KTB225 Radical Theatre Forms


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KTB225
Credit points:12
Equivalent:KTB302, KTB204
Coordinator:David Megarrity | d.megarrity@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit develops an appreciation of theatre innovation in both historical and contemporary contexts. It addresses concepts attributed to postdramatic theatre, immersive theatre forms, theatre as a hypermedium, and audience-centred work. Throughout history theatre has responded to changes within society and has developed styles that have reinterpreted and reinvented the notions of character, tension, audience, site, time and narrative. One way to understand new and radical theatre styles is to investigate the historical and contemporary contexts that are shaping current theatrical practice. These practices give rise to theatre that is responsive to site, places the audience at the centre of the experience and engages with non-linear narrative form. Understanding this enables theatre-makers to develop informed choices about where to locate, describe and promote their practice and product. This unit explores forms that reinvent notions of audience, narrative, space and linear time.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Identify and critique concepts and practices that give rise to innovation in historical and contemporary theatre practices with an awareness of appropriate engagement of cultural and social differences.
  2. Formulate and communicate creative ideas anchored in a live experience that responds to notions of site, audience and transdisciplinary form.
  3. Apply knowledge and understanding related to current theatre practice through the effective use of academic and communication skills.

Content

This unit provides a broad overview of the both the theory and practices attributed to developments in theatre from the mid-twentieth century to current times. Throughout the unit you will encounter local, national and international theatre companies and practitioners who challenge dramatic theatre form to reinvent the purpose and delivery modes for audiences in the twenty-first century. Content in this unit will pivot around ideas related to postdramatic theatre, immersive theatre forms, theatre as a hypermedium or transdisciplinary medium and how audiences are being placed at the centre of both the creation and delivery of theatre product.

Learning Approaches

The unit features a series of key lectures, tutorials and discussions with analysis of theatre viewed live and online. The unit will engage a blended learning mode of teaching that will require you to work independently prior to coming to the live component of the unit. Key readings will support and extend your understandings gained in the lectures and discussions. On one occasion during the semester you will view a pre-determined live theatre performance that you will be required to pay for. This production will be critiqued and discussed within the framework of theory provided and will be the focus of an assessment item. At key points in the teaching program a focus on academic communications skills will support your written assessment program.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

  • a range of formative tasks and roles will be offered to facilitate progressive feedback to assist you in your learning
  • comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets, both for group work and individual endeavour
  • generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas
  • criteria sheet grading.

Assessment

Overview

There are 2 assessment items. In the first assignment, you will attend and then critique a nominated production. The second assignment is a research paper, using a key company or practitioner as the focus you will write a paper, that demonstrates appropriate application of the key learning and techniques encountered in the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Critique (oral)

For the first assessment you are asked to prepare and deliver an oral criticism of a predetermined theatre performance. This will be based upon evidence of key theories and techniques encountered throughout the unit. The criticism will also be related to the development of theatre forms that embrace structures and delivery modes that work in opposition to the dramatic.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Mid-Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3

Assessment: Research Paper

Using a selected company/practitioner as inspiration, you are to write a research paper discussing key concepts and principles of radical theatre, both theory and practice, as encountered in the unit.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

Required Text/Equipment

Required reading will be available online.

Recommended References

Other unit readings and reference material will be available online.

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction.

Other required safety inductions will be conducted as required.

Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

  1. 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
  2. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2
  3. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO3
  4. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  5. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
    Relates to: ULO3
  6. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
    Relates to: ULO2
  7. Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, and work with integrity across creative practice networks.
    Relates to: ULO1

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

  1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
    Relates to: ULO1
  2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2
  3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
    Relates to: ULO3
  4. Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  5. Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  6. Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
    Relates to: ULO1