Study a unique programme where you can creatively engage with both traditional and alternative forms of theatre.
We encourage you to engage with a wide range of approaches to making theatre and performance. This includes looking at traditional forms of theatre, while also engaging with alternative forms of making performance such as devising. There’s actor training to do with straight acting, comedy and physical theatre.
Studying Drama at Chester involves working with a dynamic, international team of tutors, with a wealth of industry experience. The staff team currently includes experienced theatre directors, applied theatre practitioners, and experts in actor training and physical theatre. Alongside this, you can work with specialists in areas such as live art and interactive digital performance.
There is a large emphasis on practical work here at the University of Chester. We have a wide range of modular choices, and students have a number of options as they develop a range of skills over the course of their degree. So whether you want to be a performer, a director, a facilitator or a project manager, in your final year there’s an opportunity for you to specialise in your chosen profession within the creative industries.
Here at Chester, we have a thriving performance ennvironment, with regular productions and performances by both our undergraduate and postgraduate students. There are regular workshops and guest performances from visitng artists, and opportunities to get work experience through our extensive industry links and, of course, our three resident, professional theatre companies.
There are a number of extracurricular activities to get involved with such as regular trips to theatres, galleries and other creative spaces. We also invite practitioners and facilitators from outside companies to come and host workshops.
We pride ourselves on the quality of support we offer, and have a range of support packages to help support students during their time at University.
As a student studying Performing Arts you'll benefit from excellent links with the professional industry, both nationally and internationally
Explore music performance and grow as a performer
On this BA (Hons) Music Performance degree you will have individual tuition in instrumental and/or vocal performance and have the opportunity to join a selection of university musical groups including six orchestras, five choirs and nine other taught performance ensembles. Ensembles perform throughout the year and attend a rich programme of concerts, recitals and masterclasses by visiting artists. You will train in the art of performance and study topics including performance anxiety, the use of gesture and movement in performance, and concert and event hosting.
You will complete a personal study module where you have the chance present a longer and more challenging programme of work.
On this course you will:
Study a unique programme where you can creatively engage with both traditional and alternative forms of theatre.
We encourage you to engage with a wide range of approaches to making theatre and performance. This includes looking at traditional forms of theatre, while also engaging with alternative forms of making performance such as devising. There’s actor training to do with straight acting, comedy and physical theatre.
Studying Drama at Chester involves working with a dynamic, international team of tutors, with a wealth of industry experience. The staff team currently includes experienced theatre directors, applied theatre practitioners, and experts in actor training and physical theatre. Alongside this, you can work with specialists in areas such as live art and interactive digital performance.
There is a large emphasis on practical work here at the University of Chester. We have a wide range of modular choices, and students have a number of options as they develop a range of skills over the course of their degree. So whether you want to be a performer, a director, a facilitator or a project manager, in your final year there’s an opportunity for you to specialise in your chosen profession within the creative industries.
Here at Chester, we have a thriving performance ennvironment, with regular productions and performances by both our undergraduate and postgraduate students. There are regular workshops and guest performances from visitng artists, and opportunities to get work experience through our extensive industry links and, of course, our three resident, professional theatre companies.
There are a number of extracurricular activities to get involved with such as regular trips to theatres, galleries and other creative spaces. We also invite practitioners and facilitators from outside companies to come and host workshops.
We pride ourselves on the quality of support we offer, and have a range of support packages to help support students during their time at University.
As a student studying Performing Arts you'll benefit from excellent links with the professional industry, both nationally and internationally
Our Acting degree is an industry standard training programme which prepares students to work in theatre, TV and film.
Studying Acting at Chester involves working with a dynamic, international team of tutors with a wealth of industry experience. There are a range of exciting module choices, and students are encouraged to develop their employability and graduate skills throughout the course. The Department has excellent links with the professional industry: locally, nationally and internationally.
You will work closely with directors and practitioners who specialise in a range of areas, developing productions in each year of the degree, alongside studying many other practical and theoretical aspects of performance.
The staff team currently includes experienced directors and producers for both stage and screen, applied theatre practitioners, and experts in actor training and physical theatre.
The Department is a vibrant, close-knit and supportive community of performers and practitioners, working in the excellent facilitites at Creative Campus, Kingsway.
The Department boasts impressive facilities, including fully equipped rehearsal and performance studios.
We pride ourselves on the quality of support we offer, and have a range of support packages to help support students during their time at University.
Explore our study abroad opportunities and student exchange programmes
The department boasts impressive facilities, including fully equipped rehearsal and performance studios and an outdoor amphitheatre.
Covering all aspects of musical theatre skills and opportunities for creating new music theatre, this practice-based course is ideal if you are looking ahead to a career as an on-stage performer or back-stage creative.
Our musical theatre degree includes weekly drama school-style actor training, focussing on all the classic musical theatre skills including acting, singing, dance, ensemble singing and yoga. These developing skills are realised in a full-scale production in each year of the course. In addition to performing in a full-scale musical, you will also take on a production role, including stage management, design, assistant director, hair and makeup, costume, front of house and many more. By both performing and having a production role you take full ownership of your musical theatre production and gain valuable experience across a range of creative roles.
You will also be able to explore your own creativity by co-creating original pieces of musical theatre. Through engagement with a variety of contemporary musical and performance techniques, you will expand your creative frames of reference to develop and understand new ways of combining music and theatre. There are opportunities to work with visiting creatives and performers, including working with a professional director in your third year production.
Inclusivity and community, as well as safe and supportive spaces, lie at the heart of the music theatre course. Together staff and students build and nurture an environment that is thriving with the highest level of training, and develop performers who are individual, unique, professional, and great company members. Personal support and guidance are a key aspect of our delivery to students.
On the FdA Professional and Commercial Dance, you'll have the opportunity to gain core skills in ballet, jazz, contemporary and commercial dance, and develop the knowledge and practical experience needed for employment in a variety of exciting and demanding professions in the performing arts industry.
Delivered by Shockout Arts, our 2-year FdA Professional and Commercial Dance course supports you in acquiring and developing essential technical, artistic and theoretical competence through professional training to an intermediate/level 5 standard. If you're an aspiring dance artist, completing this 2-year foundation degree provides the platform to either begin your professional career or undertake a final year at the advanced level to gain a level 6 qualification. If you wish to continue your training at the level 6 BA (Hons) level with Shockout Arts, your application will be considered through assessment and interview.
You'll be based at Shockout Arts in Manchester, studying and training in their purpose-built, high-specification dance studios that are equal to professional industry standards. Alongside your intensive practical dance training, you'll have regular performance opportunities to help you develop a diverse range of performance and production skills.
In addition to exploring the core techniques, you'll be encouraged to build your skills in acting and singing, ready to take advantage of employment opportunities in musical theatre performance. You'll also be guided to develop a knowledge and understanding of the historical, cultural, societal and political factors that influence UK and international dance practice.
The teaching staff at Shockout Arts are professional practitioners and choreographers. They are keen to make your time with them as stimulating and rewarding as possible and enjoy a well-deserved reputation for being approachable and interested in your progress. As teaching often occurs in small groups, you can access individual support and guidance at every stage.
Explore choreographic research methods while developing and promoting your own artistic voice
Are you looking for a qualification to equip you for a range of careers in choreography, performing arts, dance development, arts administration, performance, teaching or dance research? Or are you interested in a postgraduate course to prepare you for further study such as a PhD or professionally-related qualification?
If you enjoy problem-solving, creative thinking, engaging in debate and independent and group work, then this course is for you.
This MA Choreography and Professional Practice course explores choreography, improvisation, devising and experimentation, professional and artistic development and portfolio working. You will have opportunities to network with industry professionals and improve your portfolio as you study.
You will be challenged to explore your practice and examine your working methods as a dance-maker. This course will introduce you to choreographic research methods and strategies for documenting live performance practice and promoting your work.
There will be opportunities to pursue live performance practices as a choreographer, consider your work in relation to the wider field of professional contemporary dance practice, develop your artistic voice and explore single discipline or interdisciplinary practice-based projects involving choreography, performance, fine art, music and installation.
You will lead projects and focus on topics that interest you in performance making as you explore and expand on your existing choreographic practice in a dynamic research environment. You will examine innovative and experimental approaches to choreographic practice, research and scholarship, and discover topics including choreographic practices and methods of research, somatic approaches, developing movement vocabularies, collaboration, devising and experimentation.
Learn from experienced industry professionals and benefit from our close relationship with regional dance industry providers and practitioners. Staff work in a range of fields, including dance theatre, new media and dance film, site-specific and installation work.
Some of the course content will be delivered on campus, with some content taught off-site in Brighton, London or other venues. You need to be flexible and prepared to travel to make the most of this opportunity. You will need to pay your own travel costs.
