Lancaster's degree in Theatre and Creative Writing is taught jointly by the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA) and the Department of English and Creative Writing. It combines the study of Theatre with the writing of original and imaginative fiction, poetry or plays. These two different focuses reinforce and complement each other.
Studying Theatre at Lancaster gives you the opportunity to learn about innovative twentieth and twenty-first century theatre and performance through an exciting and varied mix of practical and academic approaches. You will be taught by internationally esteemed, award winning theatre practitioners and scholars and will gain critical and creative skills that open up possibilities for working in theatre, while making you attractive to a wide range of other employers.
Your Creative Writing courses are taught by a team of widely published authors through a combination of lectures, readings, practice and discussion in regular tutor-led workshops. Your degree includes an Introduction to Creative Writing in your first year, and in your second and third years of study you will choose additional genre-specific units such as Short Fiction, Poetry Writing or Creative Non-fiction.
You will begin your degree with core courses including, an Introduction to Theatre Studies and Creative Writing. In your second year you’ll move on to subjects such as Theatre Techniques, Performance Composition, Work Placement, Intermediate Creative Writing and Critical Reflections. You will then complete your degree by choosing from a selection of Theatre and Creative Writing modules on offer including a final year theatre production module.
This course can be combined with other courses to make a full programme. It goes well with any subject but particularly works well with Art or Media based subjects and English and Humanities courses. In the first year you will complete an AS level.
This courses allow you to combine practical performance with theoretical work, based on studying set plays and their stage history. The course has a practical feel and will be largely taught in studio spaces. It is delivered over two years and combines the study of one set play, alongside the performance of one scripted piece and one reinterpretation of an existing text, plus two further performance pieces, one scripted and one devised, and the study of two set texts.
Assessment is by practical performance and written coursework (60%) and written examination (40%).
What topics will I study?
You will:
We offer a wide range of theatre trips to a variety of venues across the year. We ask that students have an open mind and attitude and learn to appreciate theatre and performance in a range of forms, styles and genres. We also invite professional theatre practitioners to come into College and provide both practical and theoretical workshops in order to enhance the learning experience.
This course offers extensive training in contemporary and jazz dance techniques, acting and singing. We also teach you about the performance industry and the opportunities that are available.
You will take part in five assessed performances over the year in front of an external audience, as well as having the exciting opportunity to audition for a full length musical, with students previously performing Les Misérables and Sweeney Todd.
Our teachers are industry professionals who are passionate about the subject and will continually push you to be the best performer you can be. If you are looking for a lively, engaging and creative course, Performing Arts is the perfect choice for you!
This course is available as:
Drama & Theatre combines the study of practical performance with the history and social context of theatre. It is the study of a range of practitioners and acting styles, as well as reading and analysing plays. It also includes learning about stage-craft and stage management skills in set design, lighting and sound.
Studying this subject will enable you to explore the history and social context of theatre and play texts. It will challenge you practically and academically and you will develop your own performance skills, which can be transferred to a variety of career paths and opportunities.
If you’re looking to become a versatile and multi-skilled performer, and join a creative community of filmmakers, screenwriters and actors, this is the course for you.
You’ll explore acting for stage, performance and camera, with many opportunities to collaborate and build a portfolio of original work – learning to take a production from concept to performance.
We welcome students from all around the world and celebrate your vibrant, individual stories. We encourage you to embrace what’s unique about you (from languages and accents to culture and heritage), and work closely with you to develop your individual talents.
You’ll focus on six interconnected areas of study:
- Acting
- Performance-making
- Acting for screen
- Textual analysis
- Creative enterprise
- Theories, contexts and concepts
By combining theory and practical application, you’ll develop your own artistic identity – exploring acting, voice, movement and scenography to hone your techniques and build your own creative toolkit.
You’ll learn how theatre has evolved in response to the needs and aspirations of different societies, and build a broad understanding of the social, political and cultural contexts that have influenced both playwrights and performers over the years.
You’ll be taught be professional actors, casting directors, filmmakers and screenwriters, many of whom continue to work in the industry alongside teaching. And, being in London means your studies will be enhanced by field trips, professional workshops and guest talks from industry experts.
You’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad in your second year – immersing yourself in a new culture while expanding your awareness of performance and film.
Drama, theatre and performance can transform how we think, act and understand the world. They help us remember the past, change the present and imagine alternative futures.
This course is for you if you’d like to:
Site-specific theatre, live art, durational performance, contemporary playwriting, choreography and composition, visual arts, creative writing, acting and directing – you’ll learn from tutors who bring their passion to their teaching. Our campus facilities include the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, which hosts professional theatre, music and dance by UK and international companies. We’re committed to antiracist pedagogy, and inclusive teaching and learning. Throughout your degree, you’ll:
When you graduate, you’ll be curious, critically informed and self-reflective. You’ll be able to make sophisticated performance, and shape cogent arguments in written work and discussion. Your skills as a critical thinker, creative practitioner and knowledgeable researcher will set you up for your future career.
Learn to be a versatile performing artist. Personalise your studies between dance, drama and musical theatre to suit your evolving interests and aspirations. Become a confident, experienced, industry ready professional.
Study in a multidisciplinary way – which you will know is reflective of the industry. Experiment with new things, create a personal pathway with a focus on dance, drama or musical theatre or a mix of all three. Personalise your studies to suit your evolving interests and aspirations. Build the necessary skills to succeed in higher education, recognise your own strengths and idiosyncrasies and establish yourself as an employable practitioner.
Whether you wish to dance, act, devise, choreograph, teach or facilitate, this course will give you the skills, techniques, confidence and experience to be industry ready. You will develop as a creative and versatile individual; we want you to graduate with the best opportunities possible that will prepare you for a successful career in the performing arts world.
Successful completion of this course will qualify you for Spotlight adult performer membership.
