Case Study 20. – Critical Arts Practice (Devising), Dartington College of Arts
 

Name of module/ course:	Critical Arts Practice (Devising)
Programme:	BA Performing Arts
Institution:	Dartington College of Arts, Theatre
Level:	2
Typical number of students:	12

Elements addressed by study
 

Theme	Key Aspects	ü if addressed
Developing effective group behaviour	Group formation	ü
	Training	ü
	Monitoring	ü
	Discipline issues eg attendance
Assessing behaviours & processes within groups	Assessing
	preparation	ü
	operation	ü
	reflection	ü
	Assessment procedures	ü
Assessing group products	Assessing
	whole groups	ü
	individuals within groups	ü
	Assessment procedures	ü

1.Special Features:

Students are required to take both modules in a move from large company practice through to small group devised performance. Through the writing of individual manifestos, or statements of intent, they negotiate membership of small groups to design their own project proposals through to production. Students keep journals tracing process and related dramaturgical study allied to an accompanying lecture series. They also produce a written paper based upon viewing of live contemporary performances. This module forms part of the minimum requirements for the award BA (Hons) Theatre.

Description of Key Aspects:

An important learning outcome for a Stage One theatre student is the ability to demonstrate an understanding of the processes of adaptation of text and textural material for performance through staff directed workshops and projects. This stage 2 double module enables a student to develop this work further with a greater emphasis on the processes of research and on directing and choreographic methodology within collaborative theatre making. A ‘theatre laboratory’ format encourages experimentation and critical evaluation of this process within a supportive framework.Theatre performances arising from this process are studio based and before an invited audience, thus enabling a more controlled and detailed evaluation of the work.

The outcomes of this module provide a particular preparation for future modules when the student’s theatre making work is located in a variety of performance venues and before a range of audiences.The opportunity for students to generate their own work under staff supervision is a preparation for the Stage Three Critical Arts Practice module(s).The grouping of students in ‘companies’ with staff managing and at times directing these companies is a development from Stage 1.It provides an opportunity for students to understand and work with the dynamics of a theatre company in preparation for forming their own theatre company as part of Stage Three Critical Arts Practice.

The theoretical strand within this module is based on the pedagogic and professional practice of Dramaturgy.This is an independent and collaborative practice that examines the motivation of theatre practitioners within a modern and post modern performance context.

Outcomes include:

·a piece of performance work under staff direction

·a collaboration with other students on a short theatre piece using devising and adapting composition processes

·a written paper on a theatre research topic

·documentation which reflects a process of research documentation and the documentation of process and product

Analysis:

By the end of the module a student will:

have demonstrated that they have acquired an understanding of:

·the particular nature of theatre research or dramaturgy and its relationship to contemporary practice

·the importance of the ‘manifesto’ as a means of articulating a theatre polemic

·the value to theatre making of a wider research framework which considers other twentieth century arts practices, the work a number of philosophers, psychologists and contemporary cultural theorists

·the role that group dynamics play in the work of a collaborative theatre company

have displayed through work:

·a development of their performance skills

·an ability to generate live theatre performance imagery from a wide range of texts (texts here to mean not just a written text but a range of visual and textural materials and material from other media)

·an ability to collaborate in small groups on making theatre using clearly defined directing strategies

·an ability to engage an audience both in an informal theatre laboratory session and a performance before an invited audience

·engagement in critical debate about theatre practice and research

Evaluation:

Assessment is carried out through a number of intersections that are intrinsic to the processes of devising and to the formation and dynamic of group work. Whilst such group and peer assessment is an integral aspect of the module it is carried out informally by the students in tracing the development of the work. The ongoing assessment of individuals practical work is governed by application and contribution to ideas and action and articulated further through documentation and a written research paper. The “theatre laboratories” provide platforms for discussion and critical analysis across the whole year group whilst individual and group tutorials provide opportunities for closer readings of progress.

The group viva provides the opportunity for individuals to demonstrate their understanding of the processes of devised theatre-making whilst evidencing their own contribution to such processes.

It might be argued that a more formal approach should be taken in establishing peer and self-assessment, if only as developmental practice in preparation for Stage 3 and beyond.