Programme Content
Year 1: Fundamental skills
You develop your skills as a theatre practitioner. Using improvisations, you devise original material and discover new approaches to the art of the performer. You learn about the practical processes involved in running workshops, including how to assess the most suitable format for different groups. You look at key social, political, economic and technological developments in the history of Community Drama practice. You also develop your skills in written and verbal argument.
Year 2: Facilitation and application
You build on your skills as a facilitator/director through classroom-based teaching, projects and practical experience in professional community contexts. You undertake an in-depth exploration of notions of community and identity utilising a variety of theoretical perspectives.
You develop your ability to plan and manage small-scale projects and, by the end of the year, you should feel comfortable running and evaluating a series of sessions over a number of weeks with a community group.
Major projects in this year include a Theatre in Education tour, a week-long school residency and a large-scale public performance project, developed and run in conjunction with a specific community group.
Year 3: Independent practice
You put into practice all the skills you have gained in enabling, devising and managing, by producing and realising community-based projects through self-directed activity. You investigate the potential of drama to create change by working with community groups to facilitate a Theatre for Democracy event. You develop a critical understanding of current legislation and policies that affect your field of practice. A final practical project and an in-depth written research project conclude your studies. Alternatively, you can choose to write a dissertation.
You also develop your knowledge about fundraising and project implementation to enable you to work effectively as a freelance drama practitioner or set up your own company.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching is delivered through a combination of practical workshops, tutor-supervised placements, workshop projects, seminars and lectures. Continual assessment is used throughout and the methods of assessment include in-class presentations, written assignments, portfolios and project-based performance.