Drama and Performance BA (Hons)

Modules

The course is 45% assessed by coursework and 55% assessed through practical exam.

You'll develop skills and techniques in acting, directing and writing through workshops with theatre professionals and lecturers. You'll write and perform a monologue, participate in an actor's scene study and ensemble devised performances. You'll also collaborate on a workshop production with fellow students. Practical learning is supplemented with critical thinking, analysis and reading on performance history, context and theory.

• Performance laboratory 1
• Text into performance
• Twentieth century theatre practice
• Performance histories
• Writing, performance and the subject
  You'll explore and experiment with written language forms in relation to notion of self and subject through the exploration of different writing and performance genres, specifically (but not exclusively) of a script based nature. You'll be introduced to ideas, histories and theories of language, as well as examining a variety of writings from different cultural and historical contexts, such as diaries, journals, autobiographies and song lyrics, as well as confessional fictional and poetic forms including the live monologue.
• Systems of rehearsal: the actor
  You'll be introduced to the Stanislavski System of training for the actor. You'll investigate the artistic processes involved in creating a role from rehearsal through to performance and will work to the standards of the professional rehearsal room. You'll earn about the historical collaboration between the writers and practitioners of the 19th century and engage actively and creatively in the process of building a role.

You'll develop your professional CV by taking part in a Student Theatre Company production. You'll work with a professional theatre team including director, production manager and designer. The student company will take on all aspects of the performance and production including: performing, lighting, design, marketing, publicity, event management and box office. You'll also focus on innovative modes of contemporary performance during modules on multi-media technologies in performance, contemporary theatre adaptation and experimental theatre practice. You'll develop your movement and technical skills with an intensive artistic residency with physical theatre company, Frantic Assembly.

• Professional theatre company productions
• Performance laboratory 2
• Multimedia performance
  You'll explore multimedia approaches to performance in group and solo contexts. You'll explore how a video camera may be used not only to document work, but also as an integral part of a performance. Technologies such as projection and software will also be interrogated. We'll ask what the implications are for the role of the actor in the light of an increasing reliance on digitisation/CGI and how this affects our notion of 'live' performance. Our points of reference will also encompass discussion regarding the increasing use of surveillance in contemporary culture.
• Practices of adaptation
  This module provides an in-depth theoretical overview of the contemporary practice of adapting 'classic' texts for new stages and audiences. The module also looks forward to Level 6 by providing you with an opportunity to develop a mini-dissertation and to write at some length about a specific area of theatre practice.
• Physical theatres
  This is a skills-based module that develops flexibility, strength, co-ordination and physical and dance theatre techniques leading to a series of presentations and open rehearsal based on the professional practice of a company or practitioner. You'll be provided with an effective introduction to physical scripting and an exploration of the bodily memory. This module uncovers a performer's physical personality and presence on stage, to prepare work from a physical and instinctual base.

You'll begin to articulate your own practice as a theatre artist, developing a large scale independent performance project focused on your strengths and interests. You'll also take part in professional workshops on composition for performance preparing you to enter the working world as a creative practitioner.

• Creative strategies
• Professional toolkit
• Independent performance project
• Research project
  This module will allow students to undertake detailed research into a specific area of theatre history, theory or practice. Students will select an area for in-depth study and be assigned a tutor who will help them plan, research and structure their work. The HiResearch Project (IRP) will enable students to acquire a wide range of research and analytical skills. Its aim is for students to produce a coherently argument extended essay that integrates independent thinking and research and provides a foundation for further academic study and research in this area. Students will be encouraged to make use of their previous theoretical and practical study of drama and performance.
• Independent practice as research project
  This module aims to allow students to develop and present an advanced independent practice as research project, which represents a summation of their practical and research interests on the course. Students will be working on creating a 6000-8000 word practice as research dissertation, on a topic of their choice. The project will involve a small practical element – which could be a practical workshop/exploration/presentation/panel discussion, etc. - which is then critically framed in the context of a written theoretical paper. Students will work independently under the supervision of a tutor.