An examination of contemporary devising practices in Western theatre and performance. The course will be taught through theory and practice.

10 x 3 hour sessions

None

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Research trail. Relates to students' practice on the course and to further investigations they have made on the subject of contemporary devising. The document should be between 15 and 20 pages (A4 or equivalent) in length, and approximately 2500 words. Each student will agree a research question (or questions) with the tutor to guide and steer the Research Trail - 50%

■ Critical performance practice. Working in groups students will devise a 20 - 30 minute piece of theatre working on a theme or form agreed with their tutor. Students will be awarded a group mark. Students will also compose a critically reflective 'programme note' to accompany the performance explaining their objectives, working methods and dramaturgical choices. At the completion of each performance students will respond to brief questions posed by tutors and students present - 50%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the research trail, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ Solo Performance or Alternative Medium of Performance as an alternative to the critical performance practice

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

The course aims to:

■ develop students' existing understanding of devising performance practices in the contemporary period;

■ examine and interrogate selected theoretical and critical underpinnings of contemporary devised performance;

■ identify and analyse different tropes of contemporary devised performance;

■ develop students' skills in the compositional and performance practice(s) of contemporary devised performance.

■ develop students' skills into various research methodologies appropriate for further understanding of devised theatre practices.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ interrogate a number of theoretical frameworks which inform contemporary devised theatre practices

■ compose a piece of devised performance through the application of practice-based dramaturgical skills

■ identify different modalities of devised theatre

■ combine practical and theoretical analysis of devised theatre practices

■ integrate informed critical research on devised performance practices with influences of other art forms and/or interdisciplinary practices