MA in Theatre

with pathways in:

• Applied Drama (The Applied Theatre programme will not be running in 2010-11)
• Directing
• Physical Theatre & Performance
• Playwriting

Students follow a programme of study which provides a background in textual studies, critical performance concepts, and contemporary British drama and which also allows students to follow a specialist pathway. The course is taught by visiting professional practitioners and staff from our highly rated research and teaching department. In consequence the programme offers teaching that reflects the advanced research of the staff in the many fields over which their expertise extends. It is hoped that this will amplify a trend for graduates from the department's M.A. programmes to stay on to pursue doctoral research for either the traditional Ph.D. examined by thesis and the new practice-based Ph.D. examined by thesis and advanced practice/performance work. Though situated on an attractive rural campus, the department is within easy reach of the London theatres and theatregoing is encouraged in relation to all aspects of the programme. Students have access to all the facilities within the department, including the Studio Theatre (a traditional black-box structure), the Handa Noh Theatre (a unique feature of Royal Holloway), and The Boilerhouse.

An exciting feature of the programme is that students will both share a number of core courses and also pursue one from a choice of named pathways in Applied Drama, Directing, Performance Studies or Playwriting. (Students' personal choice of pathway will be stated in brackets after the title of the programme on the graduation certificates.)

The degree is an exploratory programme focused on the relation between theory and practice in performance. Performance skills and professional disciplines are all deployed to contribute to the academic objective of a deeper understanding of drama and performance.

The programme is intended for students with BAs in drama or other fields in the humanities; overseas students seeking deeper knowledge of British theatre; and theatre professionals requiring academic qualifications. It does not offer direct training for the acting profession; but it does offer a very good education for would-be practitioners, directors, dramatists, performance artists etc. Graduating students have also followed careers in postgraduate research, teaching, theatre administration, the media, T.I.E..

The core course taken by all students are:

• Staging the Performance Text
  A four-hour weekly workshop/class, exploring relations between text and performance in practical work backed by theoretical reading and discussion. Currently the thematic focus of the course is planned to be Representations of the "Other". This course carries 25% of the total mark and runs over the first 12-week term.

One option from the following is taken:

• British Theatre Since 1945; or
• Performance Making: Choreography
  These weekly three-hour courses run throughout the second 12-week term. The first investigates through seminar discussion developments in British playwriting since 1945, tracing such developments within the changing cultural and political contexts of the last fifty-five years. The second will address the practice of making performance pieces which are centred around choreographic techniques. Either option constitutes 25% of the total mark.

All students then select one of the four named pathways and undertake detailed work in small groups on one of the following components as appropriate:

• Applied Drama; (Intake 2011-12)
• Directing;
• Playwriting;
• Forms of Physical Training (for Physical Theatre and Performance Studies)

Classes throughout the first two terms are led by theatre professionals and specialised practitioners as well as academic staff towards a final presentation-performance or in the summer term. This component constitutes 25% of the total mark.
All students are required to complete a research project relevant to their chosen pathway, the outcome of which is a dissertation of 10-14,000 words.
The initial stages of research are supported by training in methodologies, bibliographical procedures and presentation; teaching is by one-to-one supervision which extends throughout the year. This component constitutes 25% of the total mark.

50 weeks full-time; 102 weeks part-time.

A 1st or good 2nd class degree or equivalent; some theatre experience is desirable.

These should be returned to the Registry at Royal Holloway and be accompanied by two essays or other recent pieces of critical writing. Candidates in Britain at the time of application may be invited to interview; everyone applying is welcome to visit the Department.
For enquiries, forms or further details please contact us