Course details

Principal study options

During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:

Single specialism

Only one instrument is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument formatively, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.

Instrument/specialisms

For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.

Modules

Creative and Collaborative Thinking Students will explore various methods of creative thinking and problem-solving, which will become the initial starting points for later development of new work. Weekly sessions will focus on case studies of performers, work or artists to critically analyse how research is used in the development of new work and in the telling of personal narratives or stories. Case studies may include practitioners such as Kate Tempest, Frantic Assembly, Pablo Helguera, Javaad Alipoor, debbie tucker green, Lin-Manuel Miranda or other contemporaries. This work will be student-led, tailored to the student’s area of interest. Students will interrogate the role of the dramaturg by pushing the boundaries of what makes theatre through collaborative work with the other MAs. Ensemble Devising This module aims to develop key skills in creating devised material within an ensemble setting. Actor Musicians, Actors and Dramaturgs will be encouraged to explore performance material created from personal storytelling, narrative and experiences, working in small companies on various projects. These practical sessions will be tutor-led, where students are taken through a range of methodologies to explore producing work using various storytelling techniques. As the students develop as an ensemble company producing their own work, they will be given the opportunity to run these small companies themselves. Students may explore practitioners/companies such as Red Ladder, Interplay, Frantic Assembly, Kneehigh and The Pappy Show, but will adapt and tailor techniques to their personal vision and intentions appropriate to postgraduate study. Dramaturgy students will help shape these pieces as the performers bring them to life. Dramaturgy and Dramatic Writing Through both practical and theory-based sessions, Dramaturgy students will work with leading practitioners, theatre-makers and literary departments to build their knowledge and develop their skills for careers in script development, practical theatre-making and writing. Students will deepen their understanding of the building blocks of performance; structure, character development, pace, tone, genre and language etc. In tutor-led sessions, students will learn the various ways to approach, analyse and develop texts, working with classics, adaptations, translations, contemporary plays and musicals, and (most importantly) new writing from both established and first-time writers. Students will also explore the role of the dramaturg in other theatrical practices; dance, opera and puppetry. Students will then be encouraged to develop their own process and practise through individual development of their own work. Major Project The Major Project will be developed over a term and will be a based on the student’s area of interest, culminating in a performance and/or sharing . Major projects can be in collaboration with other MA students from across the Theatre MA’s or something entirely individual.