Module: PM7006-30 - Directing Circus 1: Performer as Source

Level: 7

Credit Value: 30

Module Tutor:

Module Tutor Contact Details:

1. Brief description and aims of module

This practical module explores a range of roles, responsibilities and skills necessary for directing circus-based performance. You study different types of circus performance creation and demonstrate skills through practice and knowledge sharing. You engage in short, small projects, mainly working to facilitate the creative ideas and performance of the performer(s). The module aims to:

• Provide students with a range of approaches and practical directing skills
• Provide practical opportunities to explore these approaches
• Develop understanding of different circus performance contexts, limitations and opportunities

2. Outline syllabus

Specialist staff teach this module through workshops, seminars and lectures. You begin by learning about all the roles that a circus director may be required to fulfil including dramaturgy, choreography and design, as well as the implications of different starting points such as performer-as-source and director-as-author. You will also learn technical/specialist practical skills for directing circus such as use of equipment, use of music, use of writing, spatial/audience relationships, voice and acting direction. You then apply these skills that you have learned to projects, firstly with your peers and subsequently with students on the Circomedia Foundation Degree and BA. You will learn how to document and critically reflect upon your growing directing practice through class work and on-line blog. Guidance is on Minerva for the blog content.

Summatively assessed tasks in this module focus on performer-as-source, working on two projects with Circomedia undergraduate students or equivalent. You will demonstrate your understanding of the possibilities and limitations of equipment, venue specifications and given audience. As technical requirements will vary, students work closely with supervisors as to appropriateness of their use of resources.

The third task is a practice-as-research (PAR) blog that demonstrates the development and embedding of your directing skills and your critical reflection of your on-going practice. You document your process and performances on-line as a blog and submit the completed work at the end of the first trimester through the turnitin feature on Minerva. The blog requires a minimum of two posts per week.

3. Teaching and learning activities

The module is delivered through workshops, seminars and lectures. Formative assessment is through design and delivery of creative activities working with other students on the MA course. These enable you to gather feedback on assessment objects before summative submissions/presentation of work. This feedback also informs the content of your practice as research blog.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Coursework
• Description: Direction of Project 1 – practical performance task
• % Weighting: 30%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Coursework
• Description: Direction of Project 2 – practical performance task
• % Weighting: 30%

Assessment Item 3:

• Assessment Type: Coursework
• Description: Blog (equivalent 3000 words)
• % Weighting: 40%