Course coordinator
Dr Bernadette Cochrane
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
Shifting from theory to practice, this seminar course introduces students to the evolution of contemporary directing and dramaturgy (figure and field). Structured in three modules, the course shifts from the study of the historical evolution of directing and dramaturgy and then moves to consideration of contemporary practice augmented by practical skills development. In the final third of the course, you will direct a short play or scene from a play for public performance.
This seminar course examines both directorial and dramaturgical practice.ﾠ In Module One, you will examine the evolution of directing and dramaturgy through the historical figures of the director and dramaturg. Framed by Module One, in Module Two, you will develop practical directing and dramaturgical skills to apply in Module Three. In Module Three, the theoretical and historical frames, and skills development culminate in Vanguard Theatre Festival where you will direct student actors in a performance outcome or you will take on the role of Festival Manager.
There is substantial creative and critical reading, and you will be an active partner in your learning process. The seminars will consist of discussion and practical experimentation.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is assumed that students are in the third and/or final year of their Drama Major.
Incoming Exchange Studies students are exempt from the requirement to have successfully completed DRAM1010.ﾠ
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Students taking this course should be in their final year of study and have completed DRAM1010.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
DRAM2030
Restrictions
Course offering may be cancelled unless a minimum of 20 students enrol.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Bernadette Cochrane
Course coordinator dram1010
Dr Emma Cole
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
In weeks ten, eleven, and twelve, your timetable will be modified to fit the DRAM1010 tutorials. These may not align with the standard course timetable.
In week 12 and 13, you will be called for plotting and technical rehearsals outside of rehearsal times. This will include evening and weekend calls.
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce you to the theoretical and practical requirements of contemporary directing. Working from historical understandings of contemporary practice, you will explore the demands on contemporary directing and theatre-making.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand both the historical evolution of directing and dramaturgy, and the intersections between the two.
LO2.
Demonstrate a sound familiarity with contemporary directors, both nationally and internationally.
LO3.
Demonstrate a sound familiarity with contemporary dramaturgy, both nationally and internationally.
LO4.
Have enhanced your understanding of the connections and relationships between written texts and theatrical performances
LO5.
Understand the craft required to direct a short piece of live theatre for a festival context or through managing a festival via independent learning.
Assessment
Assessment summary
Participation for all students
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Participation
|
20% In class and Blackboard contributions |
22/07/2024 - 16/09/2024
You should ensure that you prepare for class by completing the readings, where required, for the week in full before attending. At least one question arising from the readings must be submitted to the appropriate Discussion Forum on the Tuesday prior to the Thursday seminar. |
Practical Directing Stream
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Directorial Brief | 35% 2000 words |
6/09/2024 4:00 pm |
| Performance |
Practical Directing Project
|
45% |
30/09/2024 - 21/10/2024 |
Festival Director Stream
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Festival Directorial Brief | 35% 2000 words |
13/09/2024 4:00 pm |
| Creative Production/ Exhibition |
Practical Festival Directing Project
|
45% |
30/09/2024 - 21/10/2024 |
Assessment details
Participation for all students
Participation
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 20% In class and Blackboard contributions
- Due date
22/07/2024 - 16/09/2024
You should ensure that you prepare for class by completing the readings, where required, for the week in full before attending. At least one question arising from the readings must be submitted to the appropriate Discussion Forum on the Tuesday prior to the Thursday seminar.
Task description
Overview
This task assesses your participation and engagement in the seminar program from Weeks 1 to 9. For the purposes of assessment, the three components of meaningful participation are: preparation for class; engagement with the learning activities in class; and respectful peer collaboration.
Task
In order to get the most out of the seminars, you need to actively participate in them. This involves more than simply showing up.
You should ensure that you prepare for class by completing the readings and posts, where required, for the week in full before attending.
When in the room, you should engage fully with the learning activities and ensure that you are sensitive to group dynamics by allowing everyone to be heard.
A detailed Assignment Brief is available on Blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please note: this is an in-class assessment item and students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal.
If you are absent from your seminar in weeks 1-9 through documented illness or other documented circumstances beyond your control, and supply this documentation to the course coordinator, you will receive a pass mark (in the range of a four) for that week’s participation. In weeks 1 to 3 if your reason for absence falls under one of UQ’s acceptable reasons for an extension, you can evidence your engagement with the learning activities by submitting a summary of or response to the reading/s (max. 200 words), in addition to evidence of your circumstances, for the opportunity to be graded above a four for this part of the assessment.
Late submission
Late submission is not possible for this piece of assessment.
Practical Directing Stream
Directorial Brief
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 35% 2000 words
- Due date
6/09/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
The Director’s Brief is designed to enable you to demonstrate your preparation for the practical task of directing.
Task
You will write a 2000-word director’s brief that will assess your ability to:
- Outline your early responses to the text
- Outline the organisation information of the scene
- Produce a relevant and compelling interpretation of a playtext that includes staging considerations
- An analysis of the action of the play
- A rehearsal plan.
A detailed Assignment Brief is available on Blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard by 4.00pm.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Practical Directing Project
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Performance
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
30/09/2024 - 21/10/2024
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
Task description
Overview
This assignment is designed to enable you to demonstrate your understanding of the director’s role in rehearsal, working with actors towards a public performance. It will require you to combine dramaturgical sensibilities with directorial practice.
Task
During your seminar in Week 8, you will have the opportunity audition the DRAM1010 student actors. You will then cast the playtexts with which you are working. You will work with the cast members during your allocated seminar times in Weeks 10, 11, and 12 although you may need to be flexible on times as you will need to work to the DRAM1010 timetable. Many of you will need to rehearse during the DRAM1010 students' allocated Thursday tutorial times. The final performances will form the showcase titled Vanguard Theatre Festival.
Please note that you will be required for some technical rehearsals from Tuesday 15th of October through Tuesday 22nd of October. Times to be advised closer to the Vanguard Festival itself. These times will include evening and weekend calls.
Dress rehearsals will take place on the afternoon of your performance day.
Public performances of the Vanguard Festival will commence at 7pm on the evenings of Wednesday 23rd through Friday 25th October, 2024.
Performance Parameters
Unless agreed otherwise:
- Cast sizes should be no larger than three
- Performance duration for a two- or three-hander should be ten minutes, +/- one minute.
- Performance duration for a one-hander should be seven minutes, +/- one minute.
A detailed Assignment Brief is available on Blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Recording of Oral and Practical Assessment
- All presentations will be recorded for marking purposes via recording facilities available where the assessment takes place (eg. ECHO360, Zoom, camera device)
- Recordings will be retained by the School of Communication and Arts for at least 12 months from the release of the final grade for the course.
- Recordings will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed by authorised school staff for the purposes of:
- Moderation of marking;
- Provision of feedback to the student(s) recorded; and/or
- Re-marking following a successful re-mark application.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please note: this is an in-class assessment item and students are NOT able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
Late submission is not possible for this piece of assessment.
Festival Director Stream
Festival Directorial Brief
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 35% 2000 words
- Due date
13/09/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
The Festival Director’s Brief is designed to enable you to demonstrate your preparation for the practical task of directing or organising a festival.
Task
You will write a 2000-word Festival Director’s brief that will assess your ability to:
- Outline your early responses to the project
- Outline the organisational information of the project
- Produce a relevant and compelling dramaturgical interpretation of the festival
- A festival program plan.
A detailed Assignment Brief is available on Blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Practical Festival Directing Project
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Creative Production/ Exhibition
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
30/09/2024 - 21/10/2024
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
Task description
Overview
This assignment is designed to enable you to demonstrate your understanding of the Festival Director’s role in rehearsal, working with directorial groups towards a public performance. It will require you to combine dramaturgical sensibilities with directorial and administrative practice.
Task
During module three, you will program and organise the Vanguard Festival from both a dramaturgical, programming, publicity, and technical perspective.
Please note that you will be required for technical rehearsals from Tuesday 15th of October through Tuesday 22nd of October. Times to be advised closer to the Vanguard Festival itself. These times will include evening and weekend calls.
Dress rehearsals will take place on the afternoon of your performance day.
A detailed Assignment Brief is available on Blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please note: this is an in-class assessment item and students are NOT able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
Late submission is not possible for this piece of assessment.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Additional assessment information
- It is at the Course Coordinator's discretion which students follow the directing pathway and which students follow the festival director pathway.
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
In DRAM3105 we use Blackboard to disseminate and archive course materials and other course-related information. Once you have registered for a seminar, you can sign up for Blackboard via SI-Net. If required, you should download and print seminar notes from Blackboard and bring them with you to the seminar. Check the Blackboard site regularly for other resources and course announcements.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
All student activities
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Seminar |
Week 1. Module 1: Introduction Discuss aims and objectives, course scheduling, assessment, and planning. |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 2. Module 1: An Historio-theoretical Frame Directing and dramaturgy - a background. |
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 3. Module 1: An Historio-theoretical Frame Contemporary directing |
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 4. Module 2: Directorial Practice & Technique Examination of and experimentation with directing and dramaturgical methodologies - the dramaturgy of space. |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 5. Module 2: Directorial Practice & Technique Examination of and experimentation with directing and dramaturgical methodologies - the dramaturgy of bodies. |
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 6. Module 2: Directorial Practice & Technique Examination of and experimentation with directing and dramaturgical methodologies- the dramaturgy of rehearsals and Principles of rehearsal planning. |
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 7. Module 2: Directorial Practice & Technique Examination of and experimentation with directing and dramaturgical methodologies. Finalisation of audition plans |
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 8. Module 2: Directorial practice & technique Rehearsal methodologies and techniques. Auditioning the DRAM1010 students. |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 9. Module 2: Directorial practice & technique Rehearsal methodologies and techniques - the dramaturgy of technology |
Multiple weeks From Week 10 To Week 12 |
Practical |
Week 10. Module 3a: Directing Project Rehearsal The seminar will be given over to rehearsal for the upcoming Director's Project. Please note that some of you may need to attend DRAM1010 tutorials that do not align with this course's timetable this week. |
Practical |
Week 10. Module 3a. Festival Directing During module three, you will program and organise the Vanguard Festival from both a dramaturgical, programming, and technical perspective. You will be required to attend rehearsals, supervise intimacy coordination sessions, and liaise with the Festival Manager. |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 12 To Week 13 |
Practical |
Week 12. Module 3b. Practical Directing Rehearsal You will be required to attend a lighting and sound plotting session, and technical session between the 16th and 23rd inclusive. A detailed schedule will be made closer to the time. |
Week 12 |
Practical |
Week 12: Module 3b. Festival Directing During module three, you will program and organise the Vanguard Festival from both a dramaturgical, programming, and technical perspective. You will be required to attend rehearsals, supervise intimacy coordination sessions, and liaise with the Festival Manager. You will be required to attend all lighting and sound plotting sessions, and technical sessions between the 16th and 23rd inclusive. A detailed schedule will be made closer to the time. A detailed schedule will be made closer to the time. |
Week 13 |
Practical |
Week 13. Module 3c. Practical Directoring Project The Directorial Projects will be delivered across three evenings of performance, from from Wednesday 23 October through Friday 25 October. You will be required to attend your own performance, and provide front of house or technical assistance, and attend as an audience member on at least one other occasion. Technical assistance will require you to be in attendance for the technical rehearsals sometime between Sunday 20 to Tuesday 22 October. These calls will be for the late afternoon and evening. You will be required for a dress rehearsal on the day of your performance. A schedule will be provided closer to the date. All directors are expected to assist with the bump-out after the final performance. |
Practical |
Week 13: Module 3c. Festival Directing You will deliver the Vanguard Festival, supervising and running technical and dress rehearsals, and performances. You will be required to be in attendance throughout. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.