BA (Hons) in Theatre and Performative Practices

Our BA (Hons) Theatre & Performative Practices degree at University College Cork (UCC) is a window to the exciting world of theatre and performance. Our programme explores the world of theatre and the wide spectrum of performance: such as dance, outdoor performance, and music theatre. Our teaching focuses on three key themes:

1. Making theatre
2. Theatre for change
3. The business of theatre and performance production

You will create and make work: indeed, you usually devise, perform and evaluate your own material, rather than putting on existing plays. You will also learn how theatre can engage with and respond to cultural change. We also look at the business side of theatre production through study and internships.

These core strands of teaching are supported by an exciting voyage into the history of theatre, the kinds of ideas and theories and underpin theatre, and what theatre can do for you, for society, and for culture. This is a broad-based degree, that seeks to leverage your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, is taught by researchers, makers, and practitioners. Practical workshops and classes, alongside academic study and passionate argument, are at the core of your learning. You will have the chance to perform, create work, direct, and be involved in the technical development of productions as well as debate and examine ideas and theories.

Why UCC?

Here at UCC, we believe in your artistic potential. Our teaching encourages you to explore, expand, and refine your skills, knowledge, tastes, and critical thinking. UCC’s heritage as a top global university, and its courageous stance toward the future, form the perfect integrated backdrop for how we teach and research, and for how you will navigate your time with us and imagine new futures for us all.

Our faculty at the Department of Theatre include prolific performance and interdisciplinary artists; experienced project managers; casting directors and producers; applied youth and educational theatre specialists; deep-thinking theorists; and refined skills teachers. We have close links with leading theatres both abroad, and at the local level, including the Everyman Theatre, the Triskel Arts Centre, and Firkin Crane, among others. The UCC Granary Theatre is located right beside the department and our unique partnership with the Cork Opera House provides a range of dynamic performance opportunities and learning and internship possibilities.

We are also an unusually interdisciplinary department where you will be able to study from a range of arts subjects to degree level. This programme allows you to choose between a single or joint subject degree, as well as engage in public events, performances, and research collaborations with creative artists through our interdisciplinary research centre.

Why Choose This Course

This is a unique degree. It is both scholarly and performative:

• It offers both a joint- and single honours degree in Theatre and Performative Practices and another Arts subject such as English, Music, Languages, Maths, etc.
• It is committed to excellence in teaching and national and international research, housing an interdisciplinary research centre in performance practices
• It is dedicated to the teaching of theatre and performative practices alongside theoretical and critical approaches in the field.
• It has use of excellent facilities alongside UCC's main campus (comprising the Granary Theatre, studio space, drama lab, and seminar rooms).
• It has close connections with local, national, and international theatres as well as national and international cultural organisations. Our graduates are pursuing careers in the theatre, television, and film industry and also in the field of applied theatre, including community theatre and education.

Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Performance Practices

The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Performance Practices (CIR) was initiated by the Department of Theatre at UCC; it brings together the various research interests of our department colleagues and embraces the world of theatre in all its manifestations.

Connected Curriculum

We encourage innovative teaching and learning practices at UCC. This learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines across the Theatre & Arts programme.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Study abroad: If you select theTheatre and Performative Practices (International) pathway, you will spend Year 3 studying at one of our numerous partner universities in Europe, North America, or Asia.

Work placement: There are a number of options for work placement both in the summer prior to and during your final year. There are also supported options through CACSSS Professional Work Experience. This module offers preparatory training, a work placement organised by the UCC Careers Office, and post-placement follow-up.

Degree Pathways & Modules

Ultimately there are four possible pathways from CK112 Theatre and Performative Practices and all pathways take the same core modules in Year 1.

• Theatre and Performative Practices (Single Subject)
• Theatre and Performative Practices (Joint Subject)
• Theatre and Performative Practices (International) - Year 3 is spent abroad
• Theatre and Performative Practices (with Music)

Year 1: All incoming CK112 Theatre and Performative Practices students take a Joint Honours pathway with 50% Theatre modules and 50% other Arts subjects.

Core modules for all pathways:

• DR1005 Performative Writing: Dramaturgy (Part I) (5 credits)
• DR1006 Performative Writing: Dramaturgy (Part II) (5 credits)
• DR1007 Introduction: Theatre and Performative Practice (10 Credits)
• DR1009 Performance in Culture (5 credits)
• DR1010 Cultures of Performance Practice (5 credits)

Electives:

Choose two Arts Subjects (15 credits each) from groups 3, 4, 5, & 6.

Theatre and Performative Practices with Music

• Joint Honours pathway: 50% Theatre modules and 50% modules from other Arts subjects.
• Single Honours pathway: 80% Theatre modules and 20% modules from other Arts subjects.

Year 1 Theatre and Performative Practices with Music students take Theatre and Performative Practices (30 credits) with Music (30 credits). Students wishing to take this option apply for CK112 but should register for and pass the Music Entrance Test held annually in the Department of Music.

Year 2: Students can either continue with the Joint Honours pathway or move to a Single Honours pathway.

Outline for Years 2, 3 & 4

• Please consult the University Calendar (CK112) page for further course details.
• For additional information on modules see the Book of Modules.

The UCC Employment and Employability Guide note that University College Cork (UCC) graduates are highly sought-after by employers. Our graduates go on to the widest range of careers after this study. From theatre performance and production to video-making; from stage and screen to arts administration; from teaching at primary and secondary levels to giving workshops in the community; from the social services and youth theatre to digital art and coding: our students succeed. Many students pursue postgraduate study.

You will have an opportunity to elect to study our international pathways and spend your third year abroad. Our partnerships open up opportunities in Denmark, Germany, Malta, France, Canada, the US, Mexico, and beyond, in English or in other languages.

UCC has a long and established theatre tradition and our alumni include some outstanding examples of this tradition, and include:

• Cillian Murphy (actor)
• Fiona Shaw (actor)
• Graham Norton (TV presenter/actor/writer)
• Jessica Reagan (National Theatre, London)
• John Crowley (theatre & film director)
• Lochlainn McKenna (music video director)
• Oonagh Kearney (film director)
• Ray Scannell (composer/actor Abbey Theatre)
• Stefanie Preissner (writer/actor/director)
• Thomas Conway (Druid Theatre Co.)
• Tom Creed (Festival, Theatre and Opera director)

Postgraduate Study Options

This BA (Hons) degree also qualifies you to explore exciting postgraduate options, at home and abroad. Some UCC options include:

Music (HDip in Arts)

MA Theatre & Performative Practices

MA Music & Cultural History

MA Music - Ethnomusicology

MA Experimental Sound Practice

MA Arts Management & Creative Producing

See the postgraduate study page for CACSSS graduates for more information on a vast array of postgraduate programmes including PhD options for CACSSS graduates.