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MA Performance and Environment

Explore performance as ecological thinking

Explore performance as ecological thinking

MA: 1 year Full Time, 2 years Part Time
MFA: 2 years Full Time, 3 years Part Time
*Subject to approval for 2024 entry

Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)
  • Produce a portfolio of site-based interventions that can be used in variety of contexts
  • Build an ecologically-focused artistic practice
  • Learn from experienced and expert theatre practitioners
  • Utilise our strong industry links with national events, venues, and festivals
Pexels Ernest Ghazaryan 12442338

Overview

Develop a practice that responds to ecological contexts

Our MA Performance and Environment course explores performance as a form of ecological thinking as you develop your individual practice through collaborative projects.

Build an ecologically-focused individual practice

The programme develops artists and practices that engage with ecological philosophy, look to challenge the concept of anthropocentrism, and explore the notion of ‘nature’ as you engage with specific locations of ecological interest.

Produce a portfolio of site-based interventions

Your studio-based learning supports the development of a portfolio of site-based interventions that, whilst maintaining a live physical engagement between performer and environment, may be disseminated through a variety of documentary forms.

Learn from experienced and expert theatre practitioners

Our team of internationally reputed theatre and performance artists, practitioners, and researchers are here to help support your practical and personal growth, as you join an artist-led theatre-making department.

Join a community of theatre-makers with strong industry links

Our vibrant and collaborative departmental community of artists, practitioners, and performers, with the opportunity to benefit from strong links with venues and regional, national, and international festivals.

Access our range of excellent theatre resources and spaces

Our range of performance and rehearsal spaces and resources ensure that you have access to everything you need to support your creative practice.

On this course you will:

  • Build an ecologically-focused artistic practice.
  • Produce a portfolio of site-based interventions that can be used in variety of contexts.
  • Join a vibrant and connected environment and community for making contemporary theatre and performance.
  • Utilise our strong industry links with national events, venues, and festivals.
  • Learn from our experienced team of contemporary theatre experts.
  • Use our range of excellent performance and rehearsal spaces and resources.

The Course

Shape your individual and collaborative practice

Throughout the course, you will engage in a selection of both core and specialist modules that develop your knowledge of theatre-making and performance.

Indicative modules include:

  • Research Methodologies
  • An Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research
  • Cultural Identity and Performance
  • Critical/Practical Research Project
  • Developmental Project
  • Practice-led Research and Development Project (including written dissertation)
  • Ecological Performance Practice
  • Eco-Ethical Engagements

Teaching and Assessment

Feel the support of our expert and experienced teaching staff

Teaching

Our team of expert teaching staff will provide you with the core skills and knowledge you will need to excel within devised and collaborative theatre making, as you develop your own research and practical ideas.

Feel supported to develop your own artistic identity

You will be encouraged to work further afield – across the region, UK, Europe, and beyond – and externalise your work and identity.

You will have opportunities to establish a professional artistic and/or academic identity, and platform your own work in national and international contexts, which will help develop prospects for continuing education, in terms of teaching or continuing studies to MPhil and PhD, and in terms of your professional identity as a practitioner.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a range of assignments including:

  • The creation of practical (public) performances
  • Sharing your work in progress and ‘scratch’ presentations
  • Practical workshops and interactive/participatory research activities
  • Monographs and artists books
  • Business models and plans
  • Research papers and presentations
  • A written thesis

Facilities

Discover dedicated performance spaces, specialist equipment, and extensive resources

The Showroom

The ShowRoom is recognised nationally for presenting some of the most exciting companies touring on the UK circuit, and the programme is shaped to support the learning of students.

We often run workshops and post-show discussion for Theatre students with visiting artists. We believe that one of the best ways to learn about professional theatre is by watching a training with arts industry professionals. This is at the heart of the ShowRoom’s ambition.

The ShowRoom is highly adaptable, with retractable seating, making it an excellent teaching and workshop space in addition to its role as a venue. It is run by our Theatre Manager and Department Technician, who work closely with our students, helping them to realise creative and adventurous ideas in a professional working space.

Other facilities include:

  • Studio spaces exclusive to the department
  • Rehearsal Rooms
  • Recording studio
  • Editing facilities
  • Audio/visual equipment
  • In-house lighting and sound technicians to assist student projects

 

Find out more on the ShowRoom website.

Careers

Where you could go after your studies

Our MA/MFA Devised Theatre leads to various outcomes and opportunities for performer, practitioners, and researchers.

Over the years we have established and supported students as independent practitioners and touring arts companies/collectives, teaching (at all levels), and of course; PhD and further academic study and careers.

We also produce and support students looking to establish and develop careers in producing, creative writing, and arts management.

Course Costs

Course Fees 2023/24

UK fee
£8,505
International fee
£15,460

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

Entry Requirements

Typical offer (individual offers may vary):

Applicants will ideally have a 2.1 degree and dissertation in Theatre / Performing Arts or related subject.

We welcome applications from or any other degree subject who have relevant professional experience, or an academic qualification equivalent to a degree plus relevant professional experience.

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