University of Chichester

Performing Arts (BA Hons)
(Theatre Performance), (Theatre Performance and Dance)
(Theatre Performance and Music)

Are you driven by a passion to create innovative theatre? Are you a performer who wishes to challenge expectations? Are you a team player capable of producing innovative, dynamic and engaging work? Can you rise to the challenge of being the future of British theatre?

Performing Arts (Theatre Performance) is an established course, designed for students who see their own processes of creating original theatre as a dynamic and empowering starting point for a career as a theatre maker. Performing Arts offers two additional self contained routes, Theatre Performance and Dance and Theatre Performance and Music, which adopt the core of the Theatre Performance route, but for students with specialist interests in either (contemporary) music or dance.

The three different routes are designed to emphasise our commitment to theatre as a cross disciplinary process and to empower musicians/singers, dancers, actors and theatre makers, who have a particular interest in composition, to come together in the spirit of exploration. Of primary importance, for all students taking Performing Arts, is the notion of artist as an engaged communicator, prepared to take responsibility for the creative process and the implications of performance. The focus, therefore, is on new work, with a curriculum emphasising group and teamwork, within a vocational context that prepares you for a career as a creative artist. With this in mind, you will have the opportunity to explore performance in a variety of contexts and settings, using a wide range of theatrical and non-theatrical environments.

Indicative Course Content

There are four groups of modules contributing to a focused and holistic training in theatre making. Dance and Music students will be encouraged to use their particular specialism alongside – and as an integral part of – generic theatre work:

  • Critical and Contextual Studies: giving academic foundation to the processes of making theatre
  • Skills Development: training and awareness of skills for making and performing theatre
  • Production and Specialist Studies: performance projects that can inspire and challenge you towards making innovative theatre
  • Professional Development: providing insight into theatre making in an applied and vocational context

Theatre Performance Route

If you are on the Theatre Performance route, you will have further classes in acting and devising, as well as writing for performance. A central focus of the route is two major productions at level two that will gear you towards major performance work in your final year.

Theatre Performance and Dance Route

If you choose the Theatre and Dance route, you will have dedicated classes in performance technique, improvisation and choreography; one of the level two productions will be supplanted with a Dance Theatre production.

Theatre Performance and Music Route

Within the Theatre and Music route, you will have dedicated classes in performance technique (voice or/and your chosen instrument), improvisation and composition; one of the level two productions will be supplanted with a theatre production that emphasises music.

Why this Course?

  • Create new theatre in a dynamic ‘theatre city’
  • Work in newly-built, state-of-the-art theatre and studios, equipped with the latest technology
  • Work with highly motivated, dedicated professional staff
  • Challenge the cultural and social understanding of the world we live in through performance practice
  • Elect modules that drive towards clear vocational outcomes as practising theatre makers
  • Develop skills in music or dance alongside theatre performance

Careers

  • Performance practitioners (actors, dancers, musicians, directors, writers, designers,members of theatre collectives)
  • Theatre workers
  • Community arts workers
  • Education
  • Postgraduate study

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements - individual offers may vary:

  • A levels: BBC/BCC
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: Performing Arts - DMM – DDM
  • Advanced / Progression Diploma: Grade C  plus at least 100 points from the Additional Specialist Learning in a relevant subject A level or Subsidiary Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate: 30 points
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass with at least 12 credits worth of level 3 (related to Drama or English) at Merit
  • •GCSEs: Please see page 206 for general entrance requirements regarding GCSEs Applicants without the above formal qualifications but who have relevant skills and work / life experience will be considered on an individual basis and may be assessed through a written portfolio.

Applicants with qualifications from other countries:

The University of Chichester considers applicants from a wide range of countries with appropriate A level equivalent qualifications. Non-native speakers of English are expected to have IELTS 6.0, or equivalent.

Interview:

Yes. Candidates will be asked to talk about their interests in theatre and to participate in a workshop designed to explore creative ideas as well as performance ability. In addition, Music applicants may be asked to use music (either vocally or through their chosen instrument(s) in an improvisational way. Similarly, Dance applicants will be encouraged to adopt a physical approach to the generic workshop exercises and will be invited to participate in a short contemporary dance class.

Fact File

UCAS Codes: Performing Arts (Theatre Performance) W405 BA/Parts
Performing Arts (Theatre Performance and Dance) WW4N BA/Parts
Performing Arts (Theatre Performance and Music) WW4J BA/Parts

Length of Programme: 3 Years Full Time. Delivery: Full and Part Time. Campus: Bishop Otter, Chichester

For more information please visit Online Prospectus