Acting and Performance Making 1B

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Estimated total time commitment: 144 hours.

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

The focus of this subject is on language, space and action and the process of bringing dramatic text to performance. Particular attention is given to the ways in which meaning is created verbally, physically and spatially and how this informs contemporary theatre practice. Actors will work through the layers of “Researching the World’, understanding the “Dramatic Action”, “Internalizing the Text”, “Externalising the Text” and “Finding and Shaping the Form” in the context of performance.

This subject enables students to:
• work with respect for the ethics of theatrical practice;
• commence the skills of creating and sustaining an imaginary world;
• study the skills of endowment: the ability to take on a role other than oneself, the ability to endow objects, spaces and people with particular qualities;
• develop the skills of research;
• develop the skills of script analysis;
• understand an approach to working with dramatic text;
• develop the ability to take on the characteristics of another;
• integrate the work that has been explored in Body/Voice.

Practical Studio Class Work 60% (Focusing on achievements against set criteria in areas such as: developing a methodology, transference of skills into performance and professional attitude and commitment.)
Practical assessment of assigned tasks in group presentations 40% End of semester
Hurdle requirements: tudents must attend 80% of all scheduled classes and attempt all elements of assessment to be eligible for a pass in this subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completing this subject students will be able to:
• creatively solve problems;
• give and receive informed feedback;
• participate effectively in collaborative learning as a team member whilst respecting individual differences;
• multi-task and work in several fields of awareness simultaneously;
• work confidently in the unknown;
• develop a belief in the self;
• trust the work process in which they are involved ;
• initiate ideas and to put them into practice;
• work autonomously;
• work spontaneously with authenticity;
• create and organise aesthetic material;
• analyse written material;
• transfer conceptual thinking into practice.