BA (Hons) Theatre Practice

BA (Hons) Theatre Practice is a complete training programme for the production of theatre and live performance arts. It comprises three-year, specialist degree pathways in Costume Construction, Design for the Stage, Performance Arts, Production Lighting, Prop Making, Puppetry, Scenic Art, Scenic Construction, Stage Management, Technical and Production Management, Theatre Lighting Design and Theatre Sound.

To apply, email admissions@cssd.ac.uk.

The course focuses on the development of reflective theatre practitioners through specialist expertise required by today’s theatre and performance industries. Students will develop important communication skills, company-based creativity and mutual respect for the process of others by applying their specialism on a range of projects and productions in collaboration with other specialist theatre practice strand students, modelled on creative teams experience in professional practice. There is also the opportunity to work with acting, applied theatre, movement, voice, dramaturgy and writing students, encountering many different models of theatre and performance practice.

Unlike most competitors, this course admits students who already have a commitment to a specialist area of theatre practice on entry. It is, therefore, able to develop students to a higher level of specialist practice (with advanced skills of interdisciplinary collaboration).

The following strands are accredited by the National Council for Drama Training: Costume Construction, Production Lighting, Prop Making, Scenic Art, Scenic Construction, Stage Management, Technical and Production Management and Theatre Sound.

Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with professional companies and individuals. Recent collaborators include Punchdrunk, Parrot {in the} Tank, Blind Summit, English National Opera, Little Angel, the Royal National Theatre, the Roundhouse, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Robert LePage, Circus Space and Emergency Exit Arts.

Students will, where appropriate, have the opportunity to use technical facilities unrivalled in the sector. Alongside traditional techniques and methods, students will be expected to engage with the latest digital practices, including computer-aided drafting, rendering and modelling, image capture and manipulation, and digital sound production and manipulation. Central has dedicated facilities, including digital editing suites and computers with the latest software.

Admission

Applicants meeting the admissions criteria will be invited to attend an interview, which are usually held from December onwards for courses starting the following October. You will need to bring examples of your previous work in support of your application. Depending upon your subject, it may include:

photographs, drawings, sketch books, etc., which illustrate your visual awareness, practical ability and 3-dimensional capability
production notes and photographs of productions that you have been involved in, or reviews of productions that have excited you
paintings, examples of sewing, use of textiles, small artefacts or models, puppets, technical and/or working drawings
props lists, setting lists, prompt copies, cue sheets, schedules or any other paperwork that you have produced, or have been given, that has helped you to organise your tasks
images of workshops or productions you have been involved in.

Successful candidates will need to demonstrate the following at interview:

a genuine interest in, and enquiring approach to, the live performing arts
the ability to evaluate their previous work
how this relates to their contribution to the creation of performance
an aptitude for, and understanding of, their chosen field of interest
a willingness and ability to communicate ideas and to work effectively within a group
the ability to manage their own work as an individual.

All students undertaking work-based learning or performances that involve minors or vulnerable adults may be required to complete a Criminal Records Bureau check and register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS).

Further Study

Central welcomes applications from students wishing to study for four years in London and progress straight through from BA (Hons) Theatre Practice to a master’s qualification in the following subjects: