Theatre, made well, changes us. Whether you want to focus on performing, directing, playwriting, or applied theatre, join us to shape the theatre industry of the future. You will combine practice and theory to support your creative risk-taking and develop an original voice through your own innovative practical work.
Why Lancaster?
- Benefit from a forward-thinking curriculum that is firmly based on the skills and knowledge that will be needed in the theatre industry in years to come
- Tailor your studies by specialising in your chosen area of theatre such as acting, scenography, scriptwriting, directing or applied and community performance
- Enjoy a practical course where you can bring your theoretical ideas to life in imaginative ways in our studios
- Take advantage of regular networking opportunities with professional theatres and arts organisations in Lancaster and beyond
- Choose a course that expertly combines practical skills with contextual knowledge, giving you a strong understanding of 21st century theatre and how it can impact society
The future of theatre
In this course, we look to the future. Theatre can take place in front of large audiences in dedicated performance venues, but it can also happen all around us – on the street, in community centres, in prisons and schools. When done well, theatre can have a transformative impact on individuals, communities and society. And you can be part of that.
Focussing on the emerging trends and innovations of 21st-century theatre and performance, we will teach you the building blocks of performance making, whilst supporting your ability to develop highly creative, challenging and impactful work.
You will engage in collaborative group performances throughout the course, allowing you to specialise in what you enjoy the most. You might choose to focus on acting, building your confidence on stage, perfecting your characterisation and portraying that character through performance. You could opt to work in pre-production, playwriting or script writing, or even scenography, designing sets and scenes that bring your production to life.
You may see yourself behind the scenes, directing those on stage and managing production from start to finish. You can make this course your own.
As you progress through the course, you will be able to choose thematic areas of focus, for example, theatre for social change, intermedial theatre, text-based performance, and environmental performance. You will also be trained on topics such as sustainability, inclusivity, and creative entrepreneurship – equipping you with vital skills that will help you to shape the theatre industry of the future.
The freedom to perform
The performance work you create will span a wide array of forms and styles. Most of your learning will be practical, collaborating with others to create projects such as performance pieces, practical presentations, creative portfolios, and contemporary writing and communication projects such as blogs and podcasts. At other times, you will learn through lectures and seminars given by our expert team. Through this, you will develop your knowledge of recent theatre developments and learn to critically evaluate the impact of theatrical performance on global societies.
You will also have the option to study aspects of the Creative Industries, learning essential skills such as project management and funding applications, and how to ensure theatre is accessible and inclusive.
You will often work in professional theatre venues, including the Nuffield Theatre on the University campus. At other times you might be creating work in the natural environment surrounding campus, or within the urban landscapes of the city of Lancaster.
You will also have opportunities to participate in applied and community-based projects, working with socially and economically disadvantaged groups in the Lancaster region. For some students, this is the most inspiring part of the course.
A creative community
You will be taught by professional theatre practitioners and top academics, benefitting from their links to leading creative and cultural organisations, such as Arts Council national portfolio organisation, Lancaster Arts, and The Dukes Theatre with their Creative Communities programme.
You will have the opportunity to work with emerging and established experts in the industry through the programme of performances and workshops offered in the professional theatre venue on campus. In the past, we have had campus visits from theatre makers including theatre companies Forced Entertainment, and Imitating the Dog, and artist and activist Bobby Baker. You will also have opportunities to join staff-led theatre trips to important productions – both locally and further afield.