FT2CPSA: Community and Collaborative Performance Practices for Study Abroad

Module code: FT2CPSA

Module provider: Film, Theatre and TV; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Matt McFrederick , email: m.mcfrederick@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE FT2CCPP (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims: to develop students' performance making competencies through the collaborative realisation of a short practical project for and/or in a specific community setting; in ensembles or small theatre companies to collaboratively research, plan, devise, and execute a relevant practical project that is clearly informed by your understanding of existing applied performance practices, and is in line with the needs of the community you are working with; to extend skills of analysis and evaluation by relating critical and theoretical issues to decision making in practice; through independent research and supervised studio time to develop student’s production specialisms; to enhance the students' professionalism and range of professional skills in the field of theatre, establishing community connections.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the critical, technical and organisational expertise required to organise a short theatre or performance project or series of workshops;
2. Relate practical decisions in theatre to theoretical, critical and cultural ideas developed in earlier or concurrent critical modules;
3. Set out the critical and practical intentions for an applied theatre project in the light of identified theoretical concepts and contexts, and taking account of defined project constraints and community needs;
4. Evaluate and analyse the outcome of a practical project critically, taking account of audience reception, the collaboration processes involved, the impact on the community, the relationship of initial intentions to the final project, levels of critical and creative success, and the professional learning and skills developed.
5. Develop skills in collaboration and leadership, particularly managerial and organisational skills. Decision-making and its consequences are central to the course. The module extends skills and competencies which are central to the degree: team work; oral communication and group co-operation; project management; citizenship and awareness of social and community contexts; library usage to assist in independent work; appropriate deployment of research using printed and electronic resources: critical analysis of visual and written material and coherent argument; presentation of written work using IT.

Module content

Students taking this module pursue practical work in theatre or performance in many different forms. Students specialising in practical theatre collaboratively create, under supervision, a practical project for or in a particular community setting. The work is documented and evaluated throughout the process. Early parts of the module consist of a range of preparatory exercises and workshops designed to develop particular skills relating to different elements of applied theatre making and a critical understanding of key concepts like collaboration and community. This process will enable students to work responsively on a diverse range of performance tasks and hone their planning and communication skills. The second part of the module will focus on developing the practical project in collaboration with the community setting/group. Students may be responding to briefs created by project partners, developing their professional skills and networks.  Students will creatively and critically engage with aims and themes that you have identi