Research - School of Drama and Creative Industries

Background

Research in drama is born out of a historical divide between two distinct traditions, the conservatoire, derived from the company training tradition and the university, developed from the teaching of the literary text, although increasingly research techniques have developed focusing on the importance of understanding text in a performance context and theatrical creativity has been recognised as a key research activity.

The division in Drama research, between practical or action research and theoretical, historical, or critical research is old-fashioned. The Drama School is rooted in both traditions and has sustained research, both creative and historico-critical through a central focus on the act of theatre. It is particularly well placed given this context to carry out research in areas of theatre practice and cultural context and seeks to explore possible inter-relationships within and new developments from research derived from both the conservatoire and university traditions.

The School of Drama and Creative Industries is a lively community of enquiring practitioners. It benefits from a mix of active theatre professionals and experienced academics. The spirit of rigorous creative enquiry, inherent in all the work of the School, generates a rich environment in which to pursue research. Areas of research include:

• National Theatre of Scotland: impacts and resonances for the future of Scottish theatre
• Theatre and gender, studies into work of contemporary Scottish women playwrights
• Studies in stage translation
• The role of the Chief Executive in theatre companies: artistic director, producer or manager?
• The role of the director in contemporary Scottish theatre
• Creative and business development of theatre companies
• The changing face of community theatre in Scotland and the implications for future work
• Place and Space in Screen Fiction
• Performing for the Camera
• Non-western performative perspectives in theory and practice

Cross-disciplinary research projects linking with the School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication are also welcomed.