2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL32820 Designing for the Stage

20 creditsClass Size: 10

School of English

Module manager: Mr Tim Skelly
Email: t.p.skelly@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

Please note: This module is restricted to Level 2 and 3 students.

Some prior experience in the area of theatrical space design is desirable.

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

How does theatre communicate ideas to an audience beyond the spoken word? This module will offer an introduction to four key areas of theatre design and their function within theatrical performance. The areas of staging, costume, lighting and sound will be explored as design subjects through a series of practical experiments and exercises. Alongside this programme of workshops will be a clear exploration of the processes and planning structures that can be found today in professional practice.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students will be able to: i) design, rig and operate lighting equipment; ii) have the ability to design, record and operate the sound requirements of a theatre production; iii) use stage equipment, have an understanding of stage management functions; iv) have an understanding of stage management roles and processes; v) be aware of the history and developmental aspects of the aforementioned procedures.

Learning outcomes
Students will have developed:
the ability to use written and oral communication effectively;
the capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse;
the ability to manage quantities of complex information in a structured and systematic way;
the capacity for independent thought and judgement;
critical reasoning;
research skills, including the retrieval of information, the organisation of material and the evaluation of its importance;
IT skills;
efficient time management and organisation skills;
the ability to learn independently.

Skills outcomes
Skills for effective communication, oral and written.
Capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse.
Ability to acquire quantities of complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way.
Capacity for independent thought and judgement.
Critical reasoning.
Research skills, including information retrieval skills, the organisation of material, and the evaluation of its importance.
IT skills.
Time management and organisational skills.
Independent learning.

Syllabus

This module will develop students knowledge of stage design for the theatre, disclosing the necessary technical and aesthetic skills to successfully contribute to the process of making theatre. Competence in planning, creatively developing and realising designs will be learnt, conforming to good professional practice. Students will study light and sound for theatre, from both a practical and a theoretical perspective, developing procedures for design. There will also be a focus on broader technical theatre concerns and roles, including the use of stage equipment, stage and technical management, properties and costume and scenic artistry. Although the main thrust of the work will be practical and will involve the acquisition of appropriate skills, this will also be supported with relevant theory wherever possible. The course will be taught through a variety of practical classes, seminars and workshop demonstrations over the eleven week period. Assessment will be made through a technical assignment to a workshop theatre production and a research exercise.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practical	10	3.00	30.00
Seminar	6	1.50	9.00
Private study hours			161.00
Total Contact hours			39.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Seminar preparation, reading, preparation for assignments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Contribution to seminars.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Technical theatre assignment and critical evaluation	50.00
Project	Research project	30.00
Tutorial Performance	Seminar contribution	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 24/04/2008

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