KTB112 Drama: Theory and Performance
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| Unit code: | KTB112 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $996 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,356 |
| International unit fee | $4,668 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KTB112 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Caroline Heim | caroline.heim@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This foundational unit engages practically and theoretically with notions of contemporary performance practice, before inviting students to consider future evolutions of the form’s techniques and methodologies. Focussing on styles of performance that promote co-creation, interaction and participation, the unit teaches critical and creative theories and techniques needed to cultivate self-awareness, other-awareness, and greater socio-political awareness of performance practices. How these aspects influence style and form, constitute the central focus of the unit. A combination of exercises and opportunities to develop a performance persona in this unit encourages students to find comfort in the evolving modes and expressions of the form of contemporary dramatic styles.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply understanding of dramatic forms and styles.
- Identify, manipulate and exploit forms and practices of dramatic performance.
- Demonstrate an awareness of professional processes and protocols within the dramatic arts.
- Analyse and evaluate dramatic style.
Content
This unit combines an experiential approach to the study of live performance with a foundational grounding in its theory, and invites students to investigate the evolution of the form through its practice. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of interactive and inter-disciplinary performance practices, focusing particularly on how these are developing within the dramatic arts. Learning activities are designed to provide students with performance, ensemble and analytical tools that will assist their understanding of the principles of performance and enhance their ability to participate in and even lead higher-level performance activity.
Learning Approaches
The unit is delivered through a series of lectures and workshops. Lectures and a reading program will introduce you to concepts and approaches that will be discussed, explored, and applied in workshops through the practice and presentation of short performative activities. Performance-making is a cooperative activity, and you must be available to work in small teams outside normal class time, with sufficient flexibility to coordinate your availability with that of others in your group. Attendance at all classes, directed and autonomous sessions, is strongly recommended. Wherever diverse teaching and learning materials are utilised, the unit follows the First Peoples First principle. The unit also refers to the Australia Council's Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian performing arts where appropriate.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Throughout the unit, teaching staff will provide feedback to you which will inform all assessments items. Feedback in this unit is provided to you through comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets.
Assessment
Overview
There are three assessment items in this unit. The essay will provide you an opportunity to critically engage with the unit's theoretical content. Each of the performances will give you the opportunity to perform the skills that you have learnt in the workshops and synthesise these with the theoretical components from the lectures.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Performance
You will rehearse and perform a published performance piece.
Assessment: Performance
You will rehearse and perform a short scene
Assessment: Essay
You will research and answer question(s) in essay form related to the analysis and evaluation of dramatic style(s).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement)
For some students, this unit also may also require a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio.
Resources
Required Text
- Required reading will be available online through the unit's Canvas site.
Recommended References
- Other unit readings and reference material will also be available online.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information. For CIESJ Tiers 2 and 3 Health and Safety requirements, you will be instructed on safe procedures and the required safety gear for all studio and workshop processes that are demonstrated
As all performance-makers understand, creating a performance potentially carries with it certain physical and/or emotional risks, both in the rehearsal room and in the theatre. Indeed taking risks is an integral component of the art form’s processes. Some rehearsal warm ups and exercises, and some performance events may include physically or emotionally strenuous activities. Managing this risk to ensure working conditions are safe, is always a high priority in the production process. It is therefore extremely important that if you are aware of personal physical or emotional vulnerabilities that make you feel unsafe or at risk in any way, you should immediately inform your tutor or director or stage manager, so that your situation can be evaluated and appropriate rectifying action can be taken.
Theatres and other performance spaces are also potentially dangerous places, particularly backstage during performances when low light conditions prevail. You will be warned by the stage manager, the production manager or the director of any specific risks that you will need to be aware of, when your project team first moves into the theatre. Whenever moving into a new performance space, you should always conduct your own risk assessment, and notify your team or director of any hazards you have personally identified.
Every effort is made by Drama staff at QUT to ensure that you work in a safe environment. Conversely you are absolutely expected to follow all safety rules, procedures and directions, and to ensure that you do not put at risk the safety of others, or yourself, or of the highest artistic fulfilment of the project in any way.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts
- Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Performance, Performance, Essay - Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Performance, Performance, Essay - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO3, Performance, Performance - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2, Performance, Performance - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Performance, Performance - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, Performance, Performance - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
Relates to: ULO3, Performance, Performance - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO1, Performance, Performance - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO3, Performance, Performance - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Performance, Performance