TH144-4-SP-CO:
Voice and Movement: Core Skills
2023/24
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
ReassessmentOnly
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
10 May 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module will provide an introduction to performance training in the areas of voice and movement. Techniques will be taught that enable students to acquire vocal confidence when speaking text.
Focusing on the voice as a muscle, there will be particular emphasis on posture, breath, resonance, tone and articulation. These skills will be practically applied to classical and contemporary text, and students will be introduced to performing verse.
The module will also provide an introduction to movement in performance. The module will focus on physical alignment, the body in space, and creative movement, such as contemporary dance.
Movement practitioners and their systems (Laban, LeCoq) will be studied, as well as contemporary physical theatre companies (Frantic Assembly, Gecko). There will be an emphasis throughout the module on core strength, conditioning and stamina.
The aims of the module are:
1. To provide students with an introduction to the core techniques of performance training.
2. To encourage students to use practical approaches to text with confidence.
3. To enable students to develop an integrated approach to voice and movement.
By the end of the module, students will:
1. Have gained a sense of the core skills required for vocal performance.
2. Be able to apply vocal techniques to classical and contemporary texts.
3. Have developed an understanding of the key movement systems within performance training.
4. Acquired an understanding of application of movement in devising processes for contemporary physical theatre.
Week 1: Introduction to Vocal Training – Posture and Breath
Week 2: Vocal Training – Tone and Articulation
Week 3: Iambic Pentameter and Shakespeare's Sonnets – Voice and Meter
Week 4: Monologues - Voice and Verse
Week 5: The Alexander Technique – Physical Alignment, Core Strength, Conditioning
Week 6: Laban – The Body in Space
Week 7: Le Coq – Neutral Mask
Week 8: Viewpoints – Creative Movement
Week 9: Frantic Assembly – Devising with Movement
Week 10: Performance assessment – Solo Monologue or Small Group Movement Pieces.
Two-hour practical workshops.
Guest workshops by industry professionals as appropriate.
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Perkins, K.A.
et al. (eds) (2018)
The Routledge Companion to African American Theatre and Performance. London, UK: Routledge. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315191225#TANDF.
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Hodge, A. (2010)
Actor Training. 2nd edn. London, UK: Routledge. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=308088.
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Carey, D. and Carey, R.C. (2022)
The vocal arts workbook: a practical course for developing the expressive actor’s voice. 2nd ed. London, England: Bloomsbury Academic. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=6933590.
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Rodenburg, P. (2019)
The actor speaks: voice and the performer. 2nd edn. London, UK: Bloomsbury. Available at:
https://www-dramaonlinelibrary-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/encyclopedia?docid=b-9781350027152.
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Patsy Rodenburg (2023)
Speaking Shakespeare. 2nd edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=7264226.
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Murray, S. and Keefe, J. (2007)
Physical Theatres: A Critical Introduction. London, UK: Routledge. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=211962.
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Bogart, A. and Landau, T. (2014)
The viewpoints book: a practical guide to viewpoints and composition. London: Nick Hern Books. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=904659.
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Luckett, S. and Shaffer, T.M. (eds) (2016)
Black Acting Methods. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Available at:
http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781315694986.
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Bloom, K.
et al. (2018)
Laban Workbook for Actors: A Practical Training Guide with Video. London, UK: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama. Available at:
https://www-dramaonlinelibrary-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/encyclopedia?docid=b-9781474220705.
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 |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| 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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Elizabeth Bennett, email: elizabeth.bennett@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Elizabeth Bennett
LiFTS General Office, email liftstt@essex.ac.uk
Telephone 01206 872626
Yes
No
Yes
Dr Christina Papagiannouli
University of South Wales
Research Fellow
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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