BA (Hons) Drama and Performance
- UCAS code: W491
- Mode of study: Full time or sandwich with work placement
- Duration: 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry requirements 2013: 240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent. A qualification or experience in Performing Arts is required. Points achieved from grade 6 or above Music Examinations are acceptable.
- Please see details of the range of other qualifications that will also be considered on the 'Entry Requirements' tab below. Please do contact us for advice on other qualifications that aren't listed here.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 4475
Email: create.admissions@port.ac.uk
Department: School of Creative Arts, Film and Media (SCAFM)
Course overview
This course combines practical and theoretical approaches to the study of various aspects of performance. It provides an opportunity to engage with a range of traditional and contemporary practices and diverse theatre practitioners, as well as strongly encourages you to produce and perform your own original performance work in our own studio theatre.
A unique feature of this course gives you the opportunity to specialise in one of three key pathways:
- musical theatre
- interdisciplinary performance
- contemporary theatre
Course content
Year one
The first year is intended to set you up with a broad platform of understanding, skills and knowledge from which to pursue more focused work in the second and third years. Core units will establish the basics of studying performance and acquiring basic practical skills, then you can opt to take one of the following pathways, which will enable you to study a specialist introduction to your chosen area:
- musical theatre
- interdisciplinary performance
- contemporary theatre
Units
Milestones introduces key moments in drama and performance history.
Text and Practice will help you develop crucial academic and critical skills.
Studying Performance covers some of the key methodologies for exploring performance.
Tutor-led Project offers a chance to put on a show, directed by a staff member and rehearsed in an intensive two-week process.
Devised Project gives you a chance to create and perform your own devised show.
Practical Skills introduces you to the basic practical skills required in drama and performance, and specifically in the pathway area of your choice (musical theatre, interdisciplinary performance or contemporary theatre).
Year two
Most of the units in Year two span the whole academic year. You will take six 20-credit units.
There are three core units: two aim to develop your understanding of project-based work and one is a theoretical unit enabling you to develop your theoretical and critical skills. A further two units will be pathway specific, enabling you to develop skills in musical theatre, interdisciplinary performance or contemporary theatre, as well as build up your CV for future job opportunities.
Throughout this year there is also the opportunity to develop a real understanding of how the practicalities of the industry work, from running a venue to organising budgets, and from planning a tour to negotiating contracts.
Units
Project Preparation enables you to develop and prepare a practice as research project, focusing on organisational and teamwork skills.
Performance Project is a student-led and directed project with the supervision of the staff team, using the materials prepared in the Project Preparation unit.
Interdisciplinary and Critical Approaches will enable you to develop your critical understanding ready for your dissertation project in your final year.
The pathway units include:
- Drama in Context
- Theatre Skills
- Interdisciplinary Performance
- Interdisciplinarity in Context
- Musical Theatre Skills
- Musical Theatre in Context
Contemporary theatre students will explore some of the events, movements and innovations that have taken place in theatre. Students will also be able to develop a specialist skill in either performing, directing, production or dramaturgy.
Interdisciplinary performance students will explore contemporary performance and production in light of new technologies and the developments of new approaches, whilst recognising the history of performance and how our practice has been inspired. Interdisciplinary approaches include many influences from the fine arts, philosophy, theatre and dance.
Musical theatre students will look at how musical theatre in a variety of forms has been created and will create their own original work. They will also have the opportunity to develop a specialist skill in performing, directing, musical directing, production or dramaturgy.
Year three
In your final year, your practice becomes industry based. You will work with outside communities on applied theatre projects, form your own theatre company or gain experience on a work placement. You can also create a final practical piece or continue studying contemporary issues in drama and performance. Your dissertation completes your degree course, leaving you set up for the next stage in your career.
Units
Post-dramatic Performance looks at the most up-to-date forms of theatre and how they are questioning the ideas that seem the very foundation of this area.
Applied Theatre explores how theatre can be used in other environments.
Forming a Company enables you to form your own theatre company and take your practice out into the world.
Dissertation gives you the chance to complete an extended piece of writing based on a research project of your choice.
Studio Project provides an opportunity for you to work individually on your own studio-based project.
Teaching and assessment
All of our courses are highly practical and we are big believers in learning through doing. Of course, the best way to develop an understanding of practice is to reflect on it critically and consider how other proven experts have worked. So our courses maintain a healthy balance between practice and theory. The precise balance will be up to you, though most students find themselves engaged in at least one practical project at any given time.
As well as the practical work that is part of the curriculum, there are numerous opportunities to perform or put on shows outside the confines of your course. One student managed to get involved in 54 productions over three years, so you can see what is possible. There are theatre and production companies run by both staff and students in the School, and all the creative arts staff are themselves practitioners, many of whom continue to work actively in the industry.
Students at Portsmouth also experience considerable intellectual freedom and choice. The specialist options are built into the programme to enable a great degree of freedom and personal exploration.
All of our students have a personal tutor as well as a year tutor. Each full-time member of staff has two designated office hours per week when you can make an appointment to see them, and you will also have regular contact with your personal tutor in your core units. In the third year you will have a dissertation tutor who you can see regularly for guidance on writing up your project
Overall, we have sought to develop assessments that allow you to demonstrate a range of skills and talents. These can involve practical productions, dramatic writing, essays, video productions or group presentations. At the end of the course you will write a dissertation. This will give you the opportunity to engage in a sustained and developed research exercise.
Career prospects
Our course is deliberately intended to develop skills that will help you create your own working opportunities or gain employment in one of the many aspects of the theatre industry.
Graduates have gone on to professional careers as producers, playwrights and production managers in the world of theatre; others have formed events companies, found work in media and arts organisations or followed careers in teaching. Many have also pursued further courses in vocational performer training or postgraduate opportunities here in Portsmouth or elsewhere.
Facilities and features
You will have access to our main studio, which is a fully workable black box space, with flexible seating accommodating up to 60 audience members. A second purpose-built space offers an adaptable experimental space. We have a number of other rehearsal facilities kitted out with lighting, as well as a sound recording booth, a video editing suite and music practice rooms equipped with pianos.
We regularly welcome guest speakers and practitioners into the School. Previous speakers have included Sheila Hancock, Edward Bond, Mark Ravenhill, David Edgar, Howard Brenton, Michelene Wandor, the Fecund Theatre Company, Pete Wyer, Yvon Bonenfant, the Solent People's Theatre and the Big Brum Theatre.
The University also has a very close connection with professional theatres and theatre companies in and around Portsmouth, particularly the New Theatre Royal. In recent years, students have been able to make the most out of these relationships through performing or staging productions at the theatre, finding part-time employment at the box office or front of house, or working alongside the theatre professionals as part of their course to programme events, understand the basics of marketing or engage with outreach activities organised within the city.