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

    Use a range of acting techniques in performance
  • Unit Code

    CUAACT411
  • Year

    2024
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Nominal Hours

    45
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Damian FOLEY

Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use acting skills to portray characters in theatrical contexts. This involves practising improvisation and characterisation skills and applying them in a theatrical performance. The unit applies to those who are singers, dancers, actors, comedians and other performers, who use a range of acting skills in their performances. They perform in commercial, community and open space settings as members of an ensemble, in solo roles, or in one-person shows. At this level, performers are refining their techniques through practice, and while some supervision and guidance may be present in practice, a high level of motivation and responsibility are expected in live performances. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Equivalent Rule

Supersedes and is equivalent to CUAACT401

Elements

  • 1. Prepare for acting performance
  • 2. Apply improvisation skills
  • 3. Interpret and build character for performance
  • 4. Perform character in theatrical context
  • 5. Evaluate performance

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 1Not Offered3 x 4.5 hour practical classNot Offered
Semester 1Not Offered8 x 3 hour workshopNot Offered
Term 3Not Offered7 x 3 hour workshopNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to: perform at least two different character roles on separate occasions, demonstrating the use of acting and vocal techniques. In the course of the above, the candidate must: demonstrate the use of improvisation skills demonstrate use of make-up, hairstyles, costumes and props as required create a convincing character work collaboratively with other performers and required personnel during rehearsals and performance analyse and interpret texts for performance.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of: historical, social and cultural significance of drama and theatre historical and contemporary playwrights and their texts health and safety requirements associated with acting performance stage and acting terminology key elements of performance in the context of acting principles of group dynamics in the context of acting in performance key acting principles and techniques effect of different vocal techniques on audiences common theatre conventions relationship between performers and audiences strategies to respond to self-evaluation and feedback to improve acting and performance skills key factors impacting performers and performances, including: kinaesthetic awareness aspects of stagecraft make-up, hairstyles, costumes and props.

Assessment

Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry. This includes access to: rehearsal and performance venues, such as studios, theatre spaces and outdoor settings resources and equipment required to demonstrate the performance evidence interaction with others required to demonstrate the performance evidence. Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Assessment

GS5 VET GRADING SCHEMA Used for WAAPA VET only

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 School Progression Panel.


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.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

CUAACT411|1|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

    Use acting techniques in performance
  • Unit Code

    CUAACT411
  • Year

    2024
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Nominal Hours

    45
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Damian FOLEY

Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use acting skills to portray characters in theatrical contexts. This involves practising improvisation and characterisation skills and applying them in a theatrical performance. The unit applies to those who are singers, dancers, actors, comedians and other performers, who use a range of acting skills in their performances. They perform in commercial, community and open space settings as members of an ensemble, in solo roles, or in one-person shows. At this level, performers are refining their techniques through practice, and while some supervision and guidance may be present in practice, a high level of motivation and responsibility are expected in live performances. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Equivalent Rule

Supersedes and is equivalent to CUAACT401

Elements

  • 1. Prepare for acting performance
  • 2. Apply improvisation skills
  • 3. Interpret and build character for performance
  • 4. Perform character in theatrical context
  • 5. Evaluate performance

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 1Not Offered3 x 4.5 hour practical classNot Offered
Semester 1Not Offered8 x 3 hour workshopNot Offered
Term 3Not Offered7 x 3 hour workshopNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to: perform at least two different character roles on separate occasions, demonstrating the use of acting and vocal techniques. In the course of the above, the candidate must: demonstrate the use of improvisation skills demonstrate use of make-up, hairstyles, costumes and props as required create a convincing character work collaboratively with other performers and required personnel during rehearsals and performance analyse and interpret texts for performance.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of: historical, social and cultural significance of drama and theatre historical and contemporary playwrights and their texts health and safety requirements associated with acting performance stage and acting terminology key elements of performance in the context of acting principles of group dynamics in the context of acting in performance key acting principles and techniques effect of different vocal techniques on audiences common theatre conventions relationship between performers and audiences strategies to respond to self-evaluation and feedback to improve acting and performance skills key factors impacting performers and performances, including: kinaesthetic awareness aspects of stagecraft make-up, hairstyles, costumes and props.

Assessment

Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry. This includes access to: rehearsal and performance venues, such as studios, theatre spaces and outdoor settings resources and equipment required to demonstrate the performance evidence interaction with others required to demonstrate the performance evidence. Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Assessment

GS5 VET GRADING SCHEMA Used for WAAPA VET only

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 School Progression Panel.


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.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

CUAACT411|1|2