Module Overview

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In order for the actor to develop the inner life, the emotional and sensory life of the character that the actor will eventually develop, he/she must first work on themselves, learning how to use ‘themselves’ as the material for their art. This involves exploring the basic elements that constitute an actor’s inner creative state, all of which act simultaneously and compliment each other, including work on relaxation, physical action and a belief in it, imagination, observation, concentration of attention, sense memory and sensory work, use of objectives and given circumstances. Along side a focus on collaboration and group/ensemble building, the emphasis for early acting exercises is working on your own and we gradually introduce the other person. A fundamental part of the early training is the actor’s work on self (for example focus and concentration, imagination, sense memory exercises and sensory responses to develop visceral awareness and experiences) as the actor explores ways to create truthful responses to fictitious stimuli and to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances. Improvisation is introduced through one and two person non-verbal improvisations (semester one) with a gradual introduction of dialogue and full group work (semester one and two). The actor works as him/her self, living under fictional circumstances, what ‘if I were. .’, using the imagination to develop ‘inner motives’ and justifications for actions carried out (using yourself as the material for your art).

Learning and teaching methods consist primarily of practice-based workshops. Students must read the list of books under the essential reading list for discussion and references to during the practical based workshops. Students are assigned ongoing practical based work, research and observations and written work outside of direct contact hours.

Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown	%
Other Assessment(s)	100