Theatre and the cultural industries are one of the fastest-growing sectors in the UK and the theatre industry is changing rapidly. Our innovative degree will allow you to gain the skills you need to build a portfolio career in the arts. You'll have many opportunities to collaborate and work within the industry while exploring a range of diverse specialisms that will place you at the forefront of emerging performance practices.
This course has been designed to develop your skills and talents as a performer while equipping you with a wide range of theatre-making and production skills that give you the ability to put your creative ideas into action. We have a long-held reputation in industry for producing innovative, highly-skilled and thoughtful graduates who go on to challenge conventions and re-shape how theatre is made and seen.
As well as performance training with leading practitioners, you'll discover a range of production skills essential to making theatre, allowing you to build a wide portfolio of skills and specialisms that will make you highly employable and enable you to build a career in the arts.
If you’re wondering whether to choose a university course or a drama school, Middlesex offers the best of both worlds by combining highly practical teaching and a wide range of performance opportunities with the chance to closely examine why and how theatre is made, giving you the freedom to pursue your interests and discover what makes you unique as a performer and practitioner.
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This course will develop your skills and talents as a performer while equipping you with a wide range of theatre-making and production skills that give you the ability to put your creative ideas into action.
You'll study the key processes and principles of the practice and study of performance and production as well as a diverse range of critical, cultural and historical perspectives on theatre as a live art form. You'll also learn how these are applied or considered in performance practice. You'll explore ethical approaches to theatre-making and the role of critical analysis in your and others’ design practice, and be introduced to professional networks, contexts and organisations relevant to your future career.
During your studies, you'll develop and refine a broad portfolio of skills, methods, techniques and crafts in performance and production practices. You'll gain the key entrepreneurial and administrative skills required for a career in the creative industries, and develop an individual approach to delivering highly creative work underpinned by innovation and critical insight.
This degree will give you the opportunity to develop a solid knowledge of the professional skills and theories around areas such as acting, performing, producing, fundraising, artistic policies and audience development. Your physical and vocal performance skills will also be enhanced and developed as well as the practical approaches to acting, directing and devising performances.
You'll learn to facilitate workshops, collaborate in theatre making and gain an understanding of the key practitioners and concepts in devised performance and text based theatre.
This module introduces you to key principles of acting and performance, including practical approaches to performance, devising and directing. You'll develop skills in physical and vocal performance, devising, textual analysis and collaborative working through a series of practical workshops and group projects.
This module introduces you to key principles of theatre design and technical production through practical workshops and group projects. You will develop an understanding of the role of the theatre designer within a collaborative process, and examine key processes and approaches to designing for live performance.
This module introduces key contexts, debates and critical frameworks relevant to theatre and performance practice. You'll develop your understanding of a range of research methods, and develop your ability to analyse and critique live performance. The module combines self-directed study supported by a range of online resources with live seminars and theatre visits.
This module gives you the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge you have encountered throughout the first year to develop and realise a collaborative theatre project. Working with a tutor and students from across the Performance and Design programmes, you'll participate in all of the creative and production elements necessary to realise a fully-staged piece of theatre.
This module aims to enhance your critical consideration of the social, political and ethical implications of engaging with an audience through your practice. You'll develop employability and workshop-leading skills, and enhance your awareness and consideration of who theatre is for, why, and how this can impact the work from initial concept through to its practical realisation.
The module focuses on the relationship between actor, director and play text. You will develop skills in text analysis, speaking text, and staging/performance through a project-based approach. Further, you will engage with a range of acting and performing systems, including training of voice and body. In this module you will investigate more closely the respective roles of the actor and the director working in rehearsal with a play text and engage in close analysis of action. You will also develop your ability to reflect on your practice, learning and personal development.
The module allows you to develop your skills as a performer and theatre-maker, and apply the skills that you have encountered on other modules in a collaborative performance project. You'll collaborate with students on the Design programme to conceive and realise a collaborative project, working to a shared brief and contributing to the overall thematic and contextual aims of the project.
This module builds on key principles that were introduced in year 1 by exploring and interrogating a range of approaches and interpretative strategies employed by key practitioners. You'll examine developments in contemporary theatre design and strengthen your ability to generate, develop and communicate ideas and concepts effectively; and to execute these concepts through a range of practical tasks and projects.
This module will allow you to experience a range of solo performance practices, through workshops, seminars and independent study. Each form will be examined through a consideration of socio-historical and contextual lenses and will be enhanced by an exploration of key practitioners and practices, culminating in your own performance-making.
This module aims to develop your critical understanding and application of a range of techniques for dramatic writing and dramaturgical intervention. Through the practical exploration of elements of dramatic structure, it aims to equip you with the tools to conceive of and develop a written project throughout the module, developing your understanding of the dramatic form as a tool to communicate your ideas.
This module provides the opportunity to engage in a range of externally-facing projects, placements and/or critical investigations into professional practice. You'll develop your knowledge of professional skills and theories around areas such as producing, fundraising, artistic policies and audience development as well as refining methodologies, attitudes and competencies for seeking work in a professional context.
This module aims to extend your abilities in making physical theatre. You'll engage with a variety of training systems, creating material and improvising scores, leading to a final performance of original work. Through practice-led sessions that investigate the concepts and methodologies of “physical theatres”, you'll re-examine the work and position of the actor/performer in relation to current and historical practice of performance training and ensemble work.
This module provides the opportunity to work in and across groups to create and contextualise collaborative projects which are curated and presented as a collective Theatre Festival. You'll produce the Theatre Festival as an outward-facing public showcase, encouraging you to consider your work in a professional context and apply the practical making skills taught in other modules, alongside the producing skills taught in this module.
This module will extend your critical and practical skills in theatre directing. You'll initiate a series of directing projects enabling you to take a nuanced approach to developing and analysing your professional identity as a director of theatre and/or live performance, and you'll consider where this practice intersects with other skills and disciplines you have engaged with on your programme.
This module aims to extend your individual performance practices in one of two pathways: Stand-up Comedy or Performance Art. You'll develop practical skills and contextual knowledge in one of these forms, applying appropriate performance theory and/or performance philosophy to the development of a live performance in a professional comedy venue, or the exhibition of a work of performance art.
This module aims to allow you to identify a particular site of exploration and experimentation and to engage in a practice-led Research and Development project relevant to the chosen area. The module incentivises risk and experimentation, encouraging you to consider the practical research process as an end in itself, and introduces you to preliminary skills relevant to Practice as Research study at postgraduate level.
* This module is compulsory for the BA Theatre Performance and Production exit award
** This module is compulsory for the BA Theatre Directing and Production exit award
You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
This course will prepare you for a career in the creative industries by providing opportunities to engage in a range of externally-facing projects, placements and/or critical investigations into professional practice.
You'll develop your knowledge of professional skills and theories around areas such as producing, fundraising, artistic policies and audience development as well as refining and diversifying methodologies, attitudes and competencies for seeking and undertaking work in professional contexts.
You'll be encouraged to establish professional links and enhance your employability potential through a practice-led understanding of your chosen professional context(s) and contextualise your own creative practice/identity within a wider industry context.
Our theatre students typically graduate into diverse career paths directly in the theatre industry as well as its many peripheral industries. You could progress to careers in performance and performance-making, directing, dramaturgy, and producing and arts management. You could also advance into arts administration, teaching and non-theatre based careers within film, media, events and other creative industries.
Joe Sims
Theatre graduate
Joe graduated from Middlesex University in 2002. In 2012 he won an Offie (People's favourite male performance) for his role as alleged Texan killer Lee Fenton in As We Forgive Them at the Arcola Theatre in London, and in 2013 he starred alongside David Tennant and Olivia Colman in ITV's critically-acclaimed Broadchurch. Joe has more than 50 radio credits to his name, including a run on the much-loved Radio 4 drama The Archers.
I chose Middlesex because it came with a formidable reputation. Middlesex was one of the universities where alumni went on and forged themselves successful careers in television and theatre, and that was what inspired me to go really.
The first year was a bit of everything, giving us a veritable smorgasbord of routes into the theatre and laying solid foundations from which to build our careers upon. As the course progressed it gave us the opportunity to specialise in what we really wanted to pursue. There are people from the course who have had successful careers in lighting design and stage management because we had to do all of those things. It also gives you a heightened respect and appreciation for all factors of the theatre, knowing each of the jobs that as an actor you often just see going on around you.
Middlesex provided a solid foundation and platform for me to spring from. What Middlesex gives you is the chance to be a better professional and it is far-reaching in terms of your subject knowledge. We learned a lot about the pragmatics of performing.
Rachel Wood
Theatre graduate
I've found the variety of subjects studied on this course, ranging from Solo Performance and Shakespeare in Performance, to full scale collaborative productions, very exciting and I've formed strong foundations in a number of areas I had not previously studied.
If I had to choose a particular piece of work I am especially proud of, it would be my performance in Simon Stephen's production of 'Pornography'. I am particularly proud of Pornography as it was recently taken to the Brighton Fringe Festival, Europe's third biggest Arts Festival, with Thrust Theatre Company, which I am now a part of along with several other Middlesex Theatre students.
Ryan William Funnell
Theatre graduate
The passion for the subject from the tutors was evident the moment I walked into the department. I immediately felt comfortable and confident that this was a supportive and enjoyable place to study, and that to me was really important.
I really like the way the course is put together, with opportunities to explore all aspects of theatrical production through practical, hands on work. I've been able to try my hand at different elements of production and the facilities to be able to do that at Middlesex are wonderful. The ability to then build a course of study over the three years that is unique to you as an individual is a great opportunity.
Zayd Wilson
Theatre graduate
The course has allowed me to network with people who have studied a wide range of theatrical processes. I have met stage designers, directors, actors, stage managers and sound and lighting technicians. To be successful in this industry you need to know a range of people if you wish to work. The fact that many of the tutors either taught or studied at the major drama schools particularly helps when it comes to facilitating this.
This year I produced an adaptation of Samuel Beckett's Endgame. It enabled me to take a concept that I had in my head and bring it to life. I directed and performed in this piece so the feel, emotion and the aesthetics reflected particularly upon me. I contributed a great deal to this and I'm really happy with how it turned out.
Zoe Sofair
Theatre graduate
The tutors here have been amazing, they are always willing to help you, one on one, and they are very supportive and keen to really integrate you into the industry. The tutors, many of whom are also currently working in theatre, clearly love what they do, and their own dedication is really great to see.
The skills I've learned on this course, especially as a stage manager or production manager, are transferable to many other industries, and vital for employment in the theatre industry. I am about to start my first job as a production assistant working on international theatre tours for a very successful theatre production company.
Henry Martin
Theatre graduate
This course is extremely vocational, and I have enjoyed the hands on approach to teaching by lecturers who are passionate about their craft. During this last year of study, I have even been involved in taking two of our shows to the Brighton Fringe Festival, as part of the theatre company, Thrust, which I feel could not have happened without the support that the University has provided.
I would like to go into acting professionally, and Middlesex has given me the knowledge to create my own opportunities. The course is fantastic in equipping us with the tools to form a company and create work of high quality. I have also learnt many new skills that I can take with me into the professional world, such as script writing and solo performance. It is here, also, that I discovered my passion for stage management, which I would not have considered before coming to Middlesex.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
Start: October 2021
Duration: 3 years full-time
Code: W464
