Authorial Acting: short term studies (CZVD220001)

Goal description

The one-semester Authorial Acting: Short-Term Studies programme is designed for members of the general public with an active command of English and does not require proof of previous educational attainment. It offers practical study of psychosomatic disciplines over the course of one semester. The programme is based on the educational concept of the Department of Authorial Creation and Pedagogy (KATaP) at DAMU. It focuses on developing psychosomatic fitness through fundamental acting disciplines, including speech, movement, voice, and dialogical action.

The aim of the programme is an in-depth exploration of acting, authorship, and their constituent elements. At KATaP, acting is understood as the ability to act and to play, while authorship is viewed as the capacity for original thought and imagination. The programme fosters the development of creative individuals who are able to take responsibility for their artistic actions and cultivate them through dialogue with others.

Participants are required to complete three compulsory courses: Authorial Reading, Dialogical Action, and either Introduction to Authorial Acting or Introduction to Psychology, depending on whether they enrol in the winter or summer semester. A fourth course is a compulsory elective. According to their interests and focus, participants may choose either one of the movement-based courses (Education for Conscious Movement, Body in Motion, Movement as a Starting Point for Creation) or Individual Voice Training in Front of a Group.

In addition to the three compulsory courses and one compulsory elective, participants may enrol in one or two additional courses. This option is subject to timetable and capacity constraints and cannot be guaranteed. Participants may therefore complete up to six courses in total. An additional fee of CZK 5,000 is charged for each extra course. Examples include Acting Propaedeutics, Highlights of Czech Theatre, Interpretation Seminar, and other courses offered according to the study plans for the respective semester.

The basic tuition fee for the programme is CZK 50,000 (CZK 12,500 per course, four courses in total). The programme may be taken repeatedly or used as preparation for entrance examinations to the regular accredited full-time degree programme.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, participants become familiar with the expressive possibilities of individual psychosomatic disciplines, including movement, voice, speech, and dialogical action, and gain an understanding of how to further develop these skills. They acquire a basic practical understanding of the concept of “psychosomatic fitness” in the context of acting as well as public performance and communication. Graduates are able to independently create and present a simple stage composition in space.

Candidate's prerequisites

Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Admission to the programme always takes place at the official start of a semester within the given academic year. Applicants may enter either the winter or the summer semester.

Applicants attend a short interview, either online or in person, with the Head of the English-language Programme and the Head of the Department, and, where appropriate, with instructors responsible for individual psychosomatic disciplines. During the interview, applicants are asked about their motivation and previous experience. Prior acting or performance experience is not required; however, the interview serves as a basic assessment of the applicant’s suitability for the programme, including psychological and physical readiness, as well as a basic artistic sensibility.

Admission is subject to the availability of places in the programme.

Once the tuition fee has been paid in Czech currency (CZK), the applicant may begin their studies at the next available semester start date. It is not possible to join the programme in the middle of a semester. The start dates of semesters are determined by the academic calendar published on the DAMU website.

Conditions for completing

State final exam will not take place.