Drama and Theatre Arts first year modules

Compulsory modules

Engaging Performance

Engaging Performance focuses on developing and enhancing students’ analytical, writing and research skills. In this module they will be asked to become critical readers of the content of performance and put the skills and knowledge they learn in other modules into practice through various set tasks throughout the semester.

Landmarks in Theatre and Performance

The module aims to provide students with a conceptual and critical language with which to analyse dramatic works and theatrical performance. This will be achieved by looking at a range of theatrical and performance works (including dance) that can be considered 'landmark' works from the late nineteenth century to the present. The module will consider the factors that make each work ground-breaking, such as the introduction of new forms to theatre and performance associated with Modernism (e.g. Naturalism, Epic Theatre, Expressionism); elements that broke societal conventions; and works that caused a disruption in received ways of understanding and experiencing live performance. In each case attention will be paid to the historical and cultural context from which the work emerged, or where relevant the practitioner with which the work is associated.

Performance: Theory, Practice and Critique

This module aims to equip students with a basic understanding of the relationship between theatre, culture, performance and politics. Over the course of the module, students develop an awareness of and the ability to apply different methodological approaches to their own work and the work of others.

Studio Practice

This module aims to prepare students as artists, theatre and performance makers by opening up a space for experimentation and enquiry, and building their skills through attention to key principles of performance and theatre (for example: presence, focus, responsiveness/listening, full embodiment, psychophysical impulse).

Theatre and Performance Practice

Through practical classes, students are introduced to approaches for creating performance and theatre as part of an ensemble, and various rehearsal methodologies that foster collective creation spanning acting and devising approaches. The module includes aspects of vocal, physical, textual and character work; students will acquire individual skills and be introduced to ensemble work and group/individual projects.

Theatre Crafts

The course is a broad based introduction to technical theatre covering the areas of Stage Technologies, Design and Stage management. The course includes practical instruction in the use of equipment, formal teaching in each of the three areas and practical work on Drama Department productions.