Higher Studies in Dramatic Art (II): admission tests

Here you have the second part of the Higher Studies in Dramatic Art in whish is presented the admission exam of scenery speciality.

To enter into the Higher studies of Dramatic Art, in this case, in the scenery's speciality, it is necessary to take an admission exam consisting of two tests: test A, divided into two (block A1 and A2) and test B.

Block A1, is common to all the specialities and will consist of two exercises: a text commentary and an image analyses. The purpose of the text comment is to test the knowledge of the applicant regarding the theatrical event. On the other hand, the image analysis aims resides on testing the knowledge of the applicant regarding the visual language.

Block A2 consists of 3 exercises: a firt exercise that consists of solving a complete dihedral system exercise, a second exercise which consists of making a freehand natural drawing according to realistic criteria and strategies, and a third exercise consisting of a technical drawing exercise with digital tools (AutoCAD).

In the dihedral system exercise, clarity and neatness in the resolution will be valued; in the natural drawing exercise the proper control of proportions, the perspective and light effects, speed in the fitting or proportions and volumes and sensitivity in the translation of the values of the materials will be valued; and finally, in the technical drawing exercise its complete and correct resolution will be valued, as well as the agility and efficiency with the drawing.

Test B consists of a single exercise divided into four blocks. In this exercise, the applicant must prepare, develop, present and justify a proposal for a scenographic design (space, light and character) according to the triggers and conditions established by the evaluation commission. 

The four blocks are: the written justification of the proposal, the justification of the sources used, the proposal's presentation and the oral defense of the proposal. Firstly, in the written justification, the applicant must prepare a written memory relating the dramaturgical parameters which have been proposed in relation to the proposal that must be designed justifiying the correpondences or analogies between the concepts and the space, light and character elements. Secondly, the justification of the sources used consists of documenting the information an the reference considered appropiate, based on the proposed statement. Thirdly, in the presentation of the proposal the applicant must represent the scenographic proposal and present all the preparatory documentation (sketches). And, finally, the fourth block, the oral defense of the proposal, in wich the applicant must present their work to the evaluating commission.

Web pages and online documents consulted:

• Entrance exams to the academic year 2015-2016 specializing in scenery. Escola Superior d'Art Dramátic. Institut del Teatre. Diputació de Barcelona. https://www.institutdelteatre.cat/ca/files/doc1070/bases-escenografia-esad-septiembre-2015.pdf. Retrieved on 2017, October 2.

Visual sorurces used:

• Photograph of a decoration of a cementery, by Jesús Morgado , taken from the webside: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:DecoradoCementerio.jpg

Higher studies in Dramatic Art (I):Competencies and contents.

Theatre is a world in where, through fiction and the representation of different imaginary situations, one could ends up discovering themselves. If you are one of those people who want to enter into this world and make it your vocation, I encourage you to read this post about the Higher Studies in Dramatic Art.

The Higher Studies in Dramatic Art allow the development of the following competencies, between others:

1. Promote the expression and personal creation, integrating the theoretical, technical and practical knowledge acquired.
2. Conceive scenic proposals that underlie the show, generating and analyzing concepts, texts and pictures.
3. Project the design of the performance, using all the necessary esthetic and technical skills of the distinct languages.
4. Master the expressive resources which are imperative to the interpretation's development.
5. Participate in the creation of a secene or character and interpret it, By mastering the different interpretative  techniques.

Referring to the contents treated throughout the Higher Studies of Dramatic Art, there are four common subjects for all the specialities (Stage Direction and Dramaturgy, Set Design and Interpretation), which are: Production and management, Theories of the show and communication, Pedagogy and History of the performing arts.

Then there is, also, aseries of subjects whic are specific to each speciality. Among this subject, there are the following: Stage practices, Dramatic writing practices, Stage performance, Interpretation methods, Actors conduction, Stage design, Scenic surraundings, Lighting and Character design, Music and Sound atmosphere, Technology applied to the Performing arts, Aesthetics, History and theory of Dramatic Literature, Set design and Set design practices.

Web pages and online documents consulted:

• Royal Decree 630/2010, of May 14, which regulates the basic content of the higher artistic of  Dramatic Art Degree, established in Organic Law 2/2006, of May 3, on Education: https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2010/06/05/pdfs/BOE-A-2010-8954.pdf

Visual sources used:

• Photography of theather classes taken from the website: https://madridfree.com/clases-de-teatro-2/