BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice
UCAS Code: W310
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
Passes in two subjects at A level Subjects required are: • English or Drama at A Level
Passes in three subjects at Higher level Subjects required are: • English or Drama at Higher
You may also need to…
Perform an audition
About this course
The BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice Programme is an interdisciplinary performance-making degree focused on the generation of new and original performances that sit outside of traditional theatre.
The programme aims to develop socially engaged artists who can make a contribution in the world as performance-makers, educators, advocates and active citizens. The programme is committed to exploring the ecological and social function of performance and how performance can be an “act of community”. While studying the four-year CPP programme students encounter a range of concepts including social practice, live art, performance art, post-dramatic performance, installation, performance research, site-specific and documentary practices. The diversity of practices means that students are equipped with multiple skills, not only in performance-making but also in facilitation, working in communities and collaboration.
The student journey over the four years begins with The Ego-centric Artist: Digging From Where You Stand in first year. After beginning with devising autobiographical work, in second year students move out from the idea of the “self” and begin to work in communities and educational context framed as The Socio-centric Artist: Radical Pedagogy in Action. Third year is The Researching Artist: An Ecology of Mind where students undertake performance research projects and the final year of study is The Eco-centric Artist: Living a Sustainable Practice where they do their degree show (at the Into the New festival) and also chose from a range of Artist Commissions including working in prisons, directing, undertaking a secondment or making site-specific work. As the student progresses through the programme their learning becomes more autonomous and they begin to clearly define and situate their own arts practice within various contexts.
Assessments range from making performance (solo and collaboratively), creating artist statements, writing performance analyses, planning and facilitating workshops, devising and undertaking a performance research project, constructing a professional portfolio, and many other things – every day is different! A highlight of the programme is the community of practice which is fostered through site-specific trips, weekly coffee gatherings, the programme’s Into the New and Propel festivals and our annual week-long Creative Residential Retreat in the Borders of Scotland.
Modules
Year One
In the first year the focus is autobiographical – you learn about yourself and what you are bringing to a space as a performer. You will learn about the methods and strategies of making performance using autobiography as your material. You are encouraged to question your attitudes, values and understandings and translate these discoveries into original performance work.
Year Two
In your second year you begin to explore how to apply your arts practice in social and participatory contexts including community and educational contexts. You will take part in a residency in a community which will result in an original piece of performance work. This stage of the programme focuses on your development as a socio-centric artist and how you engage with other people.
Year Three
The emphasis is on the researching artist. You will learn how to create text for performance, supported through individual mentoring by a performance tutor. You will study the ‘researching artist’ culminating in a dissertation exploring an idea relevant to your own performance practice. You can also undertake a professional placement and create an original collaborative performance.
Year Four
In your final year the focus is on ‘The Ecocentric Artist”, you will work towards developing a sustainable arts practice that will support your transition into your chosen professional field. You will make an original performance work for the Into The New festival staged in a performance venue in Glasgow. You will have the opportunity to select projects which focus on directing, arts in participatory contexts, arts in criminal justice settings, site-specific work or an international professional secondment.
CPP Choice Modules offered include Arts and Medicine and Somatic Practices.
For more information on the programme, plesae see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ba-contemporary-performance-practice/
Tuition fees
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Extra funding
The Royal Conservatoire is able to offer a number of entrance scholarships which are awarded as part of the audition/selection process on the basis of merit and financial need. Please see our website for more information - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/apply/finance/scholarships/.
The Uni
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film
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