Basics of Prose Interpretation WSL/ATL/PIP
The course Fundamentals of Prose Interpretation focuses on working with selected texts from contemporary Polish and world prose.
Prose from the late 20th century, and especially from the 21st century, is often the closest in language and content to first-year acting students. Therefore, it serves as excellent material for exploring the fundamental issues related to the actor’s interpretation of text.
The course includes lectures and practical classes devoted to the analysis of prose texts, interpretation of selected excerpts, stimulation of the student’s imagination, and ultimately, translating these discoveries into an actor’s performance.
Course topics and issues include:
1. Selection and analysis of texts from Polish and world prose of the late 20th and 21st centuries.
2. Developing one’s own interpretive assumptions, including:
• What is acting interpretation, and how does it differ from other types of textual interpretation?
• The concept of stage truth: what makes us believe or disbelieve an actor?
• The idea of given circumstances.
• Intention: identifying and naming the actor’s purpose in delivering a specific text.
• Focusing students’ attention on what they communicate through the text rather than how they do it; working on overcoming habits such as “playing emotions.”
• The importance of subtext in communication.
• Understanding the concept of phrase and what it means to “speak in phrases.”
• Correct accentuation and intonation.
• How to speak so as to be heard and understood: the role of projection and articulation in an actor’s presentation.
3. Acting improvisations, including:
• The actor’s presence – exercises in awareness and staying “here and now”; work on concentration.
• Experimental changes in interpretive assumptions to develop imagination and acting flexibility.
4. Basic body awareness exercises essential for working with text as an actor:
• How body posture affects the delivery of text.
• Movement in stage space.
• Relaxation exercises aimed at reducing physical tension.
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Term 2025/26-Z:
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Course coordinators
Term 2024/25-Z: | Term 2025/26-Z: |
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
The student:
- possesses a thorough knowledge of the literature discussed during the course and deepens this knowledge through individual study (K_W01, K_W03);
- distinguishes between literary genres and types and knows their characteristics (K_W01);
- is familiar with the historical and cultural context of the works studied in class (K_W01, K_W04);
- knows the basic concepts related to the theory of the literary work (K_W01, K_W05);
- understands what acting interpretation of a text involves (K_W05);
- understands the relationship between theory and practice in acting work (K_W11).
Skills:
The student:
- independently conducts content and formal analysis of a literary work (K_U02);
- consciously uses interpretative tools such as intonation, accent, and phrasing (K_U06, K_U07);
- is able to create an individual acting interpretation of a work, applying the principle of stage truth (K_U06);
- is able to move beyond the written text and improvise using verbal and non-verbal means of expression in accordance with an established artistic concept (K_U04);
- is able to establish contact with a partner and with the audience (K_U11).
Social Competences:
The student:
- demonstrates creativity in their work (K_K04);
- is open to the opinions of others (K_K01, K_K06);
- expresses their own views openly while respecting the dignity of other students (K_K02, K_K03);
- engages in self-evaluation and provides constructive feedback to others, accepting criticism as inspiration for seeking new solutions (K_K06);
- demonstrates discipline and responsibility in group work (K_K05).
Assessment criteria
The course is completed with a public presentation, during which the student presents an acting interpretation of a selected literary work.
The final grade also takes into account the entire process of work throughout the semester, including the student’s engagement in individual and group tasks, attitude toward the subject, and progress in learning.
Each student is allowed up to two unexcused absences. Exceeding this limit may result in failure to obtain credit for the course.
Bibliography
1. U. Hagen, Szacunek dla aktorstwa" wyd. PWSFTViT 2015
2. M. Czechow, "O technice aktora", wyd. Arche 2000
3. B. Chrząstowska, „Poetyka stosowana”, wyd. WSIP, 2000 - selected excerpts
4. S. Book, "Podręcznik dla aktorów". wyd. Wojciech Marzec, 2023
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Term 2025/26-Z:
None |
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes: