Module: ACT5000-20 Actor Interpreter

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Gary Cassidy

Module Tutor Contact Details: g.cassidy@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Building on level 4 process-led modules: Introduction to Acting Processes and Acting Processes, this module develops a practical understanding and application of scene study and text analysis. You engage with a range of established approaches and key principles for interpreting text based classical and/or contemporary drama, through industry-focused projects of increasing complexity and professional demand. In rehearsal, you interrogate, analyse and apply these methods to selected scenes in order to expand and inform your personal acting process and importantly, to develop your skills as an independent learner.

An important aspect of this module involves building on the personal development planning (PDP) explored in Skills 1, in which you reflected on your skills learning and then developed an individual action plan. In the Actor Interpreter module, this process is developed further through a written critical evaluation of your skills base applied to the specific principles of interpreting text, which fosters your development as critically self-aware actors.

The module aims are:

• To develop your understanding and application of the key principles and methods for approaching, analysing and interpreting text-based drama.

• To provide you with a thorough and industry-focussed grounding in scene study and text analysis.

• To test your ability to integrate acquired knowledge and expertise from other skill-based classes in order to expand your range and versatility as an actor in text-based drama.

2.Outline syllabus

Actor Interpreter explores the cognate area of text analysis and the psycho-physical acting processes that inform contemporary approaches to acting and performance. This module explores a range of methods for approaching a text: analysing and researching the world of the play; historical, social and political context; language; style and form; action and staging; narrative structure; character analysis and embodiment; super-objective, scene objectives, through-line and given circumstances.

The personal development planning process (PDP) involves ongoing critical awareness and reflection on how your skills base is applied to and informs the specific principles of interpreting text.

3.Teaching and learning activities

This module uses a combination of tutor-led workshops, student-led practice and lectures

The formative assessment activity for this module is a scratch showing of work-in-progress and notes on rehearsals as you work towards your final assessed studio-based performance. Ongoing shared self-reflective discussion prepares the way for PDP assignment.

Summative assessment of practical work is through the presentation of a prepared text-based scene. This is accompanied by a self-reflective academic essay.

It is important to keep a journal or blog recording your development and to use this to evidence any required research along with annotated texts, character profiles, etc. This is not an assessed item, but you are expected to refer to this in class discussion.

The Bath Spa VLE, Minerva, provides information to help develop an appreciation of the broader technical and artistic aspects, which underpin this subject area, and develop skills in independent learning.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Practical presentation of a text-based scene (1 piece)

• % Weighting: 75%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Self-reflective academic essay (1,250 words)

• % Weighting: 25%