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ATS2307 · Improvisation in performance

Official Handbook

2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 2Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance

Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTC

Overview

This unit works from the premise that improvisation underpins contemporary performance practice in music and theatre. Students will be introduced to a series of improvisation techniques and strategies that draw on the body, gesture and movement, image and symbol, sound, and word in individual and collaborative performing arts practice. They will also explore key concepts of improvisation such as communication, elaboration, extension, agreement and inclusion, rhythm, limitation, and problem solving and their application to a range of performing arts contexts, as well as their usefulness in a number of industries. The cross-disciplinary nature of the unit will enable collaborative improvisatory practices and provide students with opportunity to work within and across performance genres.

Areas of study: Critical performance studies Music

Offerings

The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

#AssessmentTypeWeightHurdle
1In-class TestQuiz / Test30%
2Creative TaskWritten30%
3Creative TaskPortfolio40%

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

prohibitions

  • ATS3307 — Improvisation in performance practice

Learning outcomes

  1. Analyse and explain key concepts, strategies and techniques of improvisation and their use in a range of performing arts practice
  2. Critically evaluate the role that improvisation plays in contemporary music and theatre performance
  3. Create original performance work that showcases the role and importance of improvisation in contemporary performance and other industries.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

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