Drama and Theatre Arts – (B.A.)

Contents

First year

This is a foundation year and helps students to acquire a common language of analysis and performance, as well as skills in costume, stage management, and lighting and sound. There is no public performance, but practical courses are offered in Improvisation, Movement and Performance Techniques, as well as those that look at approaches to text through the work of a number of 20th-century theatre practitioners.

Second year

The second year builds on the foundation work of the first year and also provides opportunities to develop practical specialisms in areas such as Directing, Playwriting, Physical Theatre, Advanced Acting, Mask and Mime, as well as choosing study options in subjects as diverse as Shakespeare on Film; Performing Objects – Puppets, Automata, Robots; Melodrama; and Contemporary Performance. Practical modules are taught by core staff and visiting professional practitioners; study modules are taught by academic staff who are researching and publishing in that particular field of inquiry.

Third year

Practical and study options are available as outlined in the second year. In addition, students can opt to take part in one of a series of public performances as one of their major practical options. These productions are directed by experienced members of staff or visiting professional directors and are supported by our full-time production staff and theatre crafts students. They can range from contemporary or historical texts, to devised, site-specific pieces, to theatre in education productions.
We have work familiarisation opportunities available with the BBC Drama Village for second- and third-year students. There are also work experience placements available at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Birmingham Hippodrome.