Professional Experience Elective

Subject 757-811 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 6 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1 hour per week tutorial with Drama supervisor. Other hours as arranged with theatre company.
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
Subject Overview: The purpose of this subject is to provide the opportunity for the student to experience a work of professional theatre in all its stages of development.

In consultation with the course coordinator, the student will make arrangements with a professional theatre company or professional individual theatre practitioner to witness the production of the creative work through the stages of planning, realisation, organisation, technical coordination, publicity and presentation. A contract will be agreed upon between the student, the company and the VCA, which outlines the terms of the secondment: the nature of the student involvement, the responsibilities of each party involved and the shared objectives of the secondment project. The student will meet regularly with the course coordinator to discuss the progress of the secondment.

The student will be expected to keep a log of the process being witnessed.

Note: While the student is involved in the secondment they will not be expected to attend any other course work units.
Assessment: Quality of involvement in the project - assessed by company representative in consultation with course coordinator (60%); Production log of 4000 words (due at end of secondment) (40%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

At the completion of this subject the student should:

  • Be able to constructively support the creative practice of other artists;

  • Demonstrate experiential knowledge in the workings of an arts organisation;

  • Demonstrate a capacity for documentation of arts practice;

  • Demonstrate skills in communication and feedback;

  • Have a wider understanding of the cultural field.
Links to further information: http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/drama/
Related Course(s): Master of Theatre Practice

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