The MA Theatre Practice: Performance and Scenography at Aberystwyth University is aimed at students who intend to pursue creative practice in performance and scenography in order to become professional artists and/or practice-based researchers. Housed in its own dedicated building and led by internationally recognised practitioners, this MA enables personal and professional development through the sustained exercise of creative practice in performance and scenography.

Within Aberystwyth’s historic Assembly Rooms, you will have the opportunity to work daily in studios and workshops as a community (or ‘Assembly’) of experimental, developing artists, specialising in diverse aspects of contemporary performance practice, from scenography, design and installation, to acting, writing and directing. Whilst supporting personal pathways, the teaching will foster such specialisms by encouraging them to intersect and intertwine, forming a cultural environment of collaboration and exchange, in order to strengthen the creativity of the individual, and the individuality of their creativity.

Overview

Why study MA Theatre Practice: Performance and Scenography at Aberystwyth University?

Access to dedicated studios and workspace in Aberystwyth’s historic Assembly Rooms.
Creative development led by internationally recognised practitioners.
Part of a vibrant department where drama, theatre, film, media, scenography and theatre design collide.
An annual programme of departmental research seminars, with high-profile visiting speakers and performers.
Access to the National Library of Wales, and its archives.
Extraordinary and inspiring location and environment.
The Aberystwyth Arts Centre is situated on the main campus and is a popular venue where you can enjoy performances of all kinds.

Employability

Our graduates will be well-prepared to work within a breadth of creative and related industries, as individual practitioners or as collaborators within creative companies and organisations. They will also acquire essential skills to pursue practice-based research and further academic study at PhD level.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment takes the form of: a performed lecture and a presentation; the creation of a performance or scenographic event, contribution to the realisation of a collaboratively devised performance project or scenographic event, a written reflective portfolio, a critical evaluation and two written essays. In the third semester, each student will complete either a practice-based research project or a written dissertation. The practice-based research project can be submitted as either an individually conceived and developed or a collaboratively conceived and developed performance work or scenographic event. For the written dissertation students are invited to identify and pursue research questions that are addressed through independently undertaken scholarly or practice-based research.