| CODE | THS2203 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Theatre Skills: Directing | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Theatre Studies | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will expose students to some of the most common areas of work related to the role of the director in theatre. Following a brief historical and theoretical contextualisation, students will train in the practical requirements of (i) creating a mise-en-scène (ii) montage techniques (iii) postdramatic textures. Through a number of simulations and practical explorations, students will get the opportunity to practice some of the main skills of the director, such as the creation of an all-encompassing vision, working collectively with an ensemble, creating and running a rehearsal schedule, organisation, and time management. Sessions will be delivered by experts in the area, both from within the department and from the pool of professional collaborators that THS has assembled and continues to assemble. Students will be expected to participate fully in every session and to engage in pre-session and post-session tasks. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to help students acquire skills that are required from them to work as directors in professional settings, as expected within local but also international theatre scenarios. The main aim of the study-unit is to immerse students in an environment where they can experience the areas of work typically associated with contemporary theatre directing – consequently, students will be equipped with the skills and techniques necessary to navigate these areas, from the initial conception of a theatre production to its final realisation on the stage. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Make an informed decision about which directorial approach best suits a particular performance project; b. Conceive production plans in different theatre styles or genres; c. Articulate and manage a rehearsal schedule, including the details and aspects typically involved in production week; d. Construct performance work where all elements organically come together, as needed; e. Articulate directorial instructions and transmit these to a cast; f. Explain the historical and theoretical implications behind the role of the theatre director. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Show confidence in working with others in group settings b. Apply theoretical and historical frameworks to a concrete performance practice; c. Discuss health and safety issues relating to preparing for and performing in theatres; d. Relate appropriately with third-parties (spectators, media, etc.); e. Reflect analytically, in written form, on the processes undertaken. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: Shevtsova, M. and C. Innes. 2013. The Cambridge Companion to Theatre Directing, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Thompson, K. 2019. Directing Professionally: A Practical Guide to Developing a Successful Career in Today’s Theatre, London: Methuen Drama Supplementary Readings: Other texts will be suggested depending on the students’ projects. |
||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Tutorial and Practical | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Stefan Aquilina |
||||||||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||||||||