Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA 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

    Improvisation for Performance
  • Unit Code

    PAM3230
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

An introduction to acting skills with an emphasis on specific problem solving through imagination and improvisation. This unit looks at the art of improvisation as it relates to voice, body language, expression, dialogue and other modes of communication. It focuses upon the individual as well as creative improvisation in group situations. Students explore the communication and expression of narrative from the perspective of inhibition, emotional and social intelligence, ability to listen and communication on both physical and vocal levels. Classes explore various acting methods and techniques and are practically orientated in order to put theoretical concepts into practice.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Be able to play in the moment and develop a listening for fellow performers.
  2. Demonstrate an emotional and physical range of expression that is grounded in a committed understanding of themselves in the work.
  3. Enable the student to connect in the fullest possible way to their instincts and sense of theatrical intuition.
  4. Show an understanding and ability to use the language of improvisation to develop scenarios.
  5. Utilise the students inventiveness and creativity as an actor.

Unit Content

  1. Action and reaction.
  2. Breakdown of actor's inhibitions.
  3. Empathy.
  4. Endowment.
  5. Ensemble awareness.
  6. Exercises in spontaneity.
  7. Expression of thought and emotion.
  8. Listening skills.
  9. Story telling.
  10. Theatre games.
  11. Vocal and physical communication.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit is delivered through group sessions with students working in the space together. Students will also work in front of the group and the work evaluated.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework 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
TypeDescriptionValue
Creative WorkContinuous assessment against the objectives of the brief which will pay particular attention to:50%
ParticipationThe level and quality of the students participation50%

Text References

  • Barker, C. (1977). Theatre games. London: Methuen.
  • Spolin, V. (1987). Improvisation for the theatre. Illinois: Northwestern University Press.
  • Johnston, K., (1981), Improvisation in the theatre. London: Methuen.
  • Hodgson, J., & Richards, E. (1987). Improvisation. London: Methuen.

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.

PAM3230|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA 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

    Improvisation for Performance
  • Unit Code

    PAM3230
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

An introduction to acting skills with an emphasis on specific problem solving through imagination and improvisation. This unit looks at the art of improvisation as it relates to voice, body language, expression, dialogue and other modes of communication. It focuses upon the individual as well as creative improvisation in group situations. Students explore the communication and expression of narrative from the perspective of inhibition, emotional and social intelligence, ability to listen and communication on both physical and vocal levels. Classes explore various acting methods and techniques and are practically orientated in order to put theoretical concepts into practice.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Be able to play in the moment and develop a listening for fellow performers.
  2. Demonstrate an emotional and physical range of expression that is grounded in a committed understanding of themselves in the work.
  3. Enable the student to connect in the fullest possible way to their instincts and sense of theatrical intuition.
  4. Show an understanding and ability to use the language of improvisation to develop scenarios.
  5. Utilise the students inventiveness and creativity as an actor.

Unit Content

  1. Action and reaction.
  2. Breakdown of actor's inhibitions.
  3. Empathy.
  4. Endowment.
  5. Ensemble awareness.
  6. Exercises in spontaneity.
  7. Expression of thought and emotion.
  8. Listening skills.
  9. Story telling.
  10. Theatre games.
  11. Vocal and physical communication.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit is delivered through group sessions with students working in the space together. Students will also work in front of the group and the work evaluated.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework 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
TypeDescriptionValue
Creative WorkContinuous assessment against the objectives of the brief which will pay particular attention to:50%
ParticipationThe level and quality of the students participation50%

Text References

  • Spolin, V. (1987). Improvisation for the theatre. Illinois: Northwestern University Press.
  • Johnston, K., (1981), Improvisation in the theatre. London: Methuen.
  • Hodgson, J., & Richards, E. (1987). Improvisation. London: Methuen.
  • Barker, C. (1977). Theatre games. London: Methuen.

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.

PAM3230|1|2