According to your own interests within the vast field of theatre dramaturgy, as part of this module you will have an opportunity to observe and experience how your acquired knowledge and skills-sets contribute to the working of a professional venue or theatre company. Towards the end of the autumn term, you may think about approaching a company/venue of your choice to negotiate the terms of a placement/shadowing period (which would take place in March or April for ideally two weeks). Examples of companies which have offered placements to University of Kent Dramaturgy students in the past include National Theatre Studio, Gate Theatre, Bush Theatre, Orange Theatre Richmond, as well as a number of smaller companies, regional venues and literary and comedy agencies etc. You will need to use your personal initiative to arrange your placement but you can receive advice from us on how to go about this (Dermot can advise you on this as you begin to think about it in the Autumn Term).

On completion of your placement, you will then be able to reflect on your experience in relation to any preparatory research, or any empirical research you conducted as part of the placement.

You will also gain some generic skills, such as:

       * exercise initiative, take personal responsibility, and display self-management capabilities, discipline, and personal organisation,

       * manage autonomous planning and decision-making processes in complex professional situations,

       * work within team structures and contribute to common targets in a professional context, and

       * learn independently as required for their continuing professional development.

Assessment & Deadlines

This module is assessed 100% on continuous assessment by coursework:

       20 % Planning, Management and Implementation of your research project on professional practice as evidenced by your constructive engagement in tutorial supervision.

       30 % 20-minute Presentation which outlines Research Question and Methodology for the Research to be conducted during the Placement

       50 % Dramaturgical Practice Study (3,500 words).

Research Question Presentation and Dramaturgical Practice Study

In preparation for your placement which will take place over two weeks in March or April, you will prepare a 20-minute presentation outlining your key area of interest in relation to your chosen host company (this may focus on issues such as new writing development, organizational structure, communication, marketing, casting etc). Your presentation will be based on thorough preparatory research and analysis of your company's work and public profile. A specific Research Question that you wish to address in detail will emerge as a result of this preparatory research. You will then outline how you propose to use your time with the company to tackle this Research Question - this may include plans to interview significant personalities in the company, attend particular types of meetings, request access to rehearsals etc. This presentation will take place in Week 16.

Following your placement, you will write a Dramaturgical Practice Study. This extensive and thorough analysis of professional dramaturgical practice based on a clear Research Question and any empirical research you conducted during your time with the company, will include a 3,500-word critical analysis and an appendix of materials as appropriate.  

Any appended materials will be immediately relevant to your discussion and they may include any transcripts, notes you made, extracts from your diary or even samples of work you created for the company while on your placement. The Draaturgucal Practice Study will be submitted in Week 25.

                                                  DR862 Prod. Dramaturgy               DR837 Placement

                   (3-6PM, Thu, Aphra)                  (Various times)

*Each student is entitled to three 15-minute one to one sessions throughout the term including surgeries in week 14