Performance for Stage and Screen – BA (Honours)

At a glance

Examine the nature of performance for stage, screen and broadcast from a variety of perspectives on this challenging course. As well as practical performance work within these three different media, you develop and enhance your understanding of performance by engaging and challenging academic viewpoints. You can also prepare for a performance-related career with a tailored work placement.

Key points
• Attend theatre productions and cinematic screenings as part of your studies.• Develop your knowledge of performance in a range of traditional and non-traditional spaces.
• Be inspired by an academic team that includes many professionals in their field.
• Enhance your career prospects with a tailored placement in a stage, screen or broadcast setting.

What is performance for stage and screen?
Performance for stage and screen considers the nature of performance and its reception across a range of media and spaces. Whilst some of these are traditional, others are unusual and invite the performer to explore alternative and exciting performance dynamics.

Performance students are also encouraged to investigate how their skills might be applied in other professional settings including health and education environments.

This course

Develop your understanding of performance for stage and screen from a variety of perspectives. You explore practical approaches to performance for traditional and non-traditional performance spaces, for the screen and for broadcast.

As well as gaining a practitioners’ perspective, you also consider the role of audience in these media. Your investigations are achieved by blending a practical approach with a clear theoretical understanding.

During the course you• develop practical performance skills for stage, screen and radio
• learn to apply the skills you have learnt into established theatre and non-theatre settings
• explore and analyse dramatic and cinematic works through a range of perspectives
• attend theatre productions and cinematic screenings to study the relationship of space, performance and audience
• explore your own creative and professional development and look at ways of preparing for your entry into your chosen career.

You take modules across various media from the position of the performer, critic and spectator. Whilst some key modules are core, others are optional modules. This allows you to tailor your study towards your interests and career ambitions.

Your studies are led by academics and a range of industry professionals, made up of core teaching staff and guest lecturers and workshop presenters. For example, the visiting professor for performance for stage and screen is the world-renowned playwright, John Godber.

As part of the course, you apply what you have learnt on a work-based learning placement. This is a great opportunity to gain professional work experience and enhance your CV.

In the past, placements have included work at local flagship theatres such as the Crucible Theatre and the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, and with theatre companies such as Point Blank, Third Angel and Paper Birds.

Films are shown in our high-tech cinema The Void. You also have access to our learning centre, holding a library of appropriate books and journals as well as thousands of films on DVD, Blu-ray and videotape, plus individual viewing facilities.

Key areas of study
Key areas include • the performer and the text • broadcast performance • studying for stage and screen • actors' training studio • performance spaces and places • performance and spectatorship • scriptwriting for stage, screen and radio • popular music • stand-up comedy.