Course summary

This unique and enterprising course is built around preparing students to work in the expanding world of applied theatre, creating new drama with and for young people and community groups, and using theatre as a way of making a real difference. The focus is on developing all of the skills needed to create compelling new performances and valuable and effective theatre projects. You will cover all the various skills of performance – acting, movement, voice and singing – but beyond that also address the whole of theatre-making: group devising, writing, facilitation, producing, funding and administration. You will be equipped to create your own work, telling the stories that are most important to you, and also with the skills to make it happen. The majority of what you will learn on the course will be through practical experience – working with professional practitioners – and in real contexts, with communities responding to actual need. The final year is all about preparing for employment or freelance work as a confident and skilled practitioner. The course currently has important partnerships with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Big Brum TIE Co, The Playhouse, Loudmouth, Geese, Open Theatre and more than 60 professional companies in the Birmingham area. We also have strong links with a wide range of practitioners, both nationally and internationally. In the second year, every student has a full-time placement with one of these companies for six to eight weeks, which is a crucial part of your preparation to graduate as accomplished applied theatre-makers – to go out and change the world.