University of Essex

TH143-4-AU-CO:
Devising

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Autumn

Level: Undergraduate: Level 4

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 15 December 2023

Credits: 15

Last updated: 28 March 2022

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

BA W401 Drama,
BA W402 Drama (Including Year Abroad),
BA W403 Drama (Including Placement Year),
BA W408 Drama (Including Foundation Year),
BA QW24 Drama and Literature,
BA QW25 Drama and Literature (Including Placement Year),
BA WQ28 Drama and Literature (Including Foundation Year),
BA WQ42 Drama and Literature (Including Year Abroad),
BA P400 Film and Drama,
BA P401 Film and Drama (Including Year Abroad),
BA P402 Film and Drama (Including Placement Year),
BA P403 Film and Drama (Including Foundation Year),
MLITQ394 Drama and Scriptwriting

Module description

This module introduces students to the processes involved in using devising methodologies to evolve different kinds of performance texts. The module will form the foundations for understanding how plays work three-dimensionally (the journey from page to stage) and expand the boundaries of what resources theatre-makers might draw upon as a trigger to originate live performance.

Module aims

The aims of the module are:

1. To develop a knowledge of a range of creative and critical methods and approaches to contemporary performance-making.
2. To cultivate an ability to engage critically and develop work creatively in a range of theatre and performance modes and forms.
3. To gain understanding of the relationships between process and product in performance work.
4. To gain detailed understanding of one or more areas of contemporary theatre practice.
5. To develop organisational, improvisational, workshop and group skills.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will have had opportunities to gain:

1. an ability to appreciate, engage critically, and develop work creatively, in a variety of theatre and performance modes, forms, and genres.
2. an understanding of processes by which performances are created.
3. experience of engaging in performance-making, based on an acquisition and understanding of appropriate creative vocabularies, skills, structures, and working methods.
4. the ability to work collaboratively, sharing responsibility, delegating, and where appropriate leading teams.
5. skills in project management.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

Through practical workshops students will have the opportunity to test a variety of devising and rehearsal methods used by actors, directors, companies and performing artists.

Bibliography

Govan, E., Nicholson, H. and Normington, K. (2007b) Making a performance: devising histories and contemporary practices. London: Routledge. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9780203946954.
Murakami, H. (2003) The elephant vanishes. London: Vintage.
Alexander, C. (2010) ‘Complicité: The Elephant Vanishes (2003/4) – "The elephant and keeper have vanished completely... They will never be coming back”’, in Making Contemporary Theatre: International Rehearsal Processes. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Pearson, M. (2010) Site-Specific Performance. Macmillan Education UK. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/15910.
Birch, A. and Tompkins, J. (eds) (2012) Performing site-specific theatre: politics, place, practice. Basingstoke: Palgrve Macmillan. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9781137283498.
James Frieze (ed.) (2017) Reframing immersive theatre: the politics and pragmatics of participatory performance. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1250090.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Formative: Group seminar presentation (20mins.) During class time - week 7	0%
Coursework	Reflection	45%
Coursework	Reflection - REASSESSMENT WITHOUT ATTENDANCE
Practical	Participation	5%
Practical	Performance During class time - week 10	50%
Practical	Performance - REASSESSMENT WITHOUT ATTENDANCE

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Liam Jarvis, email: ljarvis@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Dr Liam Jarvis

Contact details: LiFTS General Office - email liftstt@essex.ac.uk. Telephone 01206 872626

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Christina Papagiannouli

Institution: University of South Wales

Academic role: Research Fellow

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 21 hours, 21 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies

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Module Directory

TH143-4-AU-CO:Devising