Performing Arts Practice 1A (DR)

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

140 hours

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/

This subject is delivered via 3 modules - Module One: Equipment Operation; Module Two: Devised Project and Module Three: Shadow Program.

Module One:

Tool time

Students will be instructed in the techniques required to safely and effectively operate basic hand and power tools in the construction and set up of production elements for the stage. Class will take the form of lecture/demonstrations followed by individual or group, practical tasks including:

• Basic Hand & Power Tool Skills

• Scenery assembly techniques

• Mechanist skills

Module Two:

ISM's Project

This module will provide students with an opportunity to collaborate in the realising of a performance piece. The first year cohort will be divided into groups of approximately 4-6 people and provided with a stimulus. Each group will work in a collegial and collaborative manner to devise a response to the stimulus with an outcome that can that will be viewed by an audience of their peers.

Module Three:

Shadowing Program

This module will provide students with an opportunity to be assigned to student who is specialising in the same area of study. This student will be assigned to a project in a leadership role and the 1st year student will ‘shadow’ this student for as long as is required.

Module One:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to safely and effectively participate in the assembly and set up of production elements for the stage construct or break down a simple prop.

Module Two:
On successful completion of this module students will be able to apply knowledge gained from the first and second module.
Participants of this module will work as a member of a team and produce a performance that can be viewed by an audience of peers.

Module Three:
At the end of this exercise the student should have a better understanding of what a Designer/Maker does when working on a practical studio-based project. They should be able to articulate the tasks that this involves and therefore be able to reflect on how it relates to their own practice.

Module One: 20%

Practical weekly tasks (500 words or equivalent) Mid semester
Workbook Due week 10 (500 words or equivalent)

Module Two: 30%

A 1,000 word essay clearly articulating the dramaturgical reasoning behind the devised work, your individual input and a self-reflection on the process and final product (1,000 words or equivalent) Mid semester

Module Three: 40%
A diary of what the shadowing days entail, include meetings etc. (1,000 words or equivalant) End of year project 20%

A written response “If I was in their ‘shoes’, what would I do differently” (1,000 words or equivalant) 20%

Participation (for all modules) 10% - Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 80% of classes without an approved exemption you will not be eligible for a pass in this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. All assignment work must be submitted and a pass in each module must be achieved for successful completion of this subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completing this subject students will be able to:
• work at various levels, both as an individual and as a team member, in a wide variety of visual/performing artistic environments;
• exhibit extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline including relevant professional knowledge, skills, discipline and ethics as they relate to a practising visual/performing artist;
• demonstrate practical skills in respect of critical analysis, problem solving, report writing, team work and oral and written communication;
• demonstrate capacities for artistic imagination, creativity, transformation and interpretation.