UCAS Code W440 BA/TP
Duration: 3 years (4 years with year abroad or year in industry)
Programme Catalogue
In Theatre and Performance we seek to engage students both intellectually and creatively. Through a combination of lectures, practical workshops and seminars, students explore both the practices and processes of performance and conduct a theoretical interrogation of the subject. We encourage our students to develop an appreciation of the role of theatre and performance within contemporary society and culture and to question how performance knowledge may develop in the future. Our aim is to enable students to become an articulate, reflective, creative and critically-aware practitioners. The creation, investigation and realisation of original work for performance lies at the centre of the programme.
You will be offered opportunities for projects and commissioned work in external contexts, particularly in connection with applied performance work in the wider community, for example, in schools, arts centres, museums, health and residential institutions. Links with organisations and institutions such as the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Opera North, Carriageworks and the National Coal Mining Museum provide an enrichment of your experience.
On this degree programme students undertake a dynamic combination of practical and theoretical work leading to the creation, investigation and realisation of original work for performance. The curriculum covers three key areas of practice:
Performance Technique: this addresses processes of the performer, and includes voice and movement, physical theatre, devising methods, ensemble practices and realisation of performance.
Text and Performance: this includes directing, writing for performance, dramaturgy and literary management.
Applied Performance: this addresses theatre and drama in educational contexts, interventionist performance, and community performance.
Students may work broadly across all three strands or choose to specialise in one or more area. The modules our students undertake encourages them to develop their own independent practice, enabling them to enter the creative market place or further study with strong specialist knowledge and understanding.
In common with the other students in the School, students on this programme develop understanding of the wider context of performance and the cultural industries, addressing key ideas, theoretical models and research methods in the field, and exploring the techniques and issues of creative interdisciplinary collaboration. This ensures a high level of understanding between the specialist degree programmes in the School and establishes the possibility for effective collaboration across the four undergraduate programmes.
In addition to specific subject knowledge, students develop generic skills in research, high level written and verbal communication, creativity, team working and problem solving.
In year 3 students have the opportunity to undertake a short period of study in a professional context within performance, the cultural industries, educational or other appropriate organisations.
Between Level 2 and Level 3, students can also opt to study an additional year in a professional industry context or at a university abroad.
Graduate opportunities
Further academic study, Writing, Performing, Directing, Education, Events organisation , Arts administration, Community arts work
The high-level generic and transferable skills our students develop also mean that they are suited to professional training in areas beyond the arts including finance, law and business.
- In summary, BA (Hons) Theatre and Performance students will develop:
- » Abilities in the theoretical interrogation and the practical realization of the practice of performance
- » An analytical and reflective approach to their work
- » Capability in working collaboratively with others
- » An appreciation of the role of theatre and performance within contemporary society and culture
- » Understanding of the structure, organisation and opportunities within the performance industries
- » Capability in personal development planning and planning their own career options