Moodle

Applied Theatre Making: Writing in the Community is a 10 week (20 hour) module which introduces postgraduate students to a range of practical research methodologies and ways of making and writing for community groups, or in applied settings. The module will explore four distinct community contexts; writing for young people, for vulnerable groups, writing reminiscence theatre and writing site specific plays. Students will engage with the work of key practitioners in the field of applied drama and with key play texts relevant to each context. The module will engage students with critical theory in applied theatre, models of good practice (ethical guidelines) and creative strategies for working in each community context. It will examine the way community theatre and professional theatre worlds can intersect and combine to create new theatre aesthetics, connect with new audiences and find new ways to envision social change.

Aims

The module aims to enable students to plan and implement community projects for groups of young people, vulnerable groups, senior citizens, and in response to places and sites of special interest to the community. Students will learn how to write plays in creative response to community concerns and problems while beginning to develop their own unique aesthetic, ethic and sensibility as 'applied drama practitioners' and playwrights. The module also aims to offer students understanding of applied drama and their ethical responsibilities as practitioners and playwrights working with community groups.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be able to engage creatively and responsibly with different communities, they will be able to demonstrate an understanding of theories of applied drama. The students will have acquired in-depth understanding of a range of seminal plays developed in community contexts and alternative settings. They will be able to analyse and apply theoretical concepts and creative ideas in the planning of community projects. Students will gain knowledge of the work of key practitioners and theatre companies working in the field of community and alternative theatre. They will become familiar with processes, techniques and practices for engaging with communities in the creation of plays of a professional standard.