APPLIED THEATRE (COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION)

APPLIED THEATRE (COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION)

Overview

The Applied Theatre (Community and Education) course primarily concentrates on developing powerful theatre projects and performances driven to encourage social and political change.

The course focuses on experiential learning and encourages students to engage with various communities in various settings, including schools, hospitals, prisons, etc. The project and course will be rigorous and aim to inspire this generation of engaged theatre practitioners.

Picture a programme that will train you to help create transformative theatre experiences. This does not mean acting; it means enacting theatre as a way to examine social issues, empower communities, and take part in more meaningful conversations with the audience.

You will learn how to create participatory theatre, develop workshops for educational theatre, and use performance to address complex social issues.

Objectives

Develop skills in facilitating participatory theatre and drama workshops.

• Understand applied theatre's theoretical and practical applications.

• Develop expertise in addressing social issues in theatre projects.

• Evaluate the impact of theatre interventions.

• Develop critical thinking and reflective practice skills.

• Prepare for various career paths in community arts, education, and social development.

Prerequisites

• A-levels in relevant subjects like drama, theatre studies, English.

• Strong interest in social justice and community engagement.

• Interview or portfolio showcasing creative work required.

Curriculum Outline

  1. Exploration of practical and theoretical perspectives
  2. Study practices
  3. Concepts and ideas relating to drama
  4. Applied theatre and performance
  5. Studio-based explorations of theatre texts
  6. Playwriting and Filmmaking options
  7. Design and Deliver a collaborative outreach project
  8. Focus on professional development

Teaching Method

As a hands-on degree, you will learn through:

  1. Workshops
  2. Practical sessions
  3. Collaborative projects
  4. Community placements
  5. Lectures
  6. Seminars
  7. Reflective practice sessions

Modules

  1. Applied Theatre
  2. Drama for Learning 1
  3. Community Stories
  4. Performance 1
  5. Professional Practice
  6. Drama for Learning 2
  7. Political Stories
  8. Performance 2
  9. Personal Project
  10. Drama for Learning 3
  11. Community Project
  12. Applied Theatre Festival

Assessment Methods

  1. Presentations
  2. Project facilitation
  3. Workshop facilitation
  4. Written documentation
  5. Visual essays
  6. Live performance
  7. Reflective journals

Course Duration

The course duration of this programme may vary depending on the country and universities but in the UK, it takes about 03 years to complete.

Facilities

Typically, all the university's facilities in the UK are designed to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience and practical training opportunities. These facilities may include:

  1. Drama Studio (Rehearsal Space)
  2. Performance Space (Black Box Theatre)
  3. Workshop Space (Flexible, Multi-Use Room)
  4. Technical Equipment Storage (Lighting, Sound)
  5. Costume and Props Storage
  6. Design Studio (Set Design, Visuals)
  7. Digital Media Lab (Video, Audio Editing)
  8. Resource Library (Plays, Scripts, Theory Books)
  9. Meeting Room (Group Project Work)
  10. Community Partnership Office (Placement Coordination)
  11. Accessible Performance/Workshop Space
  12. Outdoor Performance Area
  13. Computer Lab (Scriptwriting, Research)
  14. Audio Recording Studio
  15. Video Projection Facilities

Career Pathways

Mainly, the programme “Applied Theatre (Community and Education) - BA (Hons)” opens doors to a wide range of rewarding careers globally. But this programme from a UK university opens doors to advanced careers focused on improving the lives of individuals and communities, such as:

  1. Actor- Teacher
  2. Youth Theatre Director
  3. Assistant Director
  4. Trainee Director
  5. Freelance Director
  6. Co-Artistic Director
  7. Head of Theatre Studies
  8. Community Drama Leader
  9. Performance
  10. Drama Facilitation
  11. Creative Projects Facilitator
  12. Creative Projects Manager
  13. Drama Worker
  14. Education Associate
  15. Project Support Officer
  16. Workshop Leader
  17. Creative Arts Teacher
  18. Drama Educator
  19. Project Manager
  20. Education Events Officer
  21. Youth and Outreach Worker
  22. Animateur
  23. Head of Education
  24. Broadcast Production Assistant
  25. Executive Producer

Fees and Fundings

  1. Tuition fees range in between £ 19,020 per year and may vary depending on the institution.
  2. Scholarships, grants, and financial opportunities are available.
  3. Government loan aid is available.

Entry Requirements

  1. GCSE and other level 2 requirements
  2. A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements
  3. Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)/Intermediate Certificate
  4. IELTS of 6.0 overall (with no band below 5.5) is required
  5. Applicants will be interviewed by the Course Team

Field Work and Internships

Digital Theatre Volunteering: With the rise of digital theatre, volunteer your skills in areas like video editing, sound design, or online facilitation for digital theatre projects.

Partnerships with local clubs/Community Organisations: These placements allow you to engage with diverse communities. This could involve working with:

  1. Community centers
  2. Charitable organisations  
  3. Support groups
  4. Arts councils

Youth academies/development programmes: These are foundational. You might work with established youth theatre companies, assisting with workshops, directing scenes, or even devising original pieces with young people.

Supporting Local Theatre Companies: Many community theatre groups rely on volunteers for various tasks, from assisting with workshops to helping with set construction or front-of-house duties.

Contributing to Arts Festivals or Events: Internships with the RFL or regional/local leaUofGes could involve working on development strategies, competition administration, or marketing campaigns.

Certifications

  1. Arts Award (Various Levels - Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver, Gold)
  2. Youth Arts Leadership Training
  3. Drama Facilitation Training (Specialized Workshops)
  4. Community Arts Practice Certification (Various Organizations)
  5. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Training
  6. First Aid and CPR Certification
  7. Mental Health First Aid Training
  8. Equality and Diversity Training
  9. Project Management Certification (e.g., PRINCE2 Foundation)
  10. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certification (If using drama in language learning)
  11. Arts Management Training
  12. Digital Arts Facilitation Training
  13. Applied Drama and Theatre Skills Training (Specific Methodologies)
  14. Arts Fundraising and Development Training
  15. Arts Evaluation and Impact Measurement Training
  16. Arts Marketing and Audience Development Training
  17. Arts and Health Training
  18. Creative Writing Facilitation Training
  19. Storytelling Facilitation Training
  20. Intergenerational Arts Practice Training
  21. Arts Administration Training

Intakes

Typically, in the UK, the intakes takes twice a year (fall and spring), but may vary like:

  1. Fall (September/October)
  2. Spring (January/February)
  3. Summer (May/June)

Student Testimony

"Ìt was an incredibly rewarding journey studying Applied Theatre.  It has not only shaped my professional development as a performer and drama facilitator but has also taught me a lot about myself. Despite RBC being a big university and sitting within BCU, an even bigger institution, I never felt like I was just a number, the lecturers were regularly available for individually tailored tutorials and feedback sessions which has played a huge part in my progress." Says - Ava-Daniera Mcdonald, Applied Theatre (Community and Education) - BA (Hons)."

Frequently asked questions

This programme focuses on using theatre as a tool for social change, education, and community building. It goes beyond traditional performance, emphasizing facilitation, devising, and the application of drama to address social issues and empower diverse communities.

Additional courses of interest