Acting Studies 1

Subject DRAM10011 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 18.75
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Year Long, Southbank - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 150 hours
Total Time Commitment:

180 hours. Students are expected to undertake a minimum of 36 hours of self-directed, individual practice.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Year Long
18.75
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 Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Ms Margot Fenley

Contact

Faculty of the VCA and Music Student Centre
Email: vcam-info@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 9685 9419
Fax: +61 3 9685 9358
Web: www.vcam.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Acting in this Degree focuses on the requirements of developing the actor’s individual intuitive and imaginative response alongside technical craft skills. These two approaches integrate personal interpretation with the demands of serving the style and substance of story and text to provide performance that is rich in both form and content, with the clear understanding that in theatre, analytical work must have full and free physical and emotional expression to be meaningful.

In first year the creative and expressive potential of the actor is explored through the development of imagination, self-awareness, flexibility, connection and play, whilst analytical and craft-based skills are introduced to assist the performer’s development of a full personal process. Movement classes will develop the actor’s awareness of physical expression and potential for transformation. The focus on the self will place the actor at the centre of their work as a performer and potential performance maker and will be balanced against the requirements of working in an ensemble.

The acting skills taught in this module will provide a process and language that will also underpin development of character and story through song and dance in Music Theatre for truly integrated performance.
Objectives: Upon completion of this subject students should be able to:
• Gain a sense of autonomy in their artistic process by identifying personal patterns and areas of resistance or difficulty and working positively to overcome them.
• Work with imagination, spontaneity and curiosity to develop a sense of play and exploration in all facets of their learning.
• Exhibit greater freedom, expression and articulation in the body.
• Consistently work with both internal and interpersonal connection.
• Exhibit a working understanding of language and concepts central to the actor’s craft and apply those concepts to acting, singing and dancing as appropriate.
• Utilise processes in text work, including explorative, play-based and technical processes, specifically, imaginatively and physically.
• demonstrate an emerging and practical understanding of the relationship between ‘the actor’ and ‘the singer/dancer’ as a foundation for holistic Music Theatre performance.
• Understand that full engagement of the self in the work and with others is the essential foundation upon which performance skills are built.
• Reflect on and describe their experiences of the work.
• Offer, receive and utilise constructive critical feedback.
• Exhibit an ability to work in an ensemble with personal integrity, trust and unconditional respect for the work of others.
Assessment:

Continuous: preparation and participation in classes, demonstrating continuous application to performance tasks during first and second semester (70%)

Formal: based on performance of two set tasks, one at the end of each semester (15%)

Written: self-assessment of progress based on a journal of classroom experiences, self-directed study and progress towards agreed personal artistic objectives to be submitted at the end of each semester (500 words per self-assessment) 15%
Prescribed Texts: Nil
Recommended Texts: Nil
Breadth Options:

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

Upon completion of this subject students should be able to:
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of skill in the three major skill areas of singing, acting and dance, both individually and in combination.
• Recognise their uniqueness as a performer and maintain that integrity whilst developing diversity.
• Practise their craft with autonomy, confidence, self-awareness and self-motivation.
• Synthesise the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to the various requirements of genre and style in diverse range of Music Theatre practice.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Music Theatre

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