Dance and Drama BA (Hons)

60 credits

This module offers students the opportunity to develop technical and performance skills in a range of diverse dance techniques which reflect the current global dance industry, and to acquire contextual knowledge of dance as a socially and culturally-produced practice.

Students will learn through intensive studio classes led by professionals in the field and interactive seminars. This mixed-mode delivery will enable students to enhance their fitness levels, expand their movement vocabulary, acquire the fundamentals of safe dance practice and engage with relevant case studies and themes within the cultural study of dance.

By integrating embodied knowledge of dance forms with active awareness of their socio-historical contexts, the module allows students to extend their technical and anatomical understanding of specific movement styles/techniques, while exploring how culture is practised through dance.

Students will develop a strong body of practice and techniques from a range of traditions. These will form a foundation for further development and study throughout the course. Students will be able to reflect on the language used in the dance sector and become equipped with the tools relevant for the discussion of the role of history and culture in the practice of different dance forms.

30 credits

This module complements and extends knowledge and understanding of key concepts of performance developed in Making Theatre Happen by focusing on the relationship between the actor and the written playtext.

There are two interweaving strands, each designed as a foundation for your ongoing studies. You will explore fundamental components of drama such as plot, action, character and dialogue and examine ways in which each is presented in a series of written playtexts. These plays are studied in detail and each is identified as a pretext for performance. You are introduced to ways of interrogating the texts and develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the relationship between what is written on the page and what is presented on the stage. The same playtexts are also used to explore a range of differing performance methodologies that can be used to identify the performance potentials of a text in a workshop environment. You are led through cycles of Preparation, Exploration and Realisation – understanding what these terms mean and the actions they consist of will be an important aspect of the module. You will not only learn appropriate ways in which to create intelligent and imaginative performance informed by a written text but also develop a range of acting skills necessary to perform them effectively.

Throughout the module you are also introduced to the basic principles of theatre lighting and sound and will be encouraged to explore the impact of these technical elements when used in a performance context.

30 credits

In this module, you will be introduced to the technical skills which form part of theatre production: lighting and sound design, scenography and stage management, as well as basic marketing skills. This will be supported through skill specific workshops leading to a collaborative performance production which fully considers the role of technical elements which make for effective theatre practices. You will be specifically encouraged to reflect in practice on your work's ecological impact and openness to diversity.

30 credits

Devising and ensemble practice support the development of skills and competencies that are not only applicable for theatremakers of all kinds but also valued by employers in a range of different professional sectors.

Exploring the work of ensembles embracing a collaborative approach to the creative process and supporting the acquisition of skills and methodologies they engage with; the module demonstrates the value of motivation and commitment; self-discipline; adaptability and flexibility; creative problem solving and an ability to work under pressure.

Ultimately, these skills and attributes are brought to bear in the Explore element of the module which enables you to engage with students from other courses, schools and faculties, to create new and original interdisciplinary dramatic work.

30 credits

This module provides students with the opportunity to further develop their technical and performance skills through engagement with learning, developing, refining and performance of dance techniques from contrasting styles (e.g. Hip Hop and contemporary dance styles). Students will learn through intensive practical classes led by professionals in the field, accompanied by seminars to support their ability to critically reflect on their development. There will be regular opportunities to present their work, experimenting with a variety of communication technologies and reaching multiple audiences.

30 credits

This module gives you the opportunity to continue advancing your acting training and begin exploring the discipline of directing for live and filmed performance. These two electives complement each other allowing the student actors to be directed by the student directors.

This module will advance your understanding of the theatre industries through collaborative practice which develops specific skills and experience in direction, devising, script reading, but also transferrable skills of time-management, producing, critical thinking, active listening, communication, and presentation skills.

Within the acting elective you will explore the themes and principles of Naturalism in theory and practice on stage and screen.

Within the directing elective, student directors navigate contemporary theatre practitioners and theoreticians, and are given the opportunity to lead a group of creative artists towards their own unified vision for a performance. The role of the stage and film director is examined through the lenses of design, script analysis, working with actors, proxemics and semiotics.

30 credits

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop your creative practice as a dance artist developing technical, creative and performance skills through one of two electives: choreography or hip hop performance practices.

Through a combination of practical and theoretical learning this module develops necessary skills and knowledge to become critically aware, articulate and accomplished practitioners in a specialist area of dance practice. The module will enable you to develop an applied understanding of the significance of the aesthetic, kinaesthetic and creative foundations of choreographic practice or hip hop performance practices.

Emphasis within this module will be placed on the need for risk taking during the creative process and you will develop your practices through project-based learning to develop a range of artistic experiments applying your contextual knowledge to develop work for a range of settings. There will be opportunities you to collaborate with students across electives through projects that explore different performance outputs, for example, site-specific performance and screen dance.

30 credits

This is a practical module designed to take students through the process of making a dance production, from initial conception to final performance whilst also further developing and applying advanced levels of dance techniques and dance training. The focus of the module is to provide students with the experience of being in a dance company and of working closely within professional contexts of training, creating, refining and consolidating final production pieces suitable for professional performance environments. Students will apply ideas and creative problem-solving skills acquired through prior learning, in more diverse performance settings. Students will work in company environments with their choreographer both in scheduled learning time and during independent study hours to create, rehearse and produce full-scale dance-based productions. Students will work in companies led by a module tutor with choreographic experience. The companies will be set by timetabled classes.

30 credits

This module enables students to develop ideas and research and carry them through to realisation. The assessment for this module is a capstone project which allows students to draw together their learning from across the degree and apply it in a 'real-world' context through the creation, rehearsal and performance of a theatre production.

This module is largely undertaken through independent group-based rehearsal, although there is also a series of presentations and workshops addressing specific areas such as group work strategies, problem-solving, rehearsal planning and scheduling, managing budgets and publicity and marketing. Students form groups, select roles and choose scripts, themes and modes of performance based on a 'pitch' they make and the feedback received at the end of Teaching Block One. The size of groups may vary but groups should not be made up of fewer than five students or more than 12. Each group will have a designated supervisor and a budget allocated on the basis of group size. The rehearsal process will be constructed around a series of formatively and summatively assessed stages such as work in progress performances, group and individual reflective exercises, submission of design and technical plans and presentation of publicity materials. Performances will be scheduled across a number of weeks in consultation with the Drama Technical Production Manager.

30 credits

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop and produce a dance project of your choice. It will enable you to develop leadership, communication and organisational skills whilst experimenting, innovating and producing an output that aligns to your interests by following one of three electives: choreography (live and screen), hip hop, or research and practice as research.

The module also enables you to draw on all aspects and disciplines explored throughout the course to support your emerging professional identity as a future leader and becoming an articulate and socially aware entrepreneur in the dance industry. This prepares you to seek work in the private commercial and public arts sectors as a choreographer, dancer, dance artist, teacher, producer or researcher.

15 credits

In this module you will apply your knowledge and understanding of the Theatre and Performance industry to support your preparation for graduation and beyond. You will extend your knowledge and understanding of a portfolio career, professional practices, and professional development alongside being encouraged to develop appropriate professional networks.

You will independently plan, carry out and critically evaluate an industry-focussed placement or project that engages with current industry standards and practices relevant to the sector with support of the module teaching team.  This will prepare you for working in an aspect of the theatre and performance industry and support you with developing a multi-faceted professional identity as a performing arts professional.

You will critically evaluate your own development through reflection on your progress of planning and participating in an industry-focussed placement or project. You will document your reflection and critical evaluation in a portfolio referring to relevant industry context and practices. You will also create a professional profile that reflects your developing professional identity to support your progression to your chosen career path.

15 credits

This module gives you a dedicated opportunity to develop your Future Skills Graduate Attributes. 

At the start of the module, you will be supported to self-assess your current skills profile. You will determine which attributes and skills you need to develop to support your career ambitions. In this process, you will be supported by a dedicated career coach, helping you explore a range of options that includes self-employment/freelancing, starting your own business, higher level study, and other professional graduate-level opportunities. Throughout the module, you will be given opportunities to engage with external mentors, to support reflection and to develop a professional network.

You will undertake a tailored series of activities and projects, aligned to your goals, from a menu of development options. This could include short courses, enrichment activities and experiential learning options such as micro-placements. You will also be able to reflect on activities outside the University that develop your graduate attributes, such as work or volunteering.