Theatre BA (Hons) - 2024/5

Other information

This programme is aligned to the University of Surrey¿s Five Pillars of Curriculum Design and design, namely (in alphabetical order), Digital Capabilities, Employability, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Resourcefulness & Resilience, and Sustainability. Specifically, these pillars are covered in this programme in the following ways:

Digital Capabilities: graduates from the programme will be multi-skilled professionals who can confidently use digital tools in their work and have a proactive attitude to lifelong learning and innovation, as the creative industries continue to develop and change. Hence building knowledge and confidence with digital skills will be embedded throughout the course. Students will engage throughout with the VLE, online recourses and database, and will use Microsoft Teams for production work and other information sharing) from the beginning of the programme. A very large range of industry specific software and hardware is used in all modules and in professional development students will create a personal website and think critically about their online presence and identity. Software and other resources are reviewed annually to ensure the programme keeps abreast with industry innovation and development and students are encouraged to be creative and innovative in their own use of digital technology.

Employability: employability is embedded and inherent in the programme throughout the students¿ journey. From Level 4 students begin to learn about the structures, systems, organisations, practitioners and companies that make up the global entertainment industry. They also begin to work with associate tutors and freelance creatives (such as designers and directors) who are professional practitioners, ensuring an introduction to the network of the entertainment industry. This work with professionals continues and increases through production work at Level 5 & 6, regular guest speakers and field trips and an introduction to industry organisations. Through the professional development modules, students are encouraged to reflect on their gaols and aspirations and undertake personal professional development planning to work proactively towards those goals. They will also create CVs and personal marketing materials and undertake mock interviews. In their final year students will be actively encouraged to undertake a professional placement. All placement and casual/vacation work opportunities which come to staff attention are publicised to the whole student body via the course Teams page. Finally, students will create their own website which will showcase their employability to companies, employers and practitioners globally. Throughout the programme we make use of the support and resources of the Surrey careers service.

Global and Cultural Capabilities: The entertainment industry is a global one and students are made aware of this from the beginning of their programme of study. Where possible, students are given the freedom to choose texts which reflect and engage with their own lived experience, perspectives and diversity and encouraged to develop their global, social, historical and cultural awareness. The student cohort is international and as such students share experiences and knowledge from their own backgrounds and cultures and learn to appreciate diverse perspectives. There is an expectation that students will keep an open mind, a willingness to learn and engage in discussion to broaden their understanding of the varying approaches of the global creative industries. Every effort is made to make production and performance work accessible and inclusive, supported by University Equality, Diversity and Inclusion guidance and Disability & Neurodiversity services.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: The process of creative theatrical productions, by its very nature, supports the development of resourcefulness and resilience in participants. Students undertake intensive classes, rehearsals and performance schedules which evolve their skillset through practice and enable and empower them to navigate uncertainty, deal with risks and challenges and pursue future goals both individually and through team working with others. ¿Real-world¿ production work schedules reflect the kind of resourcefulness and resilience that is needed to work effectively in the global creative industries, which in turn nurture students' self-management skills. Classes, rehearsals and performances require both independent and collaborative learning, peer support, problem-solving, communication, independence, perseverance, stamina, self-value and critical thinking, all of which promote resourcefulness and resilience. Students are supported throughout and beyond their training by expert staff with practitioner backgrounds, who are sensitive to the challenges to mental and physical health posed by the global and creative industries and can give advice and guidance on where to seek further help within both university and industry contexts ¿ again, empowering students to take control of their own learning and overcome any barriers to learning.

Sustainability: Sustainable practices in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals are central to theatre and entertainment production. All GSA productions are planned, designed and undertaken to meet high sustainability standards in line with current industry guidance and frameworks for environmental theatre practice. Students are challenged to ensure their practical work in all departments is as sustainable as possible and this is reflected in the assessed learning outcomes. Concepts of sustainability are embedded in all modules and student progress from knowledge and awareness of these at Level 4 to managing and innovating at Level 6. Students are encouraged to contextualise their learning by reflecting on their current and future social, cultural, ethical, political, economic and environmental impact from both a personal and professional perspective and to recognise a sense of shared responsibility.