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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Performer's Diploma: Theatre

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
19894	Performer's Diploma: Theatre
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Diploma	Field 02 - Culture and Arts		Performing Arts
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Level 5	NQF Level 06	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 0695/12	2012-07-01	2014-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2015-12-31		2019-12-31

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
96640	Diploma in Theatre and Performance	Not Applicable	NQF Level 06	360	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The primary goal of the Performer's Diploma in Theatre programme is the production stage and musical theatre actors, steeped in the traditions and processes of creating South Africa theatre and performance. The programme emphasises the need to produce diplomates who can adapt to the changing conditions of an industry in flux, diplomates skilled in the ability to generate their own creative work and employment opportunities in the field of traditional theatre, musical theatre, industrial theatre and in related fields.

The performer's Diploma in Theatre programme is premised on the view that:
1. South African Theatre is key to creating, not only South Africa's artistic identify, but also its understanding of itself and its comprehension abroad;
2. South African theatre contributes to the country's cultural profile and provides an artistic prototype which infuses the film, television, music, radio, tourist and advertising industries of this country.

The Performer's Diploma in Theatre seeks to foster a multi-lingual, multicultural approach in the creation and performance of theatre. The programme aims to recruit the best students from around the country but remains conscious of its location in the Western Cape and deems it strategic to serve the traditions, cultures and languages most commonly found in this region.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Schooling equivalent to the level of a matriculation OR

A senior school leaving certificate approved by senate on the recommendation of the Head of Department

Acceptance by the Drama Department, post acceptance by the Faculty, is subject to an audition process in which the candidate should demonstrate:
(a) an understanding of stylistic and/or character difference through vocal and/or physical performance and/or the ability to create a variety of original work;
(b) adequate preparation of audition material;
(c) a use of English which embraces levels of abstraction;
(d) a willingness to take direction;
(e) evidence of an ability to apply related artistic points of reference, e.g. television or music references;
(f) an ability to work in an ensemble.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

(a) Critical cross-field outcomes (generic to all teaching and learning)

The Undergraduate Diploma student is competent to:

Critically understand written texts of descriptive, prescriptive and argumentative characters;

Produce written texts of limited descriptive, prescriptive and argumentative characters to accepted international standards in his or her specific field of training (as these may exist at the time of his or her graduation);

Find information of professional relevance efficiently and independently;

Use and organize such information to conduct systematic research aimed at providing answers to questions whose resolutions are not antecendently known, or to verify answers that are assumed on the basis of 'accepted wisdom';

Understand and critically appreciate the contribution of major artistic and cultural activities and performances to community and national life;

Use information-technology standard in professional offices (at the time of his or her diplomation) efficiently and independently;

Use the internet to find and access information;

Understand when and how to acknowledge the limitations of his or her own expertise and elicit the more appropriate expertise of others;

Appreciate the importance of life-long learning and the importance of self-initiative in pursuing it;

Understand and internalise as a personal value the importance of conducting professional activity within the scope of national, provincial, municipal and international law.

(b) General outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the programme)

The Diplomate will be competent to

analyse and understand a variety of signifying practices that make up the weave of social and cultural life;

understand the historical dimensions of cultural and signification;

use a limited range of theoretical frameworks to evaluate phenomena critically and in a limited intellectually rigorous way;

read and interpret the visual, discursive, linguistic and cultural signs and stimuli in the world around him/her;

write and speak with some clarity and fluency, ideally n more than one language, but at least in English;

exercise imagination and creativity in a range of expressive activities.

(c) Specific Outcomes, including professional outcomes, contextually demonstrated

The PDT diplomate will be competent to:

perform a range of classical and contemporary theatre pieces in a variety of contexts and languages at a basic professional level;

conceptualise, create and produce original pieces of theatre and/or music theatre in a variety of contexts and languages at a basic professional level;

manage the technical and human resource aspects of theatre production;

use the voice effectively in a range of theatre / musical theatre contexts;

employ lateral thinking skills to transform/adapt knowledge and skills from the realm of 'pure' drama activity and research to other fields such as human resource development, the media industry, education;

appreciate the working and conventions of the theatre industry and the accepted standards of professional ethical practice operating in the industry.

In addition the PDT diplomate will be conversant with

a range of theoretical and performance traditions from different cultural contexts;

some elements of current performance theory and contemporary performance practice;

some philosophical, theoretical and methodological aspects of Drama in Education and Theatre for Development;

and will be competent to apply the above to:

critically analyse performance;

construct a theoretical argument at a basic level;

inform the student's own theatre and performance practice.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Student's achievement of the critical cross-field, general and specific learning outcomes will be assessed through a range of assessment methods in the final year (exit level) of the programme.

For the purpose of stipulating the criteria by which student performance will be assessed, this interim submission focuses on key sites of integrative assessment which are located in the final year core courses (see integrated assessment for full description of integrated assessment).

In relation to learning outcomes, students' performance on the final integrative assessment will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Ability to research and analyse a dramatic text towards performance;

Ability to plan and carry out a rehearsal process;

Ability to transform him/herself for a performance and from performance to performance;

Ability to develop an appropriate style of performance;

Ability to construct appropriate presence in time and space;

Ability to solve performance problems through the application of improvisational or formalised acting techniques;

Ability to engage creatively with other performers in an ensemble;

Ability to communicate a stage performance to an audience in line with a directorial concept;

Ability to plan, develop and sustain a vocal characterisation specific to a range of theatre texts and contexts demonstrating an understanding and use of:

breath control;

Phrasing

pitch range;

resonance;

articulation;

(b) ability tossing in a range of musical styles appropriate to current musical theatre practice;

ability to score a text for vocal performance;

ability to isolate and develop aspects of vocal work in response to performance needs;

ability to design, develop and sustain a physical performance specific to a range of theatre text and contexts, demonstrating an understanding of and use of:

physical transformation

physical extension;

the isolation and control of body parts;

the orientation and movement of the body in space;

the movement of the body in time;

ability to perform a variety of dance styles appropriate to current musical theatre practice;

(c) ability to conduct research appropriate to the creation of original theatre productions;

ability to generate textual material in a variety of forms using a variety of creative methodologies;

ability to select and structure textual material generated into an appropriate form demonstrating and understanding and use of:

style;

Structure;

Rhythm;

Space;

Line;

Musicality;

Performance energy.

Express a personal vision in terms of style and content;

Ability to produce original, small-scale theatre productions including the:

planning

fundraising;

administration of the run of the production in a theatre.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
The competencies (as set out in the Learning Outcomes) will be assessed by means of diverse combinations of formative and summative assessment methods. Written assignments will be assessed through class tests, short written reports and reflective performance journals. In written examinations, essays will be favours, both prepared and unprepared, with the occasional use of prepared diagrams and support material. In practical coursework, students will be set a variety of tutorial assignments on an ongoing basis. During the preparation of these assignments there will be a continuous evaluation of process by a tutor, and the performance of these assignments there will be verbal assessment by both staff and students.

In the final year of the PDT students will be assessed through their participation in a system of integrated assessment tasks including:
1. the performance of an audition programme reflecting a series of contrasting performance extracts;
2. the creation and performance of a piece of physical theatre;
3. participation in written examinations.

The student's performance in the above will be assessed on the basis of his/her ability to integrate the physical, vocal, emotional, intellectual, creative and inter-personal skills acquired through the individual courses of the programme in a coherent manner.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Title(s) of related qualification(s):
This programme has been design to allow maximum articulation with other programmes; in general, students may transfer vertically to the BA Theatre and Performance programme, providing that they achieve matriculation exemption prior to such transfer.

This qualification provides credits for the related qualification(s):
To other BA programme: YES, credit for degree level courses may be transferred.

Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific (please specify)

ENTRY TO THIS QUALIFICATION IN MID-STREAM:
Credit may be given, in terms of university rules, for courses completed.

EXIT FROM QUALIFICATION IN MID-STREAM:
Credit is given for courses completed.

OTHER HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES WHICH ARTICULATE WITH THIS QUALIFICATION WITHOUT 'GOING BACK TO SQUARE ONE':
Subject to the provisions of the Joint Statute, this work may be recognised by another institution in part fulfilment towards a similar degree.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The University of Cape Town has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the University of Cape Town will be used in a manner, which is consistent with the quality assurance system of the University.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	University of Cape Town