Contemporary Theatre Practice | University of East Anglia UEA

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Course summary

Overview
Ignite your creativity with our MA in Contemporary Theatre Practice. You’ll combine high-level theatrical skills training with a wealth of opportunities to gain real-world insight and experience in today’s theatre industry. Whether you’re an aspiring performer, director, applied community theatre practitioner, or theatre researcher, this exciting course will help you develop advanced skills and knowledge for the evolving landscape of twenty-first-century theatre.

You’ll grow in confidence as a performer or performance-maker, learning the latest creative methods and collaborative approaches that define contemporary theatre practice. Our 200-seat professionally equipped Drama Studio will be the centre of your performance training, and you’ll benefit from the mentorship of both academics and theatre professionals.

Practical engagement with the creative industries will equip you with the professional competencies needed to develop, produce, and promote new work. You’ll build invaluable skills in project management, funding, and marketing, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the demands of today’s creative landscape. You’ll also have the opportunity to secure your own theatre placement, benefitting from UEA’s dedicated support and extensive regional industry network. These connections span major venues such as Norwich Theatre Royal, community theatre spaces like Sewell Barn, and renowned regional theatre companies including Gecko and HighTide.

The course also offers a rich theoretical and contextual foundation, helping you situate performance within its broader cultural, political, and historical frameworks, deepening your understanding and enriching your creative practice.

With almost fifty years of experience teaching drama, UEA has shaped the theatre industry in the region, in the UK and internationally. Many recent Drama postgraduates have obtained funding for their projects, in partnership with UEA Enterprise or from Arts Council England. Postgraduate Drama UEA alumni include producer, writer and director Sky Carver; Artistic Director of the Relish Theatre Company Rob Ellis; Artistic Director of Norwich Puppet Theatre, Peter Beck; and Julia Sowerbutts, Artistic Director of INK Festival of New Writing.

Disclaimer
Course details are subject to change. You should always confirm the details on the provider's website: www.uea.ac.uk

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Benjamina Efua
University of East Anglia UEA
Art History and World Art Studies
Before starting my PhD I was working in the museum sector, in collections management. I am passionate about heritage and culture, and after graduating I would like to go back to this field.
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Annabelle
University of East Anglia UEA
Global Development
I’m a mature student studying global development with anthropology with a placement year. I have completed a foundation year and I’m currently in my 2nd year of my degree! I love going out to eat in Norwich, going for cocktails, driving to the beach and charity shopping.
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Amelia
University of East Anglia UEA
Global Development
Hi! I’m Amelia, a second year undergraduate Global Development student at UEA, and the president of Devsoc. Being from Norwich, I know all the best spots, both on-campus and in the city! I would be happy to answer any questions about student life, Global Development, accommodation, campus amenities, Norwich, or anything else :)
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Alfie
University of East Anglia UEA
Biochemistry
My future plans involve working in a lab to progress research in genetic diseases that affect the immune system. This comes from a place of personal interest because I had a chronic genetic disease but am now cured and wish to help on this front by getting into research.
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Aimée
University of East Anglia UEA
Liberal Arts
Hi! I'm Aimée, a 4th year Liberal Arts with a Year Abroad student at UEA. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about the uni, my studies, student life or anything else. :)
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Alena
University of East Anglia UEA
Biological Sciences
Hi, my name's Alena. I'm a second year student studying Biological Sciences at UEA. I'm loving my time here at university and can't believe it's going by so fast already!
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Beth
University of East Anglia UEA
Art History and World Art Studies
In the future I don't know exactly what I want to do but I would like to work in a museum or with conservation. I am currently completing my study abroad in Ghent, Belgium and it has been one of the best opportunities of my life, I have been able to meet people from all across the world and study new and interesting classes. I love crafts, museums and the gym.
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Ayesha
University of East Anglia UEA
Medicine
I enjoy developing myself as a student, learning new skills and interacting with people. A favorite pastime of mine is reading, especially thrillers but I'm open to other genres as well. I'm originally from India, specifically from Lucknow, the city of Nawabs (and Tunday kababs), and relish trying new foods and connecting with people from different cultures through their traditions :) Having grown up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that is the place I call home. The links I have to all these different places has given me a broader worldview, and allowed me to experience life from a different lens.
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Dhara
University of East Anglia UEA
Literature and Creative Writing
Hi! I'm Dhara, I’m in my third year at UEA and I study English Literature and Creative Writing, having transferred degrees from Psychology. I’m also a student ambassador, student content creator and student of colour ambassador! I'm interested in all things sports, books and creative writing, in particular, historical fiction and fantasy. I also do Taekwondo, having been the Vice-President, Publicity Officer and First Year Representative in my first and second years. Feel free to ask me any questions about my degree, student life, societies/clubs, part time jobs at UEA, advice on starting university and more!
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Alexandra
University of East Anglia UEA
Drama
Hi, I'm Alexandra and I'm a 2nd year Drama and Creative Writing undergraduate student at UEA. I'm Spanish/Bolivian but have lived most of my life in Bolivia. As someone with a passion for stage and screen, I chose the Drama and Creative Writing course at UEA to develop and acquire more skills that would allow me to succeed in my career path. I am particularly passionate about scriptwriting, acting and filmmaking, so in the future, I hope I can dedicate myself to all of them. I was previously studying graphic design in Bolivia, but I decided to apply to UEA to pursue my goals; however, I still dedicate some time to it because I love it. I also enjoy photography (especially nature photography), drawing and painting, writing and dancing.
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Daisy
University of East Anglia UEA
American Studies
Hi! I'm really interested in the history of American music and how it has shaped, and been shaped by, American culture over time. I also love twentieth century and modern American literature. I started at UEA when I was 22 and I'm so happy I made the decision to come to UEA as a mature student, I'm loving my course and spent a semester studying at a college in Vermont this year! Norwich is a great city and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about living here!
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Albert
University of East Anglia UEA
Medicine
I'm Albert, a second year medical student at UEA from Vietnam. Outside of academia, I enjoy cycling, playing musical instruments, and walking in nature.
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