TH207-5-AU-CO:
Technical Theatre Arts
2023/24
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
16 January 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module will explore the essential collaborative nature central to the creation and design of technical theatre arts and theatre. You will examine the design principle, its concept, interpretation and application through the forms and disciplines of lighting, sound, set and stage management technical practice.
The module will give you an appreciation for design by exploring the principles and aesthetics and broaden your perspective through an exploration of the historical and modern context of technical theatre in the UK.
You will encounter three strands of delivery. Consideration and exploration of design principles, theory and application. This will include investigation of a range of art forms such as painting, sculpture, music, and poetry as well as various practitioners and artists. You will gain additional practical skills and knowledge through active, experiential practice within the disciplines of lighting, sound, stage management and set. You will produce and present an independent project response to the concepts and materials examined and explored throughout the module, to take the form of an installation or technical presentation.
This module aims to develop you as a designer with a grounding in performance practice as a creative, aesthetic and communicative process. It will give you appropriate artistic, technical and organisation skills for theatre design, enabling you to contribute effectively, responsively with innovation. It will develop your critical and analytical skills as well as an increase your understanding of cultural, social, ethical, political, historical and theoretical contexts.
After successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of theatre design within specific historical, current and emerging performance traditions, processes and practices
2. Articulate and apply cultural, creative and aesthetic design values and principles to a range of performance practice.
3. Select, develop, apply and deliver appropriate artistic and creative strategies, techniques, process’ and technologies in response to an interpreted, given brief.
4. Reflect, analyse, evaluate and adapt your contribution in response to the needs and changes of the creative process in a variety of performance contexts.
Content
1 Introduction to framework of module
Consideration and reflection on the collaborative nature of design.
Theatre Arts Process and Management
2 Exploring the elements of design, interpretation and visual omposition
3 Examining perspective of architecture and historical context
4 Perspective and context of style, modern, environmental, venue
5 Considering colour
6 Considering texture
7 Considering light
8 Practical Seminars
9 Practical Seminars
10 Practical Seminars
11 Installation
12 Production
13 Assessment
The module will be taught via weekly three-hour sessions with a combination of workshops, practical exercises, seminars and reflective discourse.
Students will be expected to actively contribute via research, creation and presentation of material on a weekly basis for group consideration, discussion and reflection in session time. This will be evidenced by a Reflective Portfolio.
Students will also undertake a practical, self-directed project at the end of this module as a response to the materials encountered. The student will need to prepare additional materials independent of the delivered sessions to successfully achieve the practical presentation. The final stages of this will be supported by the practical seminars. The Reflective Project Portfolio will document, and evidence all stages of this practical project.
Information about the module will be provided on Moodle.
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 |
| Coursework |
Reflective Project Portfolio |
|
45% |
| Practical |
Participation |
|
5% |
| Practical |
Practical Presentation (In class - week 11) |
|
50% |
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 Liam Jarvis, email: ljarvis@essex.ac.uk.
Harry Harris
LiFTS General Office, email liftstt@esex.ac.uk
Telephone 01206- 872626
No
No
Yes
Dr Christina Papagiannouli
University of South Wales
Research Fellow
Available via Moodle
Of 45 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
45 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.