Ever wondered why it took Leonardo di Caprio so long to die in Titanic? The answer to this question and many more is explored in drama and performance. Drama and performance is an exploration of the many processes that exist to support performance in all of its many guises. It examines the vocabulary, concepts, history and theory of the creative process.
We aim to challenge conventional assumptions about the performing arts and the many possible roles of the spectator. Through cross disciplinary and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning, we combine a recognition of the importance of historic and theoretical contexts to facilitate the discovery of working strategies and the acquisition of knowledge, to provide students with the tools needed for a successful career in the performing arts.
The aim of this course is to provide an extensive understanding of the practice, history and theory of drama and performance and to encourage creative thinking. It balances practice with theory to enable graduates to understand not only the how but the why of performance. Through collaboration with all of the performing arts courses, students will develop a broader and deeper understanding of the processes of creating performance.
On graduation, students will have an understanding of the variety of ways in which drama and performance work and how they can be made relevant. The course provides a broad understanding of the subject area and opens up a number of diverse career paths.
The first two years offer the opportunities to work in collaborative, creative experimental workshops, in which students will work to find solutions to the creative staging and performance of classic and contemporary genres and texts. Bringing a range of interests and skills (eg acting, directing, dramaturgy, scenography and playwriting), students will share their different perspectives and insights. Classes will also cover theatre history and theory which will inform the decisions students make in their creative work.
Years Three and Four will involve the study of core modules and a series of options (which may vary from year to year) to focus interests in specific areas. Year Four will see the completion of a personal final project, which can be performance based or a written dissertation.
Structure:
You can opt to study for an Honours degree over four years or an Ordinary degree over three years. You will complete a range of modules, as outlined, each year
With a plethora of festivals, theatre companies, dance companies, museums and orchestras in and around Edinburgh, the festival city and throughout Scotland, work-based learning and networking opportunities are plentiful.
The career opportunities open to students who study this degree are not only in the Arts.
but also in all areas requiring excellent communication and creative skills.
Electives in Years Three and Four allow you to focus your interests to suit your own career aspirations.
Year One:
Play and Performance/ Notions of Theatre/ Studying Drama/ Performance Skills/ Theatre Production Skills/ Origins of Theatre/ Text and Performance
Year Two:
Theatre of Ideas and the Stage/ Place, Space and Performance / Performance Project 1 (incorporating the following: Performance Skills, Theatre Production Skills, Scenography, Playwriting)/ Theatre in the World/ 20th Century Practitioners/
Performance Project 2 (incorporating the following: Performance Skills 2, Theatre Production Skills 2, Scenography, Playwriting)
Year Three:
British Drama 1945 to present/ The Arts Policy and Funding Context/ Independent Research Project; Critical Theory, Performance & Text/ Performance Project 3/ Plus two from the following: Contemporary Performance / Community Theatre/ Arts Journalism/ Playwriting
Year Four:
Performing Scotland/ Creative Entrepreneurship/ Honours Project/ Plus two from the following: Contemporary Performance / Community Theatre / Page to Stage / Arts Management / Contemporary Performance / Community Theatre
Scottish Higher:
BBBCC or 295 UCAS Tariff points
A Level:
BBB or 300 UCAS Tariff points
Irish Leaving Certificate:
BBBCC or 295 UCAS Tariff points
International Baccalaureate:
30 points
Required Subjects:
Eng and/or Drama preferred at Higher/A Level or equivalent Mature/Access: Access to Humanities / Arts / Social Sciences considered.
Mature/Access:
We welcome applications from mature students with relevant qualifications and / or experience
Advanced Entry:
Year 2 - HNC/D relevant HN programmes will be considered. Scottish Higher: BC at Advanced Higher in relevant subjects plus BB at Higher/ A Level: BBB in relevant subjects.
International:
IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each element.
You may use your studies as a basis for professional practice within theatre and
allied industries, using the specialisms as a stepping stone to: playwriting; directing; producing; screen industries; further training in acting; theatre in/within the community; contemporary performance practice; arts journalism; professions requiring skills in communication and creativity; drama teaching; and postgraduate study.
Alice Kornitzer
BA (Hons) Drama and Performance
I went to school in Germany but yearned to go to university or drama school in the UK. After finishing school, I moved to Glasgow and spent a year preparing myself for auditions at various drama schools in Scotland, England and Wales. QMU was not on my initial radar, but as soon as I found out about it, I decided to apply and was delighted to be accepted on the then brand new drama and performance degree course.
I grew up in a theatrical family and always wanted to follow in their footsteps, but I knew that I needed to get a good education and training behind me. QMU meets all my needs: it finds a balance between theoretical and academic work in combination with practical sessions and performances for assessments.
Before starting the course, I had a very clear idea about what I wanted to do and I expected specific training. However, I found that we were trained in a different way but, it has turned out to be more beneficial: it has opened up a whole range of new fields for me that I had not originally thought of and I have been given more options without feeling like I had to compromise on my own wishes.
There are many opportunities at QMU. In my first year I joined Cobweb Theatre Company, one of the University's theatre companies. Being involved in their productions is great training and enables you to make friends with people from other courses. The standard is very high, so it's a nice challenge. Also, having joined QMU Radio, it is nice to do drama work in a different medium and programme shows. I am also looking forward to being more involved in industry placement in Year Three.
The course itself does not aim to train you for a specific area within the theatre or film industry, but it is a good starting point for a future career. When I finish, I will probably do a postgraduate degree in either an academic area or a vocational one, maybe even both, depending what my career options are at that point.
