Acting BA (Hons)

Voice and Movement 1 (Core)

Voice and movement are taught both in discrete classes which energise and focus students for the day ahead, and longer workshops which work in greater depth.

Voice

The module explores the potential of the voice as a means of expression and communication. Techniques are taught so that you acquire vocal confidence when speaking text and develop listening skills. There is a particular focus on posture, breath, resonance, tone and articulation.

Movement

The module starts with an exploration of human anatomy and progresses to a study of physical alignment, spatial awareness and creative movement. Systems of movement are studied (such as Lecoq and Laban) and there is an initial focus on core strength, conditioning and stamina.

Assessment: 100% practical

Acting 1: Methodologies (Core)

This is a module that focusses on imagination and improvisation, exploring a variety of acting methodologies.

These might include the theories and practice of Stanislavsky, Uta Hagen, Meyerhold, Mike Alfreds and LeCoq.

Object exercises, relationship improvs, active analysis and actioning might be considered.

You will be encouraged to develop systems of work by incorporating these various theories into your own personal methodology.

You will be assessed on your practical work in class.

Assessment: 100% practical

Performance 1: Skills (Core)

This is an introductory module which develops a common performance vocabulary.

The notion of performance is investigated at a basic level, including ideas about space, actor-audience relationship, proxemics, and communication skills through the use of body and voice.

Games and exercises reveal and develop the essential qualities necessary for training and performance: listening, playfulness, focus and awareness.

The fundamentals of voice are explored through a range of practitioners, and awareness of the body is developed through the work of Rudolf Laban.

You will be assessed practically on your progress through your work in class.

Assessment: 100% practical

Acting 2: Methodology to Text (Core)

This Semester 2 module focuses on the application of the methodologies explored in Acting 1 to a variety of dramatic texts, enabling you to examine scripts, build character and breathe life into the written word.

Starting with contemporary and 20th Century plays, you will be assessed on your performances in scene-study exercises.

You will be expected to learn and prepare texts outside of class time and be able to articulate your working processes in post-performance discussion. 

Assessment: 100% practical

Performance 2: Ensemble (Core)

With a focus on breath, complicity and collaboration, this Semester 2 module explores a variety of techniques of ensemble work.

Building on basic skills, which focuses on individual development, this module broadens listening, sensing and playing with other performers. You may work on a variety of techniques through the study of Greek theatre, Copeau, Lecoq and others. There is an investigation of patterns of movement and gesture whilst working towards the discovery of new forms of devised theatre.

This module also incorporates stage combat. You will learn a fight and will be examined in rapier, dagger and unarmed combat. This culminates in a Standard (Level 1) Qualification from the British Academy of Dramatic Combat.

You will be assessed practically through the creation of an ensemble piece.

Assessment: 100% practical

Contextual Studies 1: Acting in Theory and Practice (Core)

This module runs across both Semester 1 and 2, and is taught through weekly lecture-seminars that accompany your practical work.

The first half of this module (Semester 1) explores the acting theories explored in your Acting and Performance classes and might include the work of Stanislavsky, Meyerhold, Strasberg, Hagen, Meisner, Michael Chekhov, Grotowski, Barba, Boal, and Mamet.

The second half of the module (Semester 2) examines key stages in theatre history – epic theatre; the Greeks and European tradition (to support Mask and Ensemble); post-war British theatre; The Royal Court and The English Stage Company; theatre workshop; The National Theatre and the Old Vic, and London Theatre today; and the current theatre scene including trips to the Young Vic and The Bush.

Assessment: 6 x 500 word essays

Voice and Movement 2 (Core)

In Year 2, voice and movement progresses from the exploration of your own physical and vocal potential to using your body and voice in the transformation process to character. Specific skills and techniques are explored which might include choral singing, accents and dialects, period movement, Laban effort actions and animal studies.

Semester 1 is concerned with general skills acquisition. Semester 2 focuses on coaching in specific skills to accompany applied theatre productions, screen acting and voice over.

Assessment: 100% practical

Acting 3: Classical (Core)

This module applies the acting techniques explored throughout the first year to classical text. You will apply your imagination to more complex language, both verse and prose, and will explore the depth and possibilities of landmark plays.

A range of texts are studied including Shakespeare and his contemporaries, and restoration comedy. Wilde, Shaw, Ibsen and Chekhov may also be considered.

You will be assessed on your performance in a workshop production project, directed by a staff member or visiting director.

Assessment: 100% practical

Performance 3: Devising (Core)

A module concerned with creating new work through stage-writing and devising. Each week you will be introduced to the various methods of devising work as practised by contemporary theatre companies.

Classes will focus particularly on the construction of narrative, of working from character, of contracting meaning from movement and from image.

Scenographic and technical approaches will also be explored and there will be practice in improvisation and the research and sourcing of dramatic material.

Devising skills such as puppetry, music and clown will add to your skill set.

At the end of the module you will be expected, in groups, to present a rehearsed extract from a plan of a devised production.

Particular attention is given to collaborative methods of working and the development of group working skills.

Assessment: 100% practical

Acting 4: Acting for TV and Film (Core)

Acting for TV and Film is an intense five-week introduction to screen acting. It begins with an introduction to the medium and an explanation of how narratives are constructed. This is followed by classes on acting for camera techniques in which you will have the opportunity to practice, on camera, such skills as actors’ continuity, hitting marks, control of facial and body movements, emotions, volume, pace and size of performances in relation to shot sizes.

The module culminates in a series of mini-productions and performances.

Assessment: 100% practical

Performance 4: Applied Theatre (Core)

The module consists of two related projects, the Production Project and the Facilitation Project.

In the Production Project, you will be cast in a play which you rehearse for five weeks with a lecturer or visiting director to create an hour-long performance appropriate for a community audience.

In the Facilitation Project, you will be introduced to Theatre in the Community and facilitation practices before creating and running an educational workshop to accompany the Production Project.

You will be assessed on rehearsal and production, preparation and workshop delivery.

Assessment: 100% practical

Contextual Studies 2: Theatre History (Core)

This lecture-seminar module runs across both Semester 1 and 2 and illuminates the historical contexts of the second year practical modules.

Naturalism and Realism are considered as are Shakespeare, his craftsmanship and his legacy to support the practical work in the Classical Text module. Contemporary and avant-garde theatre are explored to support practical work in the Devising module.

Assessment: 1 x 3,000 word essay

Production (Core)

This is a production module which aims to enhance your individual performance and technical skills and to give you production experience at a professional level.

A number of student companies are formed and you will be cast in published plays or devised material and directed by a professional theatre director. You will be cast in these productions based on your progression in each of the strands in Levels 4 and 5, as well as through personal tutoring and mentoring.

You will be assigned to particular productions or projects which may be presented in a variety of venues as appropriate to the particular production. You are expected to conduct individual research in the production preparation stage of the project.

The performances you give are assessed in production by a team of assessors. There are also post-production viva voce examinations where you will be questioned on your research and production preparation, as well as your process. There is formative feedback at every stage of the production process.

Assessment: 90% performance, 10% viva voce

Contextual Studies 3: Professional Practice (Core)

This module takes place at the beginning of the third year and aims to equip you with the necessary experience and knowledge to help you enter the theatre profession or apply for postgraduate training.

There are a series of seminars and presentations on key topics like Spotlight, Equity, accountancy, budgeting, day jobs, representation, social media, finding auditions, and approaching casting directors for specific work.

You will build a personal website, write your CV, set out a business plan and target key contacts.

The module prepares you for the audition process. There are workshops with casting directors and agents which prepare you for auditioning and developing professional contacts. Visiting professionals will give you advice on career management and how to find work in the creative industries.

Assessment: 50% 3,000-word professional portfolio, 50% mock audition

Creative Thinking and Theatre-Making (Core)

This module teaches creativity by exploring various established techniques of creative thinking through the setting and solving of problems. Lectures will introduce selected theorists and their work in the field of creative thinking both in the arts and in commercial organizations.

Techniques might include random input, problem reversal, ask questions, applied imagination - question summary, lateral thinking, six thinking hats, the discontinuity principle, checklists, brainstorming, forced relationships and analogy, attribute listing, morphological analysis, imitation, mind mapping, storyboarding, synectics, metaphorical thinking, and fuzzy logic. At the close of each lecture, you will be invited to attempt to solve a problem in groups using these techniques.

In the latter half of the course these techniques will be applied to theatre projects. These projects might be writing briefs, design problems or organizational and company projects. The focus is on an overview of theatre-making rather than on devising skills.

Assessment: 50% group presentations, 50% individual portfolio

Finalists Productions (Core)

This is a production module which gives you the opportunity to put into practice the advanced skills developed in the Professional Practice module.

A number of student companies are formed and, working with a professional theatre director, you will devise, rehearse and showcase events. Performances take place at an appropriate London venue in front of an invited audience of agents and casting directors, as well as friends and family.

You will put into practise networking and self-promotional skills, developed as part of Professional Practice.

You will be assessed on your acting by a team of assessors.

Assessment: 100% practical

Acting for Screen and Radio (Core)

Acting for Screen and Radio extends performance skills acquired in second year in the context of recorded performance.

You will be taught how to audition for screen via self-tape, and will explore acting on set, and voice acting for animation, commercials and gaming.

The module culminates in bespoke showreels and voice reels to help you gain professional employment throughout your third year.

Assessment: 100% practical