EA241-5-AP: APPLIED THEATRE SKILLS I: CONSULTING THE COMMUNITY

Year: 2011/12 Department: East 15 Acting School Essex credit: 30 ECTS credit: 15 Staff Supervisor: Teaching Staff: Contact details:

Ainslie Masterton Ainslie Masterton For further details please email amast

Module is taught during the following terms Autumn Module Description

Spring

Summer

In this compulsory second year module for FdA Community Theatre the students will begin to develop relationships with key local organisations and to explore the different influences and contexts that form the cultural landscape of communities. The module is project-based and encourages students to engage with their local communities in Southend, Loughton and the wider south east England region. They will gain experience of working with and for a range of people from the very young to very senior citizens, to create and present community theatre. Projects will draw on observation and narrative, exploring and referring to local histories and identities. Performances will take place in a range of environments such as on campus, in studios, care homes, public libraries or outdoors. Term One Reminiscence The first project in the module is designed to introduce students to the techniques of reminiscence with older people. Community consultation Principles of reminiscence Participant centred approach Interview techniques Working with elderly people Verbatim theatre techniques Researching oral history Devising theatre from memories Workshop Facilitation In this project students will develop their skills in facilitating drama based workshops with a group in the community. They will gain knowledge of and be able to apply techniques to engage participants in theatre-making. Theatre Games

Group dynamics Theatre of the oppressed Forum theatre Playback theatre Workshop preparation and planning Delivery of a series of workshops in the community Reflection and critical analysis of a series of drama workshops Term Two Theatre-In-Education (TIE) This project offers students an opportunity to write for theatre, in consultation with a group of school-aged children, to develop a play for a short tour of schools. Advanced processes of consultation Primary research Learning through theatre Advanced understanding of scene and performance structure Extended character research and development Considerations for small scale touring theatre Workshop development for use with scripted material Learning & Teaching Methods Small group practical classes, workshops, seminars, supervised rehearsals and performances Assessment 100 per cent Coursework Mark Coursework: Reminiscence Project Workshop Facilitation Project Theatre-In-Education Project