Department of Creative Arts

This module is coupled with 1PVA 321 which you must have taken and passed in your first semester. Just like in 1PVA 321, the pre-requisite module, 1PVA 322 is a highly practical Theatre Directing module which is founded on existing theories or skills and inspired by the work of contemporary theatre directors in South Africa. 1PVA 321 introduced you to the universal elements of theatre directing and gave you a wide historical context of the art of directing. 1PVA 322 however focuses more on Theatre Directing in South Africa. In as much as there are universal theories and skills on directing, it is imperative for aspiring young theatre makers and directors to have a thorough understanding of the art form in their own context. As such, this course allows students to begin to experiment with specific skills needed for theatre directing but drawing inspiration and referring to the work of local and contemporary theatre directors in South Africa.

Directing students will explore various theatre genres such as physical theatre, musicals, protest theatre, and workshop theatre amongst others. By studying and analyzing various theatre directors’ work and approaches, students are challenged to develop their own voice and style.  

This hands-on theatre directing module is relevant at this stage in developing directing students and preparing them for a professional career. The module also tackles the business or entrepreneurial aspects of theatre directing in South Africa, inspiring, and preparing the young directors in the making for their professional journey as directors in South Africa.

Welcome and all the best in your studies.

Radebe Tebogo

(Module Coordinator and Lecturer)

Dear Students

Welcome to the (1PVA 121-122) African contemporary movement. Drama text is where it all starts. The: what are we dealing with? – What genre and what style, but now it’s the: what do we move as actors on stage.  So, join us in this module to discover your body and personalities within it…

Movement studies is an introduction to the art of theatre making by use of physical body. The module is structured to strike a balance between theory and practice of movement, in relation to models of African contemporary movement. The first part of this module will introduce the students to theory of movement, secondly on anatomy and thirdly on the theory of Laban notation.

The course is highly practical and informed by existing theories and practical references. We seek to understand the influences that movement has in drama and music.

Lecturer details:

Contact: 035 902 6789

E-mail : manenyem@unizulu.ac.za

WhatsApp: 081 577 1689              

Office :  Creative Arts Building office 2017 (KwaDlangezwa)        

Lecturer: Dr G M Ntaka

E-mail: NtakaG@unizulu.ac.za

Welcome to 1PVA351 (Music Theatre 3A). Please ensure that you read through your Learner Guide for this module. 

This module forms the foundation for 1PVA212 which you will take in your second semester. 1PVA 211, is an intensive acting module that strikes a balance between learning the theory and practice of acting for the stage and the basics for film and television acting.

It is crucial to take Advanced Acting at this stage in the BA Drama and Performing Arts degree because your first year introduction to drama and theatre modules have given you the background you need to be able to comprehend and handle the demands of this acting module. It is also well placed to take this acting module at this point because it equips you with the appropriate set of skills required to be able to take theatre performance and directing modules in your third year of study.

I hope you will find this module exciting and rewarding, and I trust you will commit to the teaching and learning processes fully in order to make the best of this module. This module will be team taught by at least 3 lecturers with different strengths and teaching approaches to offer the students a diverse understanding of the various acting techniques and concepts. A detailed breakdown of work schedules will be handed out at the initial meeting with your lecturers. Students are expected to participate in all class activities, group work and individual projects.

Welcome to the Introduction to the Theatre Performance Module I.  This is a practical module that module. The objective of this module is to achieve professional performance in a full-length student production that will be open to public attendance.  This module introduces students to professional standards of rehearsal and performance (e.g., preparation, creativity/freedom, commitment to ensemble, flexibility of process). Firstly, students’ needs to prepare and respond adequately to an audition brief, observe, understand and apply strict rehearsal ethics (etiquette) and demonstrate acceptable mastery of the full depth of the character portrayed in a full-length theatre production that will be directed by the chosen lecturer. Performances will take place in conventional and unconventional spaces, exploiting various theatrical performance approaches, physical theatre and various forms of applied theatre. This module will empower students with crucial life skills, such as self-discipline, creativity, critical thinking, leadership and teamwork, all of which will benefit them in any field of interest.