developing work. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Contemporary Ireland on Stage
20thCentury AvantGarde Theatre


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
DRAM20030 - Collab Prac: Intro to Devising, DRAM20090 - Contemporary British Theatre, DRAM20110 - Contemporary Ireland On Stage, DRAM20170 - Intro to Acting: Monologues, DRAM20190 - Playwriting, ENG20250 - Modern Drama

Required:
DRAM20180 - 20thCentury AvantGarde Theatre

Additional Information:
Before registering for this module, students must have: passed DRAM20110, attempted DRAM20180, AND students must have passed ONE of the following modules: DRAM20030 or DRAM20090 or ENG20250 or DRAM20170 or DRAM20190.


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Performance Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

40

Continuous Assessment: Comprising:
Research Journal 15%
Contribution to rehearsals and writing tasks 15%
Essay/Reflective Analysis 30%
Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

60


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Ongoing feedback in the writing process of student scenes for performance Ongoing feedback in support of students' individual and group performances. Essay feedback in post-assessment period.

Name Role
Dr Emma Bennett Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Andrea Scott Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Killian Kirwan Tutor