Module: ACT4020-20 Preparing the Actor

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Kerry Irvine

Module Tutor Contact Details: k.irvine@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This 5-week module introduces you to the range of approaches that prepare you to act and develop your acting process as well as  reflect on the development of your learning.  

The module aims are to: 

• Foster an understanding of how acting draws on a range of physical, conceptual and creative skills

• Engender a dedicated personal commitment to individual skills acquisition

• Explore how reflection enables your approach to learning

2.Outline syllabus

You will develop your awareness of the practical skills and knowledge required to prepare your body and mindset to enable you to develop your acting. You will consider how to engage with collaborative practice and how to respond individually and collectively to a stimulus through a sense of playfulness, exploring levels of tension, tempo and rhythm. This exploration of play and improvisation aims to stimulate your creativity. Alongside this, to establish strong foundations in voice and movement, you will consider how posture and alignment; release; relaxation and breath work form the core of your physical work as an actor. Underpinning this module is an introduction to reflective practice to prepare you to think critically and reflect on your own skills development as an actor. 

3.Teaching and learning activities

In all your level 4 modules, you will be taught across a series of discipline classes that underpin your development as an actor. These classes include (but are not exclusive to) Acting, Context, Improvisation, Movement, Singing, Voice, etc.

For this module you will engage with practical classes and then consider the impact of your learning through tutorials and reflective study. Given that this module is about establishing your reflective and self-evaluative practice, the single assessment task takes a diagnostic approach to your learning to date.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Individual Diagnostic Tutorial

• % Weighting: 100%