Theatre Studies and Creative Writing

The Theatre Studies and Creative Writing BA aims to prepare articulate, discerning and critically aware scholars of theatre and performance, and skilled, confident, creative writers. The course will help you develop a deep understanding of key periods, themes, styles and techniques in theatre studies and hone your creative writing skills. The degree will equip you to utilise your learning in both creative and critical forms, whilst developing your general analytical skills and critical thinking, and bringing your written and spoken academic English to a sophisticated level. You will have the opportunity to examine theatrical, performance and critical texts (in the broadest understanding of the term) of all periods, from the Early Modern to the present day. This examination vitally includes trips to the theatre, to performances and to see creative artists speak about their work. You will have the chance to make extensive use of London to enhance your learning environment, by visiting its theatres, performances spaces, galleries, museums, and by taking part in active and vibrant cultural debates. The course takes in a wide range of writers, thinkers and performers, thus allowing students to get a detailed and coherent sense of the fields of theatre and performance studies. The degree works to integrate the two subjects and to allow both the study of theatre and the study of creative writing practices to inform each other in learning and in teaching. By the end of the course you will have a detailed and coherent understanding of current priorities and debates in each discipline. The course will also give you the opportunity to consider the theoretical tools of performance analysis in detail and to think both critically and imaginatively about your creative work. You will develop advanced skills in: reading and interpreting theatrical and performance texts in their cultural contexts; analysing the specific genres and forms of a variety of significant creative