THS1002 Introduction to Theatre Company Practice

THS	1002	62580	1, 2007	ONC	Introduction to Theatre Company Practice	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOART
Academic org:	FOA005
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	100103

Staffing
Requisites
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Janet McDonald
Moderator: Darryl Chalk

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BTHR or BDED

SYNOPSIS

This course is designed to introduce students to the organisation and collaborative nature of the work practices associated with the practise of a theatre company (the Performance Centre). Students engage in the planning and small scale execution of special performance-based projects including scene libraries, and a large scale children's theatre production. Students will study aspects of the Performance Centre and how it produces theatre performances in the Arts Theatre.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will:

demonstrate a basic understanding of the processes, procedures and roles involved in the artistic work of a theatre company;
have had practical experience in planning, rehearsing, managing and implementing a performance project;
demonstrate a professional competence in team-based collaborative projects;
have begun to develop a "network" of theatre practitioners and procedures in the Department of Theatre.

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	ALL TOPICS ARE INTEGRATED AND ONGOING THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER. Getting to know each other: building an ensemble through practical games and collaborative group processes.	25.00
2.	Getting to know the QUE Theatre Inc and Performance Centre: a look at the mission and strategic plan, operational procedures, management methods, scheduling, costing/budgeting, roles etc.	25.00
3.	Putting it all into practice: creation, rehearsal, and implementation of ideas for Scene Libraries and the Children's theatre production.	25.00
4.	Participation in QUE workshops and industry network sessions, textual analysis.	25.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Students should purchase a ring binder folder with loose leaf A4 pages for the collection and storage of materials for this class.

Students should also purchase a well-bound exercise book to be used as a journal.

Readings, video material and/or other documents will be made available to students by lecturers during classes.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

'NADIE' journal, was the 'National Australian Drama in Education' journal. Not held by USQ Library.

'Lowdown', Youth Performing Arts in Australia journal.

'Theatre Research International' (journal). Available: 1980- Oxford University Press in association with the International Federation for Theatre Research, Oxford.

Capelin, S (ed) 1995, Challenging the centre: two decades of political theatre, Playlab Press, Brisbane.

Langley, S 1980, Theatre management in America: principle and practice, Drama Book Specialists, New York.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Practical Experience	80.00
Private Study	50.00
Seminars	8.00
Tutorials	28.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
DIRECTING SCENES AND VIVA	40.00	40.00	05 Mar 2007	(see note 1)
READING SEMINARS	20.00	20.00	05 Mar 2007	(see note 2)
MAJOR PERFORMANCE JOURNAL	40.00	40.00	26 May 2007	(see note 3)

NOTES

1.: Further details and due dates for assessment will be advised on first day of class. Assessment may be subject to change in accordance with available projects. This assessment is aligned with Objectives 2, 3 and 4.
2.: This assessment is aligned with Objectives 1 and 3.
3.: This assignment is aligned with Objectives 2 and 4.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one 3 hour lecture per week plus assigned production duties, rehearsals and public presentations.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no exam for this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9.	(a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must lodge the assignment at the USQ. (b) All Faculty of Arts assignments must be lodged in the Faculty Assessment Centre on the Ground Floor of Q Block no later than 12 noon on the due date. (c) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience. (d). Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if requested by the Examiner. (e) In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances such as documented ill-health. (f) Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of the course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete-Makeup). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study. (g) Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or sit for an examination at the scheduled time, may apply to defer an assessment in the course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
10.	Students are strongly advised to maintain regular contact with their supervisor.
11.	Students will require access to email and have internet access to USQConnect for this course.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

In order to meet all objectives, but in particular Objective 3, it is envisaged that students will need to make a considerable amount of time available, outside of their timetabled classes, for group collaboration and rehearsals. Although this will not necessarily be every week of the semester, students must be present at visits by any guest speakers which occur outside of regular timetabling and workshops and be committed to the projects assigned to them. Extra time per week is conservatively estimated at 5-6 hours. Rehearsal for major production may require an extra 50 hours per week (during rehearsals.)
Since it is a requirement of the course that all items of assessment must be submitted any assignments which are beyond the 5 working day limit will not receive a mark, but must be of an acceptable standard. The assignments must be submitted by the end of the semester assessment period.

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.