Theatre and Performing (Placement Year)

Why Lancaster?

• Benefit from a forward-thinking curriculum that is firmly based on the skills and knowledge that will be needed in the theatre industry in years to come

• Tailor your studies by specialising in your chosen area of theatre such as acting, scenography, scriptwriting, directing or applied and community performance

• Enjoy a practical course where you can bring your theoretical ideas to life in imaginative ways in our studios

• Take advantage of regular networking opportunities with professional theatres and arts organisations in Lancaster and beyond

• Choose a course that expertly combines practical skills with contextual knowledge, giving you a strong understanding of 21st century theatre and how it can impact society

The future of theatre

We will teach you the building blocks of performance making, whilst supporting your ability to develop highly creative, challenging and impactful work.

You will engage in collaborative group performances throughout the course, allowing you to specialise in what you enjoy the most. You might choose to focus on acting, building your confidence on stage, perfecting your characterisation and portraying that character through performance. You could opt to work in pre-production, playwriting or script writing, or even scenography, designing sets and scenes that bring your production to life.

You may see yourself behind the scenes, directing those on stage and managing production from start to finish. You can make this course your own.

As you progress through the course, you will be able to choose thematic areas of focus, for example, theatre for social change, intermedial theatre, text-based performance, and environmental performance. You will also be trained on topics such as sustainability, inclusivity, and creative entrepreneurship – equipping you with vital skills that will help you to shape the theatre industry of the future.

The freedom to perform

The performance work you create will span a wide array of forms and styles. Most of your learning will be practical, collaborating with others to create projects such as performance pieces, practical presentations, creative portfolios, and contemporary writing and communication projects such as blogs and podcasts. At other times, you will learn through lectures and seminars given by our expert team. Through this, you will develop your knowledge of recent theatre developments and learn to critically evaluate the impact of theatrical performance on global societies.

You will also have the option to study aspects of the Creative Industries, learning essential skills such as project management and funding applications, and how to ensure theatre is accessible and inclusive.

You will often work in professional theatre venues, including the Nuffield Theatre on the University campus. At other times you might be creating work in the natural environment surrounding campus, or within the urban landscapes of the city of Lancaster.

You will also have opportunities to participate in applied and community-based projects, working with socially and economically disadvantaged groups in the Lancaster region. For some students, this is the most inspiring part of the course.

A creative community

You will be taught by professional theatre practitioners and top academics, benefitting from their links to leading creative and cultural organisations, such as Arts Council national portfolio organisation, Lancaster Arts, and The Dukes Theatre with their Creative Communities programme.

Your Placement Year
Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years. You'll spend your third year in a paid, graduate-level position, where you’ll work for between nine and twelve months in the type of role that you might be considering for after you graduate.