Writing for Performance, BA

This course remains open to new applications. If you make an application via UCAS, your application will be marked as 'late' but will still be considered for progression to interview and this will not affect your chances of being offered a place

Course information

Duration
3 years full-time
Course start
October
Award
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice

UCAS code

Institution
C35
Course
W470

About this course

On the Writing for Performance course, you can: 

  • Develop skills for writing for performance practices 
  • Create new performance work and explore innovative forms of writing for solo performance, verbatim theatre and devised theatre 
  • Work with award-winning playwrights, arts practitioners and directors 
  • Position yourself as a writer within the performance process 
  • Explore a broad curriculum that is centred around socially engaged performance practices and the dramaturgical skills of writing 
  • Develop your writing skills in different community contexts in the UK and abroad 
  • Study alongside students on the BA Drama, Applied Theatre and Education and BA Experimental Arts and Performance programmes, offering a vibrant meshing of writing and live performance art at undergraduate level at Central.  

You will work with a variety of high profile writers, arts practitioners and directors, encountering a diverse range of innovative performance practices that use writing for performance in different ways.  

Exploration

Commencing with an exploration of classical dramaturgical approaches to writing and moving on to explore practices such as stand-up comedy, writing for communities and solo performance, you critically interrogate the role of the writer within the creative process. You will examine how this is historically constructed and how it changes in different eras and within different performance contexts.  

Through an engagement with a series of practical writing projects, you will learn about different genres of writing for performance, exploring areas such as collaborative approaches to writing, political theatre, verbatim and testimonial theatre, and writing for live art and digital media.  

Collaboration

A key component of the course is an emphasis on collaboration leading to engagement with many performance practices. You will work with key practitioners and writers within the field of theatre, drama and performance and with diverse participant groups and communities. You will have the opportunity to participate and create projects in collaboration with other students and explore the role of the writer within different community-specific creative projects.

Work Closely With Major Organisations 

Central works closely with major organisations internationally and in the UK and has formed partnerships with professional new writing organisations and many innovative and cutting-edge practitioners and writers. Organisations include the Hampstead Theatre, National Theatre and the Young Vic, as well as community based  organisations such as Little Fish Theatre Company, Core Arts and Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust.

Leverhulme Funding for Applied Theatre students

Find out more about how The Leverhulme Trust is providing major funding for the many exciting Applied Theatre student projects .

Second-year Entry

You can apply for second-year entry to this course if you have already undertaken first year study at another institution on a relevant course, taken a HND and HNC qualification or have relevant experience. Please contact admissions@cssd.ac.uk to find out more information.

Course video

Accordion

  • Course Detail

    Throughout the three years of study, you will encounter a wide range of learning and teaching styles and engage with learning through practical workshops and theatre making, as well as lectures and seminars.

    Year 1: Exploring concepts and ideas 

    • Explore concepts and ideas relating to writing for performance and applied theatre through a lecture programme and practical workshops.  
    • You are introduced to playwriting and the dramaturgical work of  the writer, undertaking the practical study of writing for performance and the critical study of contemporary theatre.  
    • Many units include a strong practical element where you will work as writers and creators, specifically in term three where, currently, students create and participate in a major devised performance practice spread over the entire summer term.  

    Year 2: Workshops/masterclasses/study units 

    • You will engage with professional playwrights and theatre makers and produce a short extract of script to be presented at a rehearsed reading and a piece of solo performance.  
    • Further lecture programmes are based around writing for performance, playtexts and the role of drama as a force for change in contemporary society.  
    • You will experience the role of the writer in an applied theatre context through study units and a collaborative outreach project, working in a group creatively in London or beyond, including overseas.  

    Year 3: Focus on professional development 

    • You will pursue your own specialist interests further.
    • Units include a dissertation or a playwriting research project, a writing project where you will be placed as a writer within a community context and a final student-led performance and writing-focused practical project.  
    • You will engage in a residency project, where you will be placed in a community, heritage or arts organisation where you research and develop a short play.
    • The degree concludes with a specialist lecture series delivered by artists, academics and researchers, who are pioneers in the field of drama, theatre, performance and applied theatre. 

    Assessment  

    Assessment methods used include presentations, practice, drama and writing workshops, research projects, traditional essays, a dissertation and the creation of new writing, some of which will be viewed by professionals working in the industry.

    • Industry & Placements

      Throughout the degree students have the opportunity to work in collaboration with industry professionals, from visiting lecturers, professional playwrights and workshops by leading practitioners and academics in the field of theatre and performance, to creating projects and performances with professional companies and artists.  

      The course nurtures relationships with local, national and international community and educational arts organisations such as: Oldham Theatre Workshop in Oldham (which uses theatre to contribute to the personal and social development of all people in Oldham) and internationally with organisations such as HEXlappies, as South African community arts.

      Your experience with industry will vary from masterclasses with some of the country’s leading theatre practitioners and playwrights, to interaction with small scale, innovative companies.

      Professional companies are invited to create new practice with you, either on-site at Central, on tour in various parts of the UK, or at off-site theatre venues and performance spaces.  
      For example, in previous years, students have worked with a number of different theatre companies at the Minack Theatre Cornwall, including Cartoon de Salvo and Twisting Yarn.

      Students have also participated in staff-led research projects and workshops led by artists from companies such as Graeae Theatre Company, ZU-UK and Little Fish Theatre.

      All students participating in placements will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a mandatory government safeguarding scheme for all those seeking to work in any capacity with minors or vulnerable adult

    • Recent Visiting Professionals

      Leo Butler ( Redundant, Lucky Dog), Guleraana Mir (Misfits, Santi & Naz), Tanika Gupta MBE (The Waiting Room, Sugar Mummies),  Jennifer Farmer (Compact FailureTruth or Dare 2017),  Tim Crouch (I, MalvolioThe Author, An Oak Tree, My Arm, Don’t Forget the Driver for BBC2), Hassan Mahamdallie (Quiet Rebels co-written with Julie McNamara, The Crows Plucked Your Sinews).

    • Meet the Writing for Performance Graduates from 2023

      The BA Writing for Performance Class of 2023 hosted the ‘Coming Write-Up’ New Writing Festival to celebrate the end of their time on the course.

    • Entry Requirements and Admissions

      Minimum Entry Requirements

      Our standard academic entry requirements range between 120 and 96 UCAS tariff points. As part of meeting these tariff points, we consider a range of qualifications including A Levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can see how many tariff points your qualifications would gain on the UCAS Tariff Calculator. International qualifications and others not covered within the UCAS tariff can also be accepted. Please email us if you need further clarification.

      Please note that we may make lower offers (including unconditional) to exceptional candidates and those who have alternative or prior experience to offer. All candidates are invited to interview, which is a key factor in determining who is accepted on to the course.

      Admissions

      For details of admission with academic credit see Undergraduate Applications.

      Application Details

      We look for these qualities in applicants:

      • an interest in theatre and performance in different social and cultural settings (e.g. community theatre and theatre in prisons)
      • good academic abilities in reading, analysis and writing
      • an enquiring mind
      • a collaborative, supportive approach to practical work
      • practical drama skills (e.g. in performance)
      • the ability to reflect constructively
      • a commitment to equality of opportunity in society
      • leadership skills
      • creativity, flexibility, focus and professional conduct.

      We particularly encourage applications from groups currently under-represented in higher education, such as students with disabilities and members of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. Find out more information on Central’s commitment to equality and diversity.

      Interviews

      Find out more about the interview process for this course.

      International Interviews

      Each year Central hosts a number of interviews outside of the UK, with a team of tutors from Central travelling to meet applicants. The international interviews are designed to replicate the London-based interview experience in every aspect (other than a tour of our site!). See our Event Finder for listings of upcoming interview locations and dates.

      International Students

      Visit the International Students section to view details of English language requirements for Central’s courses.

    • Tuition Fees, Bursaries and Scholarships

      Tuition Fees for 2024 Entry

      UK (Home) students: £9,250 per year*
      Overseas students: £25,200 per year

      Please note that there may be additional costs that you need to incur as part of the training for the course.

      Full information is available on the Tuition Fees and Additional Costs page.


      Bursaries and Scholarships

      Central offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. If you are holding an offer for a place on a course then you will be invited to apply for a bursary or scholarship.

      UK-based undergraduate students who are applying for a student maintenance loan and have a household income under £35,000 will automatically be awarded our Access to Central Bursary.

      *If you are a UK student but already hold a qualification at the equivalent or higher level to the one that you are applying for, then you may be classed as an ELQ student and be required to pay the same fee as an overseas student.

    Student Feedback

    “The visiting lecturers were very helpful for us – we met artists who are creating work in applied theatre and learnt about what we could do after we graduate. We were in a small group during the first year learning the theory and techniques of writing. In the second year we started to do more creative writing, developing our style and discovering what kind of writing we could bring to the applied theatre world.”

    Azania Hammond-Dallas

    Graduated BA DATE: Writing for Performance in 2018

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