ACP109 - Improvisation for Theatre

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year:

2023 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne)

Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne)

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Luigi Vescio
Trimester 3: Luigi Vescio
Cohort rule:Nil
Prerequisite:

 Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

Scheduled learning activities - campus:

Trimester 1: 1 x 3-hour seminar per week

Trimester 3: Intensive seminar over 5 consecutive days in week 1 and week 2
Monday - Thursday 9.00am-12.30pm
Friday 9:00am-12:00pm

Note:

*CBD refers to the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute; Community Based Delivery

Content

This practical workshop-based unit offers an introduction to improvisation in drama and performance. Through exploration of the working methods of notable practitioners in the field, the unit considers contemporary and historical perspectives on the various ways that improvisation is employed in drama and performance practice, such as a means to prepare actors for work on scripts, to experiment with and generate original performance material, to resolve performance problems, to interact with audience in immersive and interactive performance contexts, or as a mode of performance in itself. The unit content is responsive with a strong emphasis on individual skill development and will include things like the development of personal concentration, the release of imagination, spontaneity and freedom, adaptation and flexibility, playfulness, sensibility in non-verbal communication, and role-play.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Explore and apply a range of structures and techniques within improvisation

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

GLO7: Teamwork

ULO2

Demonstrate, consolidate and integrate emerging improvisation skills in studio and performance

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

GLO4: Critical thinking

GLO7: Teamwork

ULO3

Apply, document and reflect on historical perspectives in the practice of improvisation in drama and performance

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4

Critically reflect upon your development as a professional practitioner, individually and as an ensemble member, in the creative arts sector taking into consideration the knowledge, skills and abilities you’ve acquired and those you still wish to acquire

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1 (Group) - Workshop practice and Reflective Log 1600 words
or equivalent
40% Week 3
Assessment 2 - Online Presentation 1600 words
or equivalent
40% Week 12
Assessment 3 (Individual and Group) - Improvised Performance 800 words
or equivalent
20% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via ACP109 
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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