BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice

The BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice Programme is an interdisciplinary performance-making degree focused on the generation of new and original performances that sit outside of traditional theatre. The programme aims to develop socially engaged artists who can make a contribution in the world as performance-makers, educators, advocates and active citizens. The programme is committed to exploring the ecological and social function of performance and how performance can be an “act of community”. While studying the four-year CPP programme students encounter a range of concepts including social practice, live art, performance art, post-dramatic performance, installation, performance research, site-specific and documentary practices. The diversity of practices means that students are equipped with multiple skills, not only in performance-making but also in facilitation, working in communities and collaboration. The student journey over the four years begins with The Ego-centric Artist: Digging From Where You Stand in first year. After beginning with devising autobiographical work, in second year students move out from the idea of the “self” and begin to work in communities and educational context framed as The Socio-centric Artist: Radical Pedagogy in Action. Third year is The Researching Artist: An Ecology of Mind where students undertake performance research projects and the final year of study is The Eco-centric Artist: Living a Sustainable Practice where they do their degree show (at the Into the New festival) and also chose from a range of Artist Commissions including working in prisons, directing, undertaking a secondment or making site-specific work. As the student progresses through the programme their learning becomes more autonomous and they begin to clearly define and situate their own arts practice within various contexts. Assessments range from making performance (solo and collaboratively), creating artist statements, writing performance analyses, planning and facilitating workshops, devising and undertaking a performance research project, constructing a professional portfolio, and many other things – every day is different! A highlight of the programme is the community of practice which is fostered through site-specific trips, weekly coffee gatherings, the programme’s Into the New and Propel festivals and our annual week-long Creative Residential Retreat in the Borders of Scotland.

A level
Passes in two subjects at A level Subjects required are: • English or Drama at A Level

Scottish Higher
Passes in three subjects at Higher level Subjects required are: • English or Drama at Higher