Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Performance Workshop I: Shakespeare
SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: CLP08116
Module leader: Donna Soto-Morettini
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Screen and Performance
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to consolidate and apply the physical, vocal and acting skills you've gained in the preceding modules with sustained work on a variety of texts. You will work to professional standards in a collaborative rehearsal and performance setting, which will challenge your ability to demonstrate creative, imaginative, observational and technical skills within a defined rehearsal period. The aim is to allow a sustained exploration of the work without the technical demands that a full production would impose, which may include partial or full performances of selected plays, and the significant portion of this module will be spent on Shakespeare texts. This module runs alongside and complements CLP08111, Shakespeare and the Renaissance.The module will begin with chosen scenes of any era and this will be followed by work on extended scenes from Shakespeare. Casting will stretch and challenge each student, and the aim is to distribute casting evenly throughout the cohort, without making any student unduly vulnerable. Plays will be chosen that can provide the best possible acting opportunities and students will be expected to meet the physical and vocal demands of performing Shakespeare. Rehearsals will take place in intensive sessions and will culminate in assessed performances to an invited audience. Students will be required to assemble character profile logbooks for their main role in the Shakespeare scenes, which will underpin the imaginative work.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Apply and combine physical, vocal and acting skills to create performances across a range of texts.

LO2: Communicate thought, action, emotion and character with clarity and consistency in rehearsal and performance.

LO3: Work collaboratively and independently in rehearsal to explore, develop and respond to text in action.

LO4: Demonstrate sustained focus, imagination and technical skill when working within a structured rehearsal process and simulated professional environment.

LO5: Use research and textual analysis to inform practical performance choices and support the development of a role.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2026/7, Trimester 2, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Donna Soto-Morettini
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Online GROUPIND_STUDY 120 You will be expected to rehearse independently outside of scheduled class times once initial artistic decisions are made with the director in rehearsal.
Online Guided independent study 4 Reading week will allow you to consolidate your learning up until this point and allow you to explore a range of research to underpin practical acting choices.
Face To Face GROUPSCHEDULED 16 You will take part in workshops on staging and working with heightened language.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 60 You will be working in rehearsal with directors on chosen scenes. One of these will be a Shakespeare scene and the other may be drawn from any time period or style.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Essay 10 5 Week 14 , WORDS= 1000 words You will submit a written research assignment in PowerPoint format, allowing you to combine text with visual material that supports your creative and analytical choices. This mainstreamed format ensures all students can present their work in a clear, accessible way while meeting the same academic requirements. Your written analysis will be considered in balance with visuals used to illustrate research, context, character work, and production ideas. It is hoped that this balance will aid those whose learning styles are predominantly visual.
Project - Practical 30 1~2~3~4~5 Week 13 HOURS= 1 to 2 hours You will take part in two assessed performances: your Chosen Scene and your Shakespeare Scene. These performances are assessed by your module tutor and at least one additional marking tutor to ensure fairness, consistency, and transparency for all students. The Chosen Scenes are assessed mid term, and the Shakespeare Scenes are assessed in the final week of the trimester.This assessment format is mainstreamed and inclusive, with rehearsal and performance processes designed to support a wide range of performers. Casting and staging choices can be adjusted within each company to ensure that individual student needs can be met without compromising artistic or pedagogical aims. All students work within the same structured rehearsal environment and are assessed against shared criteria that value preparation, collaboration, creativity, and the application of physical, vocal, and imaginative skills in performance.
Project - Practical 60 1~2~3~4~5 Week 13 You will be assessed on your professional engagement in the rehearsal process. This includes reliability, preparation, responsiveness to direction, and your contribution to the creative development of the work. Contributions may take different forms — such as offering ideas, asking clarifying questions, supporting scene partners, or engaging thoughtfully with creative challenges — ensuring that all students can participate in ways that reflect their strengths.You will also be assessed on your artistic progression across the rehearsal period, including your ability to develop and refine creative choices, to work constructively within the ensemble, and to sustain your decisions through a structured rehearsal process. The rehearsal environment is designed to be inclusive and supportive, and individual needs can be met through negotiated rehearsal practices and staging choices where appropriate.
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Performance Workshop I: Shakespeare
 

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