- Year 0 (Foundation year)
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In your first year you’ll explore a wide range of performance practices which will offer you a solid base for your BA degree in Dance. You’ll acquire a toolkit of skills in a supportive and professional environment, and the confidence to know how to use it.
Core modules
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PLYCO001 Introduction to the Study of Performance
In this module, students learn both written, theoretical and conceptual skills that will support them in a BA Performing Arts degree. The module will provide an overview of key historical shifts in theatre, dance and performance practices and will examine the way in which they have influenced contemporary performance making.
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PLYCO002 Introduction to Performance Training
This year-long module, foster the development of vocal and movement skills and techniques necessary for the successful creation of contemporary performance. Through regular workshop study, students will embark on a creative exploration of the physical and mental processes embedded in core traditions of actor, dance and drama training.
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PLYCO003 Introduction to Performance Making Processes 1
This module will introduce a range of theatre devising, dance making and performance making methods to develop students' understanding about the relationship between process and performance. Students will be required to research relevant processes and practices of theatre and dance through ensemble and small group performance work.
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PLYCO004 Introduction to Performance Making Processes 2
This modules will continue the study of a range of theatre devising, dance making and performance making methods aiming to further the students' understanding about the relationship between process and performance. Students will explore and research in more depth relevant processes and practices of theatre and dance through ensemble and small group performance work.
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PLYCO005 Introduction to Performance Analysis
In this module, students learn the art of theatre and dance analysis and enhance their writing skills. Students are required to attend professional productions and will apply their analytical skills to write critical analyses of these productions. This module allows the students to strengthen their skills as a writer and grow their understanding of performance production through the audience's eye.
- Year 1
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In your second year, you’ll learn the principles of acting and how to put theory into practice. You’ll also experience the process of creating performance, from page to stage.
Core modules
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ACT441 Introduction to Acting
This module provides an accessible introduction to the process of creating a role and playing a character. Students are asked to select a monologue by a character, from a play, that they can identify with and are given some basic techniques for building the character from their own life experiences and personal traits.
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ACT442 Page to Stage 1
This module encapsulates the aims of the programme in a condensed and intensive experience of theatre-making: students work together, with leadership from staff to read, rehearse design and present a number of fully realised scenes from plays. Students will experience all aspects of theatre production in a concentrated rehearsal process, with a performance at the end of each process.
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ACT443 Page to Stage 2
Page to Stage 2 builds on the work done in Page to Stage 1, teaching students techniques for building a character to help them to play more challenging roles. Techniques of dramaturgical analysis, ‘scoring’ a role and marking up a text provide the basis for building complex characters, with varied and unusual life experience; where Page to Stage 1 helped students to play characters that were much like themselves Page to Stage 2 challenges students to build characters very different from them. Physical skills, for example ‘animal work’, help students to find a physical lexis for presenting the dramaturgical information about characters that they have uncovered through text analysis.
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ACT444 Self and Character
This module is all about preparing actors to work in a profession with certain innate dangers to personal mental and physical health. The process of adopting a character, and enacting a role can mean that actors have to negotiate some very personal feelings and experiences, and giving them tools to do this is a health and sustainable way is what this module is all about.
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ACT445 Training for Actors 1
This module develops basic expressive vocal and movement skills necessary for the successful interpretation of dramatic and non-dramatic performative material. Through workshop study, the student will embark on a creative exploration of the physical and mental processes embedded in core traditions of actor training.
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PLYCO400 20th Century Performance Practices
Taught through a series of weekly workshops, students will acquire a number of basic vocal and movement techniques that will foster the development of key expressive skills. The course will seek to provide students with an introductory knowledge of vocal technique, which will include the study of breathing, projection, resonance, pitch control and posture. Students will develop basic techniques for usages of the voice in performance, in both singing and spoken registers. The module will also introduce students to basic movement techniques seeking to develop an awareness of concentration, observation, relaxation, sensitivity, responsiveness, focus and ‘presence’.
- Year 2
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In your third year, you’ll study the different styles of acting in more depth and develop your own practice by participating in the production of performances with industry experts. You’ll learn to craft and market your own performance work, and develop networks of collaborators for your future profession.
Core modules
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ACT501 Making Theatre 1
This module introduces students to the skills techniques and process required to produce a theatrical text for an audience. By offering a contextual and historical grounding of chosen playwrights, students will be introduced to key theories of contemporary theatre making. Through dramaturgical research and intensive practice, students will explore the ideological, cultural and social concerns of contemporary theatre. This study will culminate in the production of a public performance.
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ACT505 Training for Actors 2: Embodying Text
This module furthers the study of expressive vocal and movement skills necessary for the successful interpretation of dramatic and more broadly `performative¿ material. Through workshop study, the student will continue the exploration of the physical and mental processes embedded in core acting training techniques, exercises and traditions.
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ACT506 Acting for Recorded Media
This module trains students to work professionally in mediatised/recorded settings. Students learn techniques appropriate to the preparation and performance of non-theatrical formats (such as audio drama) through text-based analysis, narrative and dramatic theory and genre-specific acting techniques.
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ACT510 Page to Stage 3: Beyond the System
This module complements and builds on the work done in Page to Stage 1 & 2 by teaching students how to play their character alongside other characters, and actors on stage. This module introduces scene performance (and not just monologue) and teaches students methods and approaches to `reacting¿. Students will be able to apply the skills and techniques acquired through Page to Stage 1 & 2 in this module, and will learn how to apply these skills when working alongside other actors in the presentation of fully realised scenes and plays.
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PLYCO522 Theatre Residency
This module addresses collaborative and interdisciplinary practice. It is a practical and studio-based module that emphasises the development and presentation of student-led work and collaboration across year groups.
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PLYCO523 Performance Practices
This module encourages students to find their creative voice through the exploration and application of a specific performance practice. Students will develop and practically interrogate the skills and understandings that establish specific forms of contemporary performance practice as both skilled activities and culturally significant artistic statements.
- Final Year
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In your final year, you’ll focus on refining the skills and knowledge of your craft. A strong focus on professional development and employability in the competitive theatre industry will prepare you for a lifelong career.
Core modules
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ACT600 Acting Rediscovered
The module fosters deep understanding and practical knowledge of a form/approach to performance training. Through expert-lead practice, students will experiment with techniques, strategies and approaches to training that will help them to develop and deepen their understanding of skills germane to a specific style.
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ACT601 Making Theatre 2
Students will audition for a role in a professional level production directed by an experienced theatre-maker. Students will develop their skills in character development, textual analysis, and identification of key performance making principles, in order to explore the implications of this research through the collaborative production of a public performance. All students must be involved in the process, and all students will perform in the final production.
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ACT603 Training for Actors 4
This module will allow students to specialise in a number of expressive vocal and movement techniques necessary for the successful interpretation of a specific theatrical genre/style. The module will also prepare students to develop a number of skills essential to boost their employability.
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PLYCO610 Performance Research
Students will plan and conduct a research enquiry relevant to the application, practice and study of performance (including acting, dance, theatre, live art, and cross-form practices). Through lectures, workshops and tutorial guidance, students develop appropriate ways of collecting, analysing, documenting and organising material to present and evidence their research process and findings. Projects can be articulated in one of three ways; lecture demo, practice as research or dissertation.
Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.
The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:
BA Hons Acting with Foundation Programme Specification 2020 21 6713
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
