Theatre and Professional Practice

BA (Hons) Theatre and Professional Practice
Mode: full-time

This course gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the process of theatre-making, predominantly as an actor, director, playwright and/or workshop facilitator. You will be able to build up a wealth of professional experience, preparing you for a career as a creative theatre practitioner in the Cultural Industries today.

You will begin your experience of the course by working with a tutor to create a full-scale production for performance. Throughout stage one, you will work as an actor and deviser on a range of small-scale projects for various audiences. You will start to develop your understanding of the theoretical concepts that underpin your work.

At stage two, you will consider leadership roles, both theoretically and practically. You will have the opportunity to work as a director, and to plan a season of work that will be realised in small-scale companies in your third stage.

At stage three, you will work on three major projects: an independent research project, a small-scale touring production and a community-based project. Stage three will end with the Impact Festival at which you will present your work to a public audience.

Areas of study include:

• Acting
• Directing and Devising
• Analysis, Critical Theory and Interpretation of
• Drama and Theatre

Why choose this course?

• Perform in full-scale theatre productions; set up and run a small-scale touring company
• Excellent facilities including a new 280-seat theatre
• Theatre team of extremely dedicated individuals who have expertise in theatre practice, from playwriting, directing and acting to movement training
• Media-related courses ranked 3rd in the UK, according to the Guardian 2007

Career Opportunities

The Contemporary Theatre Practice course prepares students for employment in the Creative Industries. Graduates may be employed as actors, teachers, educational outreach workers or specialist trainers, which may supplement their work as small-scale theatre directors/managers, workshop programme creators, project managers or freelance directors.

Teaching/learning methods and strategies

Most of the teaching is delivered through workshops, practical classes and productions. You will also attend seminars, individual tutorials and lectures.

The University has excellent theatre facilities at the Bedford campus, including a brand new 260-seat theatre, and a studio theatre.

The theatre team consists of a group of extremely dedicated individuals, who -between them - share a wide range of professional expertise in theatre practice, ranging from play-writing, directing, and acting to movement training.

Assessment

Assessment focuses on practice supported through documentation. There are no written examinations on the course.