Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Master of Arts - MA
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit

Programme Offerings

Full-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

1. To provide a learning environment for the promotion of advanced scholarship related to mastery of craft in making new theatre and its allied performing arts; 2. To produce skilled, self-managed and collaborative artists in the creation, development and presentation of Making New Theatre performances, either through original work or in the framing of extant material in the context of contemporary developments in creative practice; 3. To encourage the acquisition and development of individual knowledge, understanding, craft, and creative practice related to the current discourse in the practices of making of new theatre; 4. To contribute through regional, national and international platforms to the development of making new theatre scholarship allied to creative practice.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The knowledge and understanding required for mastery of craft is acquired via skill based and exploratory workshops, lectures, seminars, production work and discursive sessions in tutorial. This knowledge and understanding is assessed via coursework, including group and individual practical work supported by evaluative statements/reports, oral presentations, contextualising essays and viva voce, including self and peer assessment where appropriate. Negotiated content of learning activities and assessment forms part of the ongoing discourse of student development. Intellectual (thinking) skills are promoted through teaching in lectures, practical workshop/laboratory sessions, seminar group discussion and tutorial and are assessed by coursework, essay, oral presentation and viva. A substantial part of the programme is given over to independent negotiated individual and collaborative practical creative or performance projects. A final Dissertation and Project embodies the programme's focus on practice as research output with up to 75% of the weighting of the assessment being able to be practical process/performance based. Visiting lecturers and the contribution of professional theatre artists will make a significant contribution to the programme. Assessment methods and requirements are specified for each module on the respective Canvas module page

Opportunities for work related learning

Part of the aim of the course is to offer opportunities for those who have previously committed to working professionally in or with Making New Theatre as their primary employment, or those who wish to make it so, to undertake diversification and development of relevant skills to increase employment opportunities. In the design of the course, all three semesters have modules which either explore or allow for quality placement opportunities with established and reputable employers and organisations. In Understanding the cultural climate part 1 is a research module in which a variety of research tasks take place in order to: 1. Interrogate the new decade long strategy from ACE (Arts council England) 2. Look at the current local, regional and national programming policies (touring) 3. Examine opportunities for your specialist area of practice e.g. where and what writing opportunities exist for new plays and theatre. This is subsequently supported by employers from across the industry e.g. Porl Cooper freelance producer across the North (currently employed by Harrogate theatre, Sheffield Theatres and Leeds University) who specifically works with young companies and writers to develop relationships with venues. It is possible for practice undertaken in an employment or placement context to be included in the activity leading to the assessment of other respective modules e.g. The Personal Passion Project. For example, in the case of designers (lighting) - it would we feasible for them use activity in their employment context as part of their activity and then develop a reflective research document that forms the focus of the final Dissertation / Research Project. The aim is to remain flexible to the best possible mode of delivery for each respective student and to agree all of this through Learning Contract prior to the commencement of each module. It is anticipated that in the Module - Responding to the Cultural climate part 1 that there is an opportunity to include an element of observation activity or internship and/or direct connection to a professional company or venue. It is anticipated that in the Module - Responding to the Cultural climate part 2 that there is an opportunity to include an element of observation activity or internship and/or direct connection to a professional artist company or venue. In the Crafting Passion module prior to the final intensive project, it is possible to include off-campus placement or work-based learning which will lead to specific artefact as agreed with the program team. A placement or work-based learning may be activated through contacts and the comprehensive professional networks of staff but ultimately it is the responsibility of the student to negotiate the placement. The Programme Leader (or nominated staff deputy) In each case, such practice must be planned well in advance and relevant mechanisms for supervision and assessment must be agreed with the host before the commencement of any placement/work-based learning. All agreements will form part of a Learning Contract signed by staff and student, usually prior to commencement of any activity. A mentor from the staff team will be appointed as liaison for the duration of the placement to offer continuous support to both students and employers who will also be offered relevant training with a staff visit to the organisation. Placement contract agreements outlining expectations will then be drawn up to be met by both parties. This consultation and agreements will take place before the placement begins with the employer and student. Communication, both in form and frequency, will be agreed with the student in advance, and the opportunity for students to receive support at any time through contact with the mentor will also be available.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

An alternative award of Postgraduate Diploma in Making New Theatre will be offered to students who do not achieve a pass in, or do not attempt, the final 60 credits module but have gained 120 credits within the programme An alternative award of Postgraduate Certificate in Making New Theatre will … For more content click the Read More button below.

Entry Requirements

Relevant work experience
Undergraduate degree

Extra Entry Requirements

You will be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient knowledge to embark on and complete the programme and will provide evidence of your learning capability, study opportunity and commitment in the interview process.

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH25-02) performing arts