Theatre and Performance

Entry Criteria

Entry Requirements

For 2021 entry, you will need 96 UCAS Tariff points.

Additional Entry Requirements

All suitable candidates will be invited to attend an audition and interview. This is designed to be an informal meeting, providing you with the opportunity to see if this degree is suitable for your needs. It will also offer the course team the opportunity to discuss and view your career prospects.

Information for International Applicants

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.

Year 1

Modules

TH1101 Devising and Performing (40 credits)

For this module, you will participate in a series of practical workshops leading to three performance projects. The work will explore contemporary practitioners and current performance practice, different methodologies for devising work, alternative methods for presenting work, and performance skills.

TH1102 Performance Techniques (20 credits)

You will develop your performance skills through the exploration of major styles and the craft of performance. Research, both practical and theoretical, into various performance styles and practitioners will be used to inform your own performance skills.

TH1104 Theatre Directing (20 credits)

This module is divided into three sections; text analysis, staging and composition and production techniques.

Text Analysis

This concentrates on the dramatic form. A series of plays and directors are analysed and you are introduced to practitioners such as Konstantin Stanislavski, Bertolt Brecht, Katie Mitchell and Antonin Artaud.

Staging and Composition

This focuses on stage configurations and design. Each director works on a suitable performance piece and begins to translate their ideas about the piece into stage action. Methods of working with the actor in the rehearsal process are also discussed here.

Production Techniques

This concentrates on the actual mounting of a suitable performance piece. Each director is responsible for negotiating the piece with their tutor, doing preproduction research and analysis, auditioning and casting the piece from a pool of college actors, and guiding the production through the rehearsal process.

RP1101 Contextual Studies (20 credits)

Contextual studies will examine theatre and performance during the 20th Century, pre-1969. A series of lectures will trace the development of theatre and performance during this period and provide the cultural, socio-economic and historical perspective of theatrical activity.

During semester 1, you will explore a range of key 20th Century movements and how they relate to performance. The module will start with a general introduction to Modernism before moving into individual art movements such as Futurism, Bauhaus, Dada and Surrealism, as well as Happenings and the beginnings of Performance Art. In small groups, you will create a 10-minute performance which reflects your understanding of one of these movements.

In semester 2, the focus will be on the work of key theatre/dance practitioners of the period placing their work within a social context.

RP1102 Personal, Academic and Professional Practice (20 credits)

This module focusses on enabling you to become a more effective learner. A range of study and key transferable skills will be explored through individual and group activities. The delivered curriculum will be further supported by access to online web-based material and information/guidance and activities. Tutorial activity will support the development and maintenance of your Personal Development Plan and related progress file.

The module will also cover 'cultural entrepreneurship' exploring what cultural entrepreneurship is and how cultural entrepreneurs work. Here, you will learn how to start up a theatre or performance-based business, taking into consideration; finance, marketing and the nature of the industry.

Year 2

Modules

TH2101 Environments for Performance (40 credits)

This module covers the exploration of alternative environments for performance events, outside of established theatre venues. A series of lectures and practical workshops will introduce creating performances and related activities with, or for, target audiences.

Practical work will focus on the appropriate application of research, devising/shaping material to a brief, workshop facilitation skills, rehearsing and performing material that is accessible and challenging for the target audience.

TH2102 Multi-Disciplinary Performance (40 credits)

You will develop your knowledge of, and skills in, contemporary performance practice. The focus will be on exploring new possibilities for the integration of different disciplines within devising and performance and the acquisition of new skills. Technique classes to support this will cover sound, movement, visuals, performance texts and the use of new technologies including computer-aided editing techniques and projection. Practitioners whose work has been significant to the development of late 20th/early 21st Century performance will be covered.

TH2103 Final Performance Project (20 credits)

This module requires you to negotiate, prepare and perform work/s in a setting/style most appropriate to your chosen career path. This module is almost entirely student-led and you will be expected to work largely independently.

After the initial introductory sessions, you will only have contact with the module leader through bookable tutorials. Although the lecturers will be around during the session times to assess your contribution, it is expected that you will work as much as possible without their input.

You may choose to work in groups or on a solo project. The project itself is determined by you, although you will have to submit a proposal at the beginning of the module. You may wish to direct or perform, in an already published text. Alternatively, you may wish to devise a new piece of work, in any format, for (or with) a chosen audience.

You may choose to work with others from your peer group, or alternatively, you could work with people from outside of the degree, or even outside of University Centre St Helens. As a student group, you will be responsible for undertaking the entire organisation, administration and operation of the event(s).

As near as possible within the confines of an educational environment, this module will replicate the experience of working independently in the profession.

RP2101 Contemporary Theatre Studies (20 credits)

This module will continue the study of contemporary theatre and performance following on from the contextual studies module (RP1101). You will explore a broad range of work that falls within the contemporary canon post-1969.

Building on knowledge developed, this module will require you to define a key question(s) that will prompt research and focus the structure and content of an extended written analysis on a negotiated topic, related to contemporary theatre practice. The focus of the work carried out should be on scholarly investigation rather than the simple acquisition of information and your research will be used to answer your set questions.

During your second year, you will have the opportunity to support St Helens College's level 3 BTEC students with their productions, providing backstage support in all areas of lighting, sound and set.

Careers and Progression Routes

Career Prospects

Successful completion of this degree will provide you with a platform for employment in many different areas of the contemporary theatre industry.

The degree is intentionally varied and flexible, in order to allow you to develop your individual career aspirations. As such, successful graduates have gone on to further study or professional work in community arts, acting, solo performance work, teaching, theatre production, comedy writing and touring theatre companies.

Progression Routes

As well as providing a platform for entry into the theatre and performance industry, this degree also offers the opportunity to move on to the third year of the BA (Hons) Theatre and Performance at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to top-up your qualification. To move on to the BA (Hons) with UCLan, a new application will need to be made.

Typical Careers

As a graduate, you may have the opportunity to progress into a range of careers, including:

• Performer
• Choreographer
• Stage Manager
• Theatre Maker

Finance

Full-time

For 2021 entry, tuition fees for full-time study are £7,750 per year.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available in our University Centre St Helens Policies and Procedures section.

For more in-depth information on the application process, please visit our guidance page.

Financial Support

Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.

Additional Costs

Below sets out examples of extra costs you may incur on this programme of study to enhance your studies.

Apply

How to Apply

Apply online through UCAS using institution code S51 and course code W440.

Visit Us

We are more than happy to arrange a visit to University Centre St Helens, where you will have the opportunity to speak to our lecturers, tour our campus and facilities and discuss your finance options. Get in touch with our Enquiries Team, using the contact details below, to arrange a visit.

Request a Higher Education Guide

Get an overview of the benefits of studying at University Centre St Helens and explore our full range of degrees before you apply. You can view and download our Higher Education Guide by visiting this section.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about this degree or would like to arrange a visit to University Centre St Helens, please contact:

Tel: 0800 99 66 99
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