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Course Outline

DRA300 Theatre Production

Course Coordinator:Carl Walling (cwalling@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2024Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you will develop the skills required to present a theatrical production. The course's learning experiences will involve ensemble work, adhering to a production schedule, recognizing theatre industry standards and best practices, creative problem solving, and maintaining a professional workbook. You can focus on acting and develop your knowledge of performance techniques while working with an experienced director; or you can focus on design, stage management or another production area while exploring the necessary skills required for realizing a dramatic work for an audience.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-Campus Workshop 4hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

Throughout the semester DRA 300: Theatre Production students will:

  • Develop an theatre ensemble 
  • Collaborate as part of a production schedule 
  • Create a production within a director’s vision
  • Investigate performance, production, stage management or design techniques related to focus area(s)
  • Engage in rehearsal best-practices 
  • Perform a theatre production for an audience. Note: Depending on the play selection for the semester, the production may include adult themes and coarse language.

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Identify Theatre Industry Standards and Practices and relate these to your role in performance Empowered
2 Demonstrate an ability to work as part of an ensemble Engaged
3 Demonstrate an ability to work to a Production Schedule. Engaged
4 Develop and synthesise practical skills in either acting or one production area contributing to a public performance. Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

DRA100

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

DRA204

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Competent English language skills for oral and written work and foundational skills in theatre and performance. As this a 300-level course, it is recommended that students complete this course in their final year of study.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Limited Grading (PNP)

Pass (PU), Fail (UF). All assessment tasks are required to be passed for successful completion of the course.

Details of early feedback on progress

You will receive feedback on your progress within this course during rehearsals and meetings. Actors will receive feedback via "notes sessions" from the director during rehearsals (as per standard industry practice). Students undertaking a backstage/ design role will provide feedback during regular production meetings (as per standard industry practice).

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Oral Group 
10-12 minutes
 Week 3 In Class
All 2 Creative Performance Individual 
45 - 90 minutes
 Week 12 In Class
All 3 Journal Individual 
1500-2000 words.
 Exam Period Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Oral Research Presentation
Goal: 
Communicate knowledge and application to a production process.
Product: Oral
Format: 
In small groups of 2-3 students, your research group will select a key text within the fields theatre production, theatre studies or performance from a course coordinator provided list. The available options will be related to the semester's selected production and the upcoming rehearsal process. You will apply your information literacy skills to analyse information on your chosen text, research contemporary intersections with this text's contribution to theatre and performance, and then summarize the text for your colleagues in the course. Your group will present this information as a 10-12 minute oral and visual presentation using presentation software before uploading your presentation to Canvas.

This task is being used for measuring assurance of learning towards Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation. The following Program Competency will be assessed: PC1 - Communication.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Evidence of research to demonstrate knowledge
 1
2 
Identify and analyse application to a specific production
 1
3 
Effective oral, written and visual communication
 2
All - Assessment Task 2:Public Performance
Goal: 
The purpose of this task is for you to demonstrate your developing professional skills in one or two production area(s) of theatre practice across the entire semester (rehearsals, production meetings, technical rehearsals and performances).
Product: Creative Performance
Format: 
Individual. Your performance will be assessed according to industry standards and expectations across the entire theatre production process as these connect into your production role(s) throughout the semester. These will include tangible demonstrations of your production role(s) in pre-production meetings, auditions, rehearsals, production meetings, technical rehearsals and performances. Your rehearsal process will culminate in a series of public performances.

This task is being used for measuring assurance of learning towards Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation. The following Program Competency will be assessed: PC2 - Critical and creative thinkers and practitioners.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Ability to work as part of an ensemble.
 2
2 
Ability to work within a defined Production Schedule.
 3
3 
Skills in Acting (Role Preparation, acting/performance skills and working with a director) or production (skills in one specific area)
 4
4 
Meeting industry expectations of your production role (including production deadlines and active positive collaboration throughout the entire production process)
 2
All - Assessment Task 3:Professional Journal
Goal: 
The purpose of this task is for you to document and clarify your industry knowledge and relate this to the theatre industry standards and practice as you develop through this course. This document will provide you with a valuable record for future reference.
Product: Journal
Format: 
This journal will be in industry format. During the rehearsal process you will be required to generate and maintain a professional workbook. Each role within a theatrical production has a specialized form of workbook determined by your production role within the course. A template for your workbook will be provided to you at the start of the semester by your course coordinator. This workbook will be checked during the process and its final version will be submitted after the final performance.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Documentation of rehearsal processes.
 2
2 
Description of preparatory processes.
 1 3
3 
Demonstrated knowledge of Industry practices for role preparation/a specific production area.
 1
4 
Synthesis between general industry practices and personal role within a specific production.
 1 2

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Students will be expected to be available for autonomous group rehearsals and peer workgroup sessions in addition to your timetabled workshops. Students may be required to attend additional timetabled and non-timetabled sessions throughout semester to support their learning process (production meetings, learning lines, etc.). Students engaged in production, design and stage management roles will have weekly scheduled area and production meetings. Students performing in the production will be expected to spend time outside of rehearsals for memorisation.

As production roles are set within the first two weeks of the semester, each student should consider their availability on evenings and weekends as well as normal working hours before committing to their assigned production role. A weekend performance and/or technical rehearsal will be required. Specific performance dates will be announced at the start of semester.

Per higher education practice within theatre and performance programs, DRA 300 students will be required to attend all technical rehearsals and performances. This is a common expectation in the theatre industry. There will be evening rehearsals and performances scheduled throughout Week 12.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all studio and laboratory classes and a low level of health and safety risk exists. Some risk concerns may include equipment, instruments, and tools; as well as manual handling items within the laboratory. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Institutional Operating Policy of the USC.

In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.

Assessment: Submission penalties

You must contact your Course Coordinator and provide the required documentation if you require an extension or alternate assessment.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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