PERF 3003A - Stagecraft 3 part 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

The development of physical skills, knowledge and understanding of acting and stagecraft techniques as relevant to music drama. Particular emphasis is placed on presentation, teamwork and communication with an audience.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PERF 3003A
    Course Stagecraft 3 part 1
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites PERF 2003B
    Restrictions Available to Bachelor of Music students only
    Course Description The development of physical skills, knowledge and understanding of acting and stagecraft techniques as relevant to music drama. Particular emphasis is placed on presentation, teamwork and communication with an audience.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Guila Tiver

    Coordinator’s Name:
    Associate Professor Carl Crossin (Head of Vocal, Choral & Conducting Studies)
    Room 918 - Level 9, Schulz Building
    Phone: 8313 5924
    email: carl.crossin@adelaide.edu.au

    Additional staff:

    Tuesday Workshop (5-7pm):
    Catherine Campbell (Semester 1)
    Richard Chew (Semester 2)

    Locations:

    Tues. Workshop: Schulz 1003 Studio


    Contact emails:
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The objectives of this course are to:

    1. Increase knowledge and understanding of acting and stagecraft techniques as relevant to spoken/music drama.
    2. Develop the ability to effectively analyse a text in order to understand its background and context, as well as the emotional content and psychological motivation behind it, so as to inform characterisation and interpretation.
    3. Develop skills in vocal projection and clarity, as well as the use of tonal qualities and inflection to colour and add meaning to the interpretation of both spoken and sung texts.
    4. Develop skills in the use of facial expression and body language to enhance vocal performance and communication with an audience.
    5. Develop an understanding of the importance of teamwork and a sensitivity to the performances of colleagues with whom one shares the stage/platform, in order to build effective working relationships and enhance dramatic intensity.
    6. Develop physical/basic dance skills and body awareness.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2,3,4,6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3,4,5
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1,2,3,4,5,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Students will find the appropriate resources as needed in either the Barr Smith or Elder Music Libraries.
    Recommended Resources
    For the both the workshop and theatre movement/dance class appropriately comfortable clothing is recommended.
    Online Learning
    Where appropriate, information will be posted on MyUni for student access.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Stagecraft Workshop: Reading and analysis of text, discussion and rehearsal, leading to a final performance.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Stagecraft Workshop:
    In addition to the required contact hours, students are expected to commit time to background research and to memorise all material assigned by the lecturer as required. Careful, consistent and regular practice is assumed in order to reinforce and consolidate progress made prior to the next session. Additional out-of-class rehearsal time with ensemble-work colleagues may be necessary.
    Learning Activities Summary

    Stagecraft Workshop:
    Students must keep a weekly logbook, recording their insights learnt from each weekly class.

    Theatre Movement:
    Progressive development of dance/movement skills.
    Specific Course Requirements

    REQUIREMENTS
    In this course, penalties apply for any absences which are not formally approved, as outlined in the Conservatorium’s Student Participation and Attendance Leave Guidelines (see following). Leave Application forms are available from the Music Office and can be downloaded from the Music website – see http://music.adelaide.edu.au/study/current/leave.pdf. Student Participation and Attendance Leave Guidelines

    EXPECTATION
    All students enrolled in courses taught by the Elder Conservatorium of Music are expected to actively and positively participate in 100% of required rehearsals, workshops, classes, lectures, tutorials and performances. In courses where Participation & Attendance penalties apply (as defined in the Course Outline), any student who misses more than 40% of required classes will be ineligible for assessment in that course, irrespective of the amount of leave that has been formally approved. LEAVE
    The Conservatorium recognises that extenuating circumstances may occasionally affect a student’s ability to participate in a rehearsal, workshop, class, lecture, tutorial or performance. In such cases Leave may, upon application using this Leave form, be approved by the relevant staff member (this could be the Head of Studies, teacher, conductor, lecturer or course coordinator as appropriate). The following types of Leave are applicable:

    1. Sick Leave 
    In cases of sickness, the Leave form must be submitted within 7 days of your return to classes. Students must make every effort to notify the relevant staff member of an impending absence for reasons of sickness. Where a rehearsal or performance is involved, Leave will only be approved if the relevant staff member is notified before the event.
    Normally, an original medical certificate must be supplied with the Leave form to verify the circumstances. The relevant staff member or Head of Studies in cases of absences involving multiple activities or days may waive the requirement to produce a medical certificate if they have clear evidence of illness and believe that a medical certificate is unnecessary or impossible to obtain.. The Leave form will need to be initialled as part of the notification or approval process in this case.

    2. Compassionate Leave
    Compassionate Leave may be granted at the discretion of the relevant staff member where extenuating circumstances have prevented a student participating in a rehearsal, workshop, class, lecture, tutorial or performance. Usually this means circumstances which were unforeseen and legitimately beyond anyone’s control, however this will not always be the case.
    Where the circumstance is known in advance, approval for the Leave must also be obtained prior to the event.
    In cases such as bereavement or where care of a close family member is required, notification as soon as possible is expected and the form must be submitted within 7 days of your return to classes. Verification of the circumstances will usually be required.

    3. Professional Development Leave
    Professional Development (PD) Leave may be granted in cases where the student has made a case to the relevant Head of Studies for an activity which they believe will be of considerable professional and educational benefit. This activity should:
    be directly related to Coursework within your Conservatorium program or
    involve Coursework or study at a major tertiary national or international music institution or
    involve Performance, Workshops or other relationships and activities with a high profile, national or international artist(s) 
    When determining PD leave, the duration of the project also affects approval, particularly for absences greater than one week.  PD leave will not be granted if the proposed activity conflicts with any commitments a student has to a Conservatorium performance where their attendance at rehearsals and the performance itself are a required part of their studies.
    PD Leave is only granted in advance of the activity (normally at least 7 days prior). It will NOT be granted retrospectively.
    Final arrangements for any professional development commitments must wait until formal approval has been granted by the Head of Studies and then all signatures of relevant staff members are obtained. Approval is not necessarily guaranteed.
    Verification will be required as part of the approval process and must be supplied with this

    LEAVE APPLICATIONS
    Leave applications must be completed, documentation attached (if required), signatures obtained, then submitted following the steps below.

    Step 1: NOTIFYING STAFF
    Notify the relevant staff member(s) and where appropriate, Head of Studies, of your absence as soon as possible.
    Step 2:
    VERIFYING ABSENCE Check with the relevant staff member or Head of Studies to see whether verification or proof will be required. (Please note that this is usually essential however it will not always be necessary.)
    Step 3:
    COMPLETING FORM Complete the form then sign and date it.
    Step 4:
    OBTAINING APPROVAL Obtain the necessary signatures for formal notification and if necessary, approval from the relevant staff member(s) or Head of Studies concerned. Please note individual instructions listed in various leave types above, particularly for Professional Development Leave where prior approval is needed.
    Step 5:
    COPYING FORM Copy the form for your records.
    Step 6:
    ATTACHING & SUBMITTING FORM Attach any certification you have been asked to provide then submit the form to the relevant staff member or Head of Studies.

    PENALTIES
    Penalties apply for any unapproved absences as follows:

    STAGECRAFT Workshop 
    Absence - 5 (five) marks for each unapproved absence
    Lateness – 2 (two) marks

    Any unapproved absences from the Stagecraft Workshop will result in a 5 (five) mark penalty for each unapproved absence. Any penalties will be applied to the final mark for the year - ie. after all other assessments have been completed and calculated.
    Arrival after the scheduled starting time or departure before the scheduled finishing time may, at the discretion of the relevant teacher or Head of Studies, be penalised.
    Failure to notify the relevant instrumental teacher at least 24 hours in advance of an impending absence or late arrival will also be regarded as an unapproved absence. This penalty may be waived if the teacher or Head of Studies is convinced that extenuating circumstances were the cause of the absence or lateness. In such cases it is the student’s responsibility to show that extenuating circumstances are applicable.

    Stagecraft Workshop: In addition to the required contact hours, students are expected to commit time to background research and to memorise all material assigned by the lecturer as required. Careful, consistent and regular practice is assumed in order to reinforce and consolidate progress made prior to the next session. Additional out-of-class rehearsal time with ensemble-work colleagues may be necessary.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment breakdown for Workshop:
    Weekly workshop logbook: 10%
    Rehearsals & performance assessment: 20%

    Assessment breakdown for Theatre Movement:
    Weekly movement exercises in class and end of semester assessment : 15%
    Assessment Detail
    Stagecraft Workshop:
    Students must keep a weekly logbook, recording their insights learnt from each weekly class. The due date for handing in the logbook is the last Friday in the semester. Logbook - 10%
    Workshop participation and performance assessment - 20%

    Theatre Movement:
    Assessment on weekly movement exercises and end of semester assessment -15%
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    NOG (No Grade Associated)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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