Performance Skills 6 (9716.3)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Performance Skills 6
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 South Bank, QLD
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Arts And Communications Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This subject unit deepens the third year students' practice by challenging them to employ performance techniques at a graduate level as required for the performing arts industry at large. The students will continue to consolidate their acting through the exploration of contemporary and modern texts and explore important theoretical topics on the art of acting. They will develop professional auditioning skills by focusing on the technical and creative aspects of presenting monologues and scenes. The students will continue to refine their vocal technique through exploration of vocal range and the handling and presentation of a variety of texts. The students will continue to engage in physical performance training and will continue to integrate it with performance practice They will be introduced to various theatrical concepts, theories and practices associated with physical theatres.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Employ acting, vocal and physical training techniques at an advanced level;
2. Apply the key techniques of physical training in performance practice;
3. Employ acting techniques in the presentation of audition monologues and scene work; and
4. Apply communication skills in an academic/creative context.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

9715 Performance Skills 5

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 South Bank, QLD Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Ms Lisa O'Neill
2026 South Bank, QLD Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Ms Lisa O'Neill
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

MODULE 1: ACTING

Benedetti, J., & Stanislavsky, K. (2017). An actor's work. Routledge Classics, pp. 561-577.

Bennett, A., & Royle, N. (2009). An introduction to literature, criticism and theory (4th ed.). Pearson Longman, pp. 242-251.

Brown, C. (2015). Using punctuation to facilitate comedy in the plays of George Bernard Shaw and beyond. In C. J. Olsen (Ed.), Acting comedy (pp.48-51). Routledge.

Chekhov, M. (1991). On the technique of acting. Harper Perennial, pp. 159-172.

Gielgud, J. (1988). Stage directions. Hodder and Stoughton, pp. 72-84.

Haggard, S., & Seyler, A. (1981). The craft of comedy. Theatre Arts Books, pp. 7-26.

Haase, C. (2003). Acting for film. Allworth Press, pp. 99-112.

Johnstone, K. (1979). IMPRO: Improvisation and the theatre. Faber and Faber, pp. 33-41.

Kaplan, S. (2015). Straight line/wavy line. In C. J. Olsen (Ed.), Acting Comedy (pp.25-36). Routledge.

Kohlhaas, K. (2005) The monologue audition: A practical guide for actors. Limelight Editions, pp. xv-xxiii.

Lui, N. (2014, June 12). Is Australian theatre racist? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/australia-culture-blog/2014/jun/12/is-australian-theatre-racist

Meltzer, S. (2015). The secret of great comedy. In C. J. Olsen (Ed.), Acting comedy (pp.136-139). Routledge.

Rand, R. & Scocia, L. (2007). Acting teachers of America: A vital tradition. Allwood Press, pp. 230-234.

Robinson, D. R. (2015). Physicalizing farce. In C. J. Olsen (Ed.), Acting comedy (pp.72-75). Routledge.

To view:

Academy of Achievement. (2016, November 16). Lloyd Richards, Academy Class of 1987, Full Interview. [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3239&v=_Y9tUIfSGbs&feature=emb_title

Scorsese, M. (Director). (1982). The king of comedy [Film]. Embassy International Pictures.

Further reading:

Gilbert, H & Tompkins, J. (1996). Post-colonial drama: Theory, practice, politics. Routledge, pp.203-221.

MODULE 2: BODY

Required text: The students must purchase the following two texts:

Keefe, J., & Murray S. (eds.) (2007) Physical theatres: A critical introduction. Routledge.

Allain, P., & Harvie, J. (2014). Theatre and performance. Routledge.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence
Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.
GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:
the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.


Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.
The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

Participation in all sessions is encouraged due to the practical and theortecial requirements of the modules.

 

Students who attend campus for class or other purposes must play their part in keeping our campus and community safe by following these basic guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission:

  • Practise good hand hygiene, washing hands regularly;
  • If you do happen to cough or sneeze, please do so into the crook of your elbow, dispose of tissues immediately and wash hands immediately
  • Practise effective physical distancing;
  • Follow all directions of teaching and other UC staff regarding safety measures;
  • Stay off campus if you are unwell and get tested according to ACT Government guidelines, and 
  • Follow University communications about campus arrangements https://www.canberra.edu.au/coronavirus-advice

Required IT skills

Students will be required to use the online student management system CANVAS

Work placement, internships or practicums

N/A

Next step

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