BA (Hons) Perfformio, Theatr a'r Cyfryngau

The modules of our Performing, Theatre and Media course offer a cross-section of experiences which will offer skills and a broad understanding of performing across theatre, the media and new media enabling you, in the third year, to focus on areas which is of particular interest to you.

You will receive every opportunity and support to prepare in order to confidently venture into a career of your choice.

Each year of study will build on the understanding and skills you will have gained during the previous year.

The learning pattern of a high percentage of the modules will be:

1. Soap Box. An opportunity to discuss your interests widely, whatever the bridge.
2. Research. An opportunity through lectures, readings, seminars and tutorials to find out more about the interests of the group and that through the frame of Performing.
3. A creative response. An opportunity to respond creatively by creating work in many ways and in many media for different audiences.

Year 1

Performance Studies: Theatre

You will get an introduction to basic concepts regarding 'performing' as an interdisciplinary activity, and use performance as a frame to study the world. You will investigate the concept of performing the self, and of performances that relate to everyday life in the context of Wales. You will create an individual performance and a group performance as part of this module.

Acting Directing and Inventing

This module will provide a basis for studying specific methods of acting, directing and inventing. It is a studio module that will focus on scene work (you will be directed and you will direct others). You will also develop an original devised performance. You will visit a medium scale theatre company (Arad Goch) to learn about company structure and the creative processes.

Skills Portfolio 1

You will learn technical theatre and film skills in a series of intensive practical workshops led by experts, including theatre light and sound skills.

You will learn camera skills and editing skills and how to use the technology in a creative way in a series of other workshops, and create a short film.

You will have the opportunity to show your short films and to receive feedback on the completed work from a professional practitioner.

You will receive an introduction to blog/blog production techniques.

Perform to Camera

You will learn how to work in a TV studio and come to understand the skills needed to perform in front of the camera. You will have an introduction to the technology of the television studio, to the different elements (camera, lighting, sound) that come together to create a piece of work (building on the 'Skills Portfolio 1' module).

You will practice and perform a scene from a television script under direction and film in collaboration with the BA TV and Film Set Design course, with the intention of creating your first show-reel.

Year 2

Innovation

In this module, you will work as an 'ensemble' throughout the year to create a piece of live original theatre. You will study different practitioners and theories, as well as other media and arts, and use your research together with the main interests of the ensemble as a basis for your creative work. The aim of the module is to explore the relationship between research and practice.

Performance: New Media

In this module you will explore theatre and online/digital performance in the context of ideas about liveness, the bodiless, the spaceless and the interactive.

You will be introduced to new styles of writing and invention through online/digital tools to create and stage theatre and performance.

You will create an original online performance with digital tools and also explore participatory online/digital theatre practice that uses social media.

Writing a Text and Performing it

In this module you will get an introduction to basic screenwriting skills in a series of writing workshops which will focus on creating characters, narrative and dialogue, and style, form, medium and 'genre'. You will choose a medium and receive individual support in developing your work to create a script through a professional process. You will perform your work for professional playwrights and for Sherman's literary officer, receiving feedback.

Skills Portfolio 2

You will learn how to perform, record and edit a directed radio drama and how to create and use sound effects. As well as learning the essential skills of a radio drama performer, you will also touch on dubbing skills.

Year 3

Media and Culture in Wales

In lectures, seminars and tutorials you will focus on the media, including broadcasting policies, film, radio and television, social media, cultural organisations, and the arts, including visual art, live art and popular music. These subjects are dealt with by examining the historical background, contemporary context and analysis of key issues such as national identity, language, demography, and the policies of governments before and after devolution.

A close connection with the current media will be central to the module and will be present in the module through a series of masterclasses in relation with Screen Alliance Wales, S4C, and National Museum of Wales.

Research Project

Through an intensive series of seminars and practical workshops, you will agree on self-selected questions to be explored as a group through exercise. The culmination of this investigative and independent process will be a display of the group's response to the questions in the form of a complete performance created in a short period of intensive practice. The work will be performed in public, promoted and marketed by the group. In agreement with the lecturer, you will also select a research question that is of particular interest to you as an individual, as a basis for an extended essay. The work will be completed with regular guidance and careful support from a supervisor, in individual tutorials.

Graduate Portfolio

You will work independently to create a portfolio of individual work, with a minimum of four pieces of work in any media/media that are based on and develop from your previous study. The pieces of work will have been agreed in advance with the module leader.

The aim of the module is to create a portfolio that can be used to bridge between your studies and the world of work. You will receive support in order to organize to create one piece of work in collaboration with or with the guidance of an organisation or professional practitioner.

Skills Portfolio 3: Professional Practice

This module offers strategies for gaining employment within and beyond the field of performance. The module will place performance skills in the context of the creative industries, primary and secondary teaching, and more. There will be an opportunity in this module to do a period of work experience, to draw up a professional personal development plan, and to draw up an up-to-date CV.

The course lecturers are professional practitioners who continue to contribute to the creative industries in Wales. They are also experienced lecturers and experts in their specific fields. You will also be taught by professional practitioners and companies and receive feedback and support from them.

You will learn in practical workshops, seminars and tutorials, and occasionally in more formal lectures.

You will be regularly assessed through practical coursework, as part of a group and as an individual. You will submit written work to be assessed in the form of blogs and essays. You will also be assessed through live or online presentations. You will receive detailed and supportive feedback to each assessment to enable you to move forward with confidence.