Diploma in Physical Theatre Practice

Adam Smith College presents…

The Diploma in Physical Theatre Practice

Full-time Course based in Glasgow (subject to validation)

If you have experience in contemporary dance, acrobatics or gymnastics, mask or physical theatre, devising or site specific or street performance, this course could be for you.

Led by Jerwood Award Winner Al Seed, this dynamic new one year course will have an emphasis on practical working skills and making new work to show for audition or touring.

Scotland’s only physical theatre qualification – starts October 2008

Contact simonabbott@adamsmith.ac.uk or download an application form at www.adamsmithcollege.ac.uk

In association with The Arches.

 

What is the course?

The course will offer an intensive experiential learning opportunity to individuals who have some background as performance practitioners or facilitators, to learn or develop the skills, vocabulary and techniques that underpin theatre where the performance ‘text’ is derived from the body rather than the voice.  On completion of the course, participants will be better equipped to work collaboratively, to ‘play’ more freely and to develop and edit the physical ‘text’.  They will have direct experience of a practitioner or company working in contemporary physical or visual theatre.

Who is the course for?

A one year, full-time course at SCQF level 8/9; it offers an attractive chance for university graduates to get practical experience in an area they may have studied in theory only, it offers the HND graduate a specialist training and it offers the part-time or not fully-professional performer the chance to formalise their learning.  It is a valuable opportunity for dancers, directors, teachers or drama workers to explore physical theatre, movement and devising skills, to show their work in a professional setting and to gain a valuable Further Education qualification.

Who will teach the course?

Al Seed will lead the bulk of the work, supported by Theatre Arts staff from Adam Smith College.  Multi-award winner and international physical theatre specialist Al will teach a variety of skills and direct the production work.

What does the course cover?

Running over 30 weeks, the course will include core units:

·       Physical Theatre Performance Skills

·       Physical Theatre Production

·       Movement in Performance

·       Integrated Performance

With support units that may include:

·       Scenography & Direction

·       Performance Combat

·       Puppetry

·       Advanced Maskwork

·       Street / site responsive Theatre

·       Contextual studies

Our work will involve explorations in:

·       Clown, bouffon, physical storytelling, neutral mask, chorus, melodrama

How will I be taught?

Involvement will require stamina, determination and commitment.  There is an important element of written work but the learning will be experiential, pleasurable and shared.  Learning by doing is how most people learn, by trial and error, practice, and by making mistakes; Learning from feedback and listening to the comments of others will promote the ability to undertake useful self-assessment; and Making sense of all of this and digesting what has been learned will help you develop a personal understanding of your place in contemporary physical theatre practice.

How will I be assessed?

The course is a practical experience.  The majority of your work will be assessed by observation of your practical skills and progress.  To aid this, you will be filmed at various points throughout the course and in your ‘production’ work.  You will maintain a working journal / notebook through which we can evaluate your learning in workshops, in rehearsal and in tutorial.  The Integrated Performance unit offers the chance to prepare an ‘audition’ piece to take forward into professional work.

Will I get to perform?

Production work will include an in-house showing, touring work and a project with a professional company.

What are the opportunities to develop?

With monies coming into Scotland ahead of the 2012 Olympics and the Commonwealth Games in 2014, there is likely to be a significant growth in the physical performance, street arts and circus field.  Adam Smith College and our partner Physical Theatre Scotland (PTS) are committed to providing appropriate training and opportunity for the future.  We will mentor and incubate new companies evolving from our work, building on their skills and experiences together.

Can I apply for funding?

Funding for this course is available from SAAS.