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MAContemporary Performance Practices

More information

royalholloway.ac.uk/..mance-practices.aspx 

Overview

Interested? To learn more about this study programme, entry requirements and application process, please contact one of our consultants in a country nearest to you.

Programme structure

Core modules
Making Performance
In this module you will develop an understanding of current trends in, and new approaches to, contemporary performance practice, including playwriting, theatre directing, devised, physical and applied work. You will collaborate with students from the other MA programmes offered in the Department of Drama, Theatre and Dance, encountering a broad range of performance making processes and contexts. You will also apply established techniques of research and enquiry to the conception of a new group or solo performance project, allowing you the opportunity to provide thought provoking response to the practices encountered.

Contemporary Performance Practices
The moudle will introduce you to concepts, practical strategies, methodologies and models for making performance. The emphasis will be on collaborative working methods to ensure extension of skills and understanding both within and beyond the art discipline familiar to you. You will be invited to engage with ideas and processes drawn from a range of performing arts, including choreography, directing, dramaturgy, theatre texts, improvisation, compositional and score or task-based structures.

Independent Project in Contemporary Performance Practices
You will take concepts, methodologies, models and creative projects experienced in the first two terms and further develop these for both final assessment and public viewing. Your final project outcomes may include a collaboratively devised performance, or live art event; a curated exhibition or installation; a series of workshops with accompanying documentation; or attachment to a company, with related documentation. You will be required to employ more than one form for your final project, e.g. curated exhibition, plus documentation, and will be encouraged to work collaboratively through offering a specific strand or contribution to a joint project, e.g. performing, dramaturging, directing, curating, etc.

Dissertation
In this module you will develop an understanding of how to undertake research in different branches of theatre studies. You will start to prepare for your dissertation, with basic training in how to use major resource archives, whether paper, electronic or material. You will consider how to employ theoretical knowledge of a selected range of creative techniques, exploring ways of engaging critically with research materials, analysing performance, and presenting research findings in written and practical forms, including workshop demonstration, advanced skill class, and comparison of two approaches to a moment in performance.

Career opportunities

Our graduates have gone on into professional performance-making both through development of collaborations begun on the course and through joining established companies. They have started careers in theatre training and in education including practical teaching at postgraduate level.

If you come to the end of the course and find yourself curious about an area of study – or want to take your dissertation topic further – the MA is a perfect grounding for a PhD, with many of our students going onto advanced research with us.

Apply now! Fall semester 2023/24
Application period has ended
Notes
Please see the university profile or contact us for the deadlines that apply to you
Apply now! Fall semester 2023/24
Application period has ended
Notes
Please see the university profile or contact us for the deadlines that apply to you