| NBCT1101 | Theatre Studies 1 This module offers an introduction to the forms and practices of Chinese and Western theatres and examines how their development intersected in the last century. You will critically reflect on the ways in which each influenced the other and consider the questions: 'What is Chinese theatre?' and 'What is the future of Chinese theatre?'. As part of this theatre studies module, you will learn basic lighting and sound design.
| 1 | 20 |
| NBCT1102 | Theatre Practice Lab 1: Understanding Performance Practice This module will introduce you to traditional performance techniques and performances that embody them. Doing so, it will help you to enhance your understanding of your cultural body in performance and creation practices. You will be guided to draw from the philosophy and practice of Tai Chi to explore the notion of the 'Chinese Body' in performing and creating performances. You will also be introduced to Stanislavski's methodology to create characters, and begin to train your voice and work with texts.
| 1 | 40 |
| NBCT1201 | Theatre Studies 2 This module offers a survey of the development of forms and practices in Singapore theatre. You will begin by exploring the development of theatre in Singapore in the 20th century and examine how it has drawn from Western, Chinese and Southeast Asian traditions. Through the study of Singapore theatre, you will be introduced to the concepts of multiculturalism and interculturalism. These concepts will further your critical consideration of the questions: 'What is Chinese theatre?' and 'What is the future of Chinese theatre?'. As part of this theatre studies module, you will also learn basic stage and costume design.
| 2 | 20 |
| NBCT1202 | Theatre Practice Lab 2: Exploring Performance Practice This module introduces advanced performance techniques to support and enhance your understanding of your cultural body in performance and creation practices. You will continue to draw from the philosophy and practice of Tai Chi to explore the notion of the 'Chinese Body' in performing and creating performances. You will also explore Western theories and methods of movement. Ultimately, this module will guide you to engage these techniques to support your physical and vocal performance.
| 2 | 40 |
| NBCT2103 | Performance Research 1: Critical Theory 1 In this module, you will be equipped with a range of skills and strategies to conduct your own independent performance research. You will be introduced to critical theory and the most common approaches to performance analysis and criticism today. These approaches include actor-audience relationships, textuality and intertextuality, psychoanalysis, deconstruction, and theories of narrative, gender, sexuality, race and class.
| 1 | 10 |
| NBCT2102 | Theatre Practice Lab 3: Expanding Performance Practice In this module, you will expand your performance skills through the exploration of Asian traditional forms. You will be exposed to Xiqu (戏曲) (Chinese Opera) and learn the four essential skills of Chang, Nian, Zuo, Da (唱念做打). You will also learn one form of Southeast Asian performance such as Malay Silat or Thai Khon before investigating how traditional forms can inform contemporary theatre performance.
| 1 | 30 |
| NBCT2104 | Contemporary Theatre Creation 1: Playwriting and Directing with Dramaturgical Frameworks This module will develop your creation skills and practice. You will be taught fundamental and advanced techniques in playwriting and directing, with a focus on engaging with contemporary dramaturgical frameworks.
| 1 | 20 |
| NBCT2203 | Performance Research 2: Critical Theory 2 In this module, you will extend your understanding of multiculturalism and interculturalism to examine various questions relating to the notion of ‘Chineseness'. Does the term 'Chinese' refer specifically to an ethnicity, a nationality, a culture and a geographical region? What constitutes Chinese culture? Are Chinese Southeast Asians, Australians, Americans, Europeans and Africans still Chinese? What is contemporary Chinese theatre? Is there one contemporary Chinese theatre or many contemporary Chinese theatres? What about the concept of ‘transnational Chinese theatres’? Furthermore, how useful is the concept of the Sinophone in thinking about contemporary Chinese theatres? You will examine these questions through case studies and facilitated discussion and attempt to locate and dislocate Chineseness in contemporary theatre practice and discourse.
| 2 | 10 |
| NBCT2202 | Theatre Practice Lab 4: Mastering Performance Practice In this module, you will continue to build your performance skills towards mastery through the exploration of Asian traditional forms. You will continue your training in Xiqu (Chinese Opera) and the four essential skills of Chang, Nian, Zuo, Da (唱念做打). You will also continue your training in one Southeast Asian form such as Malay Silat or Thai Khon and further investigate how traditional forms can inform contemporary theatre performance.
| 2 | 30 |
| NBCT2204 | Contemporary Theatre Creation 2: Intercultural Approaches This module aims to expose you to contemporary intercultural performance practices and networks beyond Singapore. Underpinned by Kuo Pao Kun's concept of 'Open Culture', the module will provide you with a variety of source materials from different cultures to create theatre. You will learn about the intercultural working methods of major practitioners of Chinese theatres as well as acquire practical skills in devising theatre within an intercultural framework.
| 2 | 20 |
| NBCT3104 | Contemporary Theatre Creation 3: Industry Production This module is a culmination of the knowledge and skills you have developed as a creator and performer in this course. You will be given the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively on a devised theatre project for live public audiences. A professional director will lead and guide you through a series of creation, rehearsal and production tasks. Your competency to complete these tasks at professional standards will be appraised by a panel of assessors.
| 1 | 40 |
| NBCT3103 | Performance Research 3: Practice Research In this module, you will be introduced to practice research and equipped with relevant skills to conduct research in theatre and performance using this approach. You will learn how to identify a research topic, scope the research project, and develop an appropriate methodology. Additionally, you will be taught how to access secondary materials as well as adhere to academic conventions of citation and documentation.
| 1 | 20 |
| NBCT3204 | Contemporary Theatre Creation 4: Engaging New Technologies in Theatre This module introduces the basic concepts and approaches to the use of new technology in theatre. It covers the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality, and the history and development of online theatre.
| 2 | 20 |
| NBCT3203 | Performance Research 4: Graduation Project In this module, you will draw on the knowledge and skills in critical theory, performance practice and practice research which you have learned in this course to work on an independent research project. At the end of your research process, you will be required to submit a short thesis of 5,000 words (in English) or 10,000 characters (in Chinese). Your thesis should demonstrate intellectual enterprise, critical judgement and adequate familiarity with secondary material. It should also be documented according to the recognized conventions of scholarly presentation. Your thesis submission is to be accompanied by a presentation of a practice component such as a short performance or workshop.
| 2 | 40 |