School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Acting for the Stage
  • Unit Code

    ACT3006
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit refines the skills of the actor to a professional working standard on challenging plays of different genres and styles. Actors sustain roles in major theatrical productions for audiences during a short season. These plays may be reviewed by the press and seen by visiting Casting Directors, Agents and Artistic Directors of main stage companies. Actors must show stamina and creative resourcefulness in their management of a skilful rehearsal process, the technical week and the performance season. Reflection and analysis is also expected in this unit.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply a refined process for exploring character and the rich and subtle details offered through text analysis.
  2. Apply a rigorous method to rehearsal and performance.
  3. Demonstrate an ability to imagine and communicate actions and stakes through the imagery and structure of heightened text.
  4. Incorporate design (set, costume, sound and lights) into an accomplished performance and handle deftly the set, props and the demands of the show.
  5. Prepare thoroughly for a first read, traditionally day one of a rehearsal.
  6. Work with a generous collaborative process within the company.

Unit Content

  1. Communication with other creatives working on a show.
  2. Critical reflection and peer review.
  3. Performance season.
  4. Preparing for a First Read.
  5. Rehearsal processes.
  6. Specialist skills (may include research on accents, period, style, skills required in the next production).
  7. Technical week skills.
  8. Written analysis.

Additional Learning Experience Information

To develop acting skills in larger theatre environments and to explore acting work off campus in an authentic setting, Peer observations, guest speakers, masterclasses and rehearsals with visiting professional directors will occur, Students will further evolve their acting techniques through public performance activities, formal classroom and one-on-one tutorials.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for performance and/or practical based units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
PerformancePerformance 1
PerformancePerformance 2
Creative WorkRehearsal process (assessed on both shows)
ExerciseWritten account of the preparation for the first reading for a play
Reflective PracticeOral self assessment

Text References

  • Mamet, D. (1997). True and false: Heresy and common sense for the actor. NY: Faber and Faber Ltd.
  • Bruder, M., Cohn, L., Oinek, M., Pollack, N., Previto, R., & Zigler, S. (1986). A practical handbook for the actor. (1st ed.). New York: Vintage Books.
  • Chubbuck, I. (2005). The power of the actor. Sydney: Currency Press.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ACT3006|2|1

School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Acting for the Stage
  • Unit Code

    ACT3006
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit refines the skills of the actor to a professional working standard on challenging plays of different genres and styles. Actors sustain roles in major theatrical productions for audiences during a short season. These plays may be reviewed by the press and seen by visiting Casting Directors, Agents and Artistic Directors of main stage companies. Actors must show stamina and creative resourcefulness in their management of a skilful rehearsal process, the technical week and the performance season. Reflection and analysis is also expected in this unit.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply a refined process for exploring character and the rich and subtle details offered through text analysis.
  2. Apply a rigorous method to rehearsal and performance.
  3. Demonstrate an ability to imagine and communicate actions and stakes through the imagery and structure of heightened text.
  4. Incorporate design (set, costume, sound and lights) into an accomplished performance and handle deftly the set, props and the demands of the show.
  5. Prepare thoroughly for a first read, traditionally day one of a rehearsal.
  6. Work with a generous collaborative process within the company.

Unit Content

  1. Communication with other creatives working on a show.
  2. Critical reflection and peer review.
  3. Performance season.
  4. Preparing for a First Read.
  5. Rehearsal processes.
  6. Specialist skills (may include research on accents, period, style, skills required in the next production).
  7. Technical week skills.
  8. Written analysis.

Additional Learning Experience Information

To develop acting skills in larger theatre environments and to explore acting work off campus in an authentic setting, Peer observations, guest speakers, masterclasses and rehearsals with visiting professional directors will occur, Students will further evolve their acting techniques through public performance activities, formal classroom and one-on-one tutorials.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for performance and/or practical based units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
PerformancePerformance 1
PerformancePerformance 2
Creative WorkRehearsal process (assessed on both shows)
ExerciseWritten account of the preparation for the first reading for a play
Reflective PracticeOral self assessment

Text References

  • Mamet, D. (1997). True and false: Heresy and common sense for the actor. NY: Faber and Faber Ltd.
  • Bruder, M., Cohn, L., Oinek, M., Pollack, N., Previto, R., & Zigler, S. (1986). A practical handbook for the actor. (1st ed.). New York: Vintage Books.
  • Chubbuck, I. (2005). The power of the actor. Sydney: Currency Press.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ACT3006|2|2