Bachelor of Arts in Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies

New for 2012, the BA degree in Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies is an exciting 4 year denominated programme developed for students with a keen interest in all aspects of drama and performance.

This world-class new programme provides a unique opportunity to study drama, theatre and performance from a practical, theoretical and historical perspective. You will explore all aspects of performance from theatre to film, story telling and new media. Teaching on the programme will take a variety of forms, from lectures and seminars to practical workshops, performances and internships.

One of the most innovative features of the programme is its emphasis on putting learning into practice, through seminars in acting, design and directing, through workshops with professional theatre companies, and through the option of internships with arts organisations and professional placements in Year Three.

Year 1

In the first year of the programme, students will study the history of theatre, and learn how to carry out research in the area of theatre and performance. They will also analyse and write about drama from the past and present and from many different countries around the world. Classes in performance provide students with the opportunity to put their academic work into practice, and to build skills in acting and directing. Students will work towards an end-of-year performance with the Druid Theatre Director-in-Residence.

Year 2

Students will have opportunities to build upon their achievements in First Year, and will begin to specialise in the areas that most interest them, with optional classes in film, creative writing, theatre history, performance studies and more. Workshops with professional theatre practitioners are an important element of this year, and summer internships will be available.

Year 3

Working under the supervision of course personnel, students will engage in a range of intensive professional activities in both semesters. These will include placements with arts and theatre organisations, voluntary work with community groups, and/or supervised research activities (including practice-as-research projects on-campus). Students may also apply to spend part of the year studying at a university outside Ireland (some scholarships are available).

Year 4

In the final year, students will be encourageed to choose options that will allow them to develop specialist skills in the areas they wish to work in after graduation. Classes in advanced performance will be available, as will specialised academic courses on key issues in theatre theory, history and practice.