BA (Hons) Theatre and Performing Bachelor's degree at Lancaster University

Explore the foundations of theatre and build on your skills as we support your journey to becoming a professional theatre practitioner. Through practical workshops and a sequence of small group projects, you will have the opportunity to explore multiple professional roles such as actor, director, scenographer, playwright or dramaturg. The skills you gain through these roles will be used in the development of short, original, student-led productions that follow models of practice established by influential 21st century theatre makers including: Intermedial theatres Post-dramatic theatre Applied theatre Environmental performance Your knowledge of significant and emerging practices will be fost

Building on Raw Materials of Performance, this module introduces influential theoretical perspectives that will help you to create impactful theatre productions. You will take ‘theory’ out of the realm of the written word and move it into the context of our own everyday lives. Through a series of practical workshops, you will engage in dynamic activities that illustrate the ideas of prominent social, cultural and political theorists. You will explore theoretical concepts relating to the politics of representation, cultural traditions and norms, and the social construction of spaces, places and identities. We will encourage you to practically engage with these theories through in-class creati

Every piece of performance, big or small, uses the same foundational ‘raw materials’. Explore these and more as you develop your critical, aesthetic and theatrical vocabulary by examining the formal building blocks of performance, such as the body, space, time, text and media. Through a combination of practical workshops and seminars, you will learn how these building blocks are used to construct a variety of performance forms including: Traditional stage plays Live art Performance art Physical theatre Site-specific or immersive theatre By analysing specific examples of these performance forms, your studies in this module will complement the projects undertaken in Making Theatre I, helping y

Explore how the creative industries can benefit everyone, as we train you to become a skilled professional in developing inclusive and accessible events. Building your skills in a range of techniques, this module will help to ensure that all forms of creative practice are open for everyone to enjoy, regardless of abilities or backgrounds. You will learn the necessary skills to create welcoming and adaptable event spaces, understand sensory enhancement techniques such as subtitling, closed captioning and audio description and engage with challenging questions about equity and representation within the creative sectors. Through practical workshops, lectures and seminar discussions, you will ex

Providing you with a solid grounding in art history, this module will take you on a journey, from the modernist period to the present day. Beginning with the emergence of Modernism in Europe, you will follow its impact in the United States, China, India, South America and beyond. You will learn about alternative and under-represented histories that challenge mainstream thought, whilst exploring how artists have responded to pressing societal issues such as: Post-colonialism Equal rights Gender identity Digital revolution Environmental crisis These movements will be explored through a range of themes that relate to creative practices such as time, space, light, text and juxtaposition, helping

Develop your critical reading skills, become a more reflective writer and work on being an effective communicator. We'll journey through genres (such as fantasy, tragedy and life writing), explore the social, cultural, aesthetic, political and economic importance of each one, and discuss the possibilities offered by different approaches. The focus here is on reflective work, while you will produce more creative work in your other modules. You will build your confidence and critical vocabulary, as you experiment with a range of genres, forms and methodologies.

Britain is one of the most successful and influential film industries in world cinema. In this module you will explore the key films, filmmakers and traditions that have shaped British cinema over the past century. Through a study of major genres, styles, filmmakers and themes, you will consider how British cinema has evolved and reflect on historical cinema-going habits. Alongside this historical overview, you will engage with critical debates. You’ll examine the relationship between national identity and cinema, the role of realism and recurring preoccupations with emotional repression, race, gender and social class. You will also explore how British cinema captures and shapes ideas of ‘’B

Look beyond the boundaries of traditional courses in English Literature and explore a wide and exciting range of literatures in English and translation from antiquity to the present day. Discover texts that have influenced the development of literary English, from the Bible and classical figures such as Ovid and Homer, through Medieval and Early Modern authors such as Dante and Rabelais to contemporary world authors in translation such as Kafka and Rushdie.

Advance your performance-making skills in this year-long module. Through project-based explorations of how theatre can inspire audiences and the wider society, you will learn to think beyond the stage. To begin this module, you will undertake skills-based workshops on aspects of socially engaged theatre making, resulting in a group practical ‘pitch’ for a proposed performance project. As you progress, you will be allocated to a project group based on shared interests, working together to engage with specific demographic groups in the local area and produce a piece of theatre that showcases the viewpoints of an under-represented community. Collaborating to devise an original performance in a

Exploring groundbreaking projects that showcase how different artistic disciplines are tackling the challenges of the climate crisis, this module sheds light on sustainability in the creative industries. Beyond using creative work to raise awareness of climate change, practitioners and producers from all disciplines are increasingly focused on finding practical ways to reduce the environmental impact of their work. From innovative models of touring to the use of revolutionary new materials, artists and makers are discovering that sustainability challenges can drive bold and transformative creativity. Through lectures, seminars and practical workshops you will deepen your awareness of this em

How do complex social and political circumstances condition the production and reception of 21st century theatre practice? What specific aesthetic, formal, and ethical considerations are required to increase the efficacy of theatrical performance in specific social and political contexts? This module is taught through lectures, seminars, group presentations and workshops. Supported by weekly assigned readings and viewings, you will be introduced to a new case study or set of case studies that illustrate a thematic area of practice each week. You will be briefly introduced to historical forerunners before focusing on performance examples from the 21st century, analysing the theatrical tactics

Building on the relationship between theoretical understanding and artistic practice, this module will introduce you to a broad range of theories and ideas relevant to contemporary art practice and thinking. You will explore ideas such as: New materialism Fourth and fifth-wave feminisms Object-oriented philosophy Posthumanism The Anthropocene Hauntology The relations that exist between art and science Join us as we combine intellectual rigour and curiosity with the freedom to confidently explore your creativity from an increasingly informed position. You will be encouraged to explore different forms of writing that enable you to develop ideas and express yourself in a range of appropriate fo

Learn to write drama for the theatre and audio, and develop your awareness of the processes by which a written script makes its way to live performance and recorded production. You will be taught through weekly seminars/workshops in which you will explore the effects that different staging/recording approaches and performance strategies have on your scripts. Over the course of the module, you will develop your own writing styles and gain an awareness of the professional requirements of playwriting for the stage and for radio and podcasts. Part of this course will be taught in situ at The Dukes Theatre in the city centre.

This dynamic module blends theory and practice to immerse you in the craft of screenwriting. Through lectures and hands-on workshops, you will develop essential skills in narrative structure, character development and dialogue, while working towards a 15–20-page screenplay. You will engage with the entire screenwriting process, from initial concept to final draft, receiving feedback through writing groups, table reads and peer critiques. The module emphasises both creativity and industry awareness, introducing you to funding opportunities, pitching techniques and the screenwriter’s role in film production. Alongside practical writing, you will refine your critical analysis skills by evaluating

Explore postcolonial literature across a wide historical span. Your study will move from the explosion of new national literatures in the era of decolonisation through to contemporary writing that interrogates the legacies of racism and imperialism in our globalised world. You’ll read exciting major writers who defined the emergence of African, South Asian and Caribbean literature in English in the middle of the twentieth century. You’ll also encounter today’s new voices, grappling with the afterlives of empire. Cutting through all our thinking will be the question of how literature serves, in Ngugi wa Thiongo’s phrase, as a means of 'decolonising the mind'.

Develop key techniques for writing fiction and hone the skills you need to write short stories and/or novels. Through workshops, discussions, set reading from a range of contemporary writers and generative writing prompts, you’ll develop confidence in creating character, worldbuilding, establishing narrative voice, experimenting with point of view and constructing engaging structures and plot. You will draw on a range of techniques according to your own interests. In your reflective essay you will consider the various ways short fiction and the novel uniquely deploy these techniques.

In this module, you will collaboratively develop, produce, and complete a short dramatic film while engaging with sustainable industry-standard production practices. The emphasis is on technical competence, creative problem-solving, and reflective collaboration. At the start of the module, you'll form your own production groups and assign yourself one of the key creative roles within the team, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Art Director, Sound Recordist/Designer, or Editor. Where needed, roles may be shared or doubled up to ensure all production responsibilities are met. The module is supported by advanced technical workshops in camera, lighting, grip, sound, editing, and post-productio

What we call ‘American Literature’ and how we define America and ‘the American experience’ depends on who is writing and to whom. In this module you will encounter many different voices, many conflicting and contrasting views, a diversity of complex experience and a great range of writing in form and style. You will explore such questions as: What role do different literary forms play in narrating the self? How does American writing seek to establish a new way of looking at the world? And how and why does literature help shape forms of protest and new critiques of modernity?

Explore how ideas can be developed into real-world projects with lasting value. Through hands-on collaboration and problem-solving, you will develop innovative projects, learn how to bring ideas to life and explore ways to sustain them. Whether you are working in a team or individually, you will be encouraged to experiment with different approaches to making a difference in artistic, cultural, social and community spaces.

Hone a strong sense of purpose and gain the satisfaction of applying your skills and knowledge to a community, charity or student-led initiative. Your challenge will be to take responsibility for arranging and completing a voluntary or fundraising activity, locally, virtually or during vacation periods at home. You will need to show that you have made a positive difference through this activity. In class, you will be asked to reflect on this experience and explore the wider social impact of the work. In doing so you will build your confidence in your ability to contribute meaningfully to society through your future personal and professional path.

Tailor your studies according to your own passions and curiosities with your independent research project. Throughout this module, you will undertake a major piece of research on your chosen topic, supervised by a member of staff with relevant expertise. You may choose to undertake a traditional, written dissertation, or you can opt for practice-based research that combines solo practical work with an analytical essay. Regardless of which mode you choose, you will be assessed on your research process as well as the final outcome. We welcome topics relating to any area of theatre or performance, from professional or applied theatre practice to popular culture, film or television. You will dev

Develop a fully realised theatrical production in a style and genre of your choice, as your reach the pinnacle of your practical theatre making studies. Guided by staff with professional theatre-making skills, your work will be supported by advanced skills-based workshops in the areas of theatre you choose to pursue (e.g., acting, directing, scenography, etc). Through engaging in exploratory studio-based work, you will collaborate in groups to develop a coherent and theatrically compelling production concept, with a staff mentor who will provide feedback and guidance on a weekly basis. Supported by professional technicians and staff, you will undertake independent project development and reh

This advanced, practice-based module provides an industry-informed approach to documentary filmmaking. Working in small groups, you will research, develop and produce a short documentary, choosing either to pursue an independent concept or respond to a stakeholder brief. The module supports a broad range of documentary genres and styles, encouraging experimentation with form while maintaining professional standards. Through workshops and practical training, you will refine your skills in cinematography, sound recording and editing, while gaining awareness of ethical considerations, industry expectations, funding opportunities and distribution strategies across traditional and digital platfor

Examining a wide range of texts and authors from early periods to the age of the climate crisis, this module will explore the many and various ways in which the non-human world is celebrated, championed and exploited by the literary imagination. You will explore questions such as: What do we mean by the ‘the environment’? What experiences, meanings and values do we take from, or discover in our surroundings? How have writers characterised the environment and in what ways might the literary imagination be significant for contemporary environmental concerns?

How might we engage with the implications of environmental transformation locally, nationally and globally? Where do we have agency and capacity to intervene? This module brings together a range of perspectives, historical, political, philosophical and cultural, to explore the nature and severity of the effects of the climate crisis on our world.

What happens when radically different forms of art meet? How do these fused forms change our understanding of the world? We will draw on material from different periods and continents, to explore works of art where, for example, film meets history, poetry meets philosophy, fine art meets sociology, religion meets fiction, and theatre meets politics.

In this practical module you will conceptualise, design, and prototype innovative festival experiences that respond to emerging cultural, societal, technological, and environmental trends. Working in a team, you will develop festival concepts that explore innovations in audience engagement, sustainability, accessibility and digital innovation. In collaboration, you will undertake phases of concept development that may include: Researching and ideating a future-facing festival concept Design and branding Creation of visual identities and marketing materials Audience development strategies Understanding market audiences through use of data Technological integration Experimenting with innovativ

This module examines the evolving structures, practices, and challenges of film industries across different historical and global contexts. You will explore key industrial processes such as censorship, marketing, promotion and sustainability, while also engaging with major film movements that have shaped contemporary cinema. Through case studies, you will analyse how national and transnational film industries adapt to technological, economic and political shifts. Topics may include digital cinema, green production initiatives and the role of institutions such as the BFI in shaping industry standards. The module also explores movements like Hong Kong and New Wave cinemas, assessing their impa

Discover cinema as a dynamic socio-cultural institution, exploring how films are circulated, exhibited and received. You will analyse the role of mediators such as programmers, distributors and critics, as well as the spaces where films are consumed and preserved, including cinemas, festivals, archives and digital platforms. Focusing on both historical and contemporary perspectives, the module considers how film cultures evolve within local and global contexts. Examples may include: The introduction of movie theatres in colonial settings The rise of multiplexes The role of film festivals in shaping regional industries You will also explore how exhibition and distribution shape audience engag

Both the Gothic and science fiction emerged in response to the 18th century ‘age of reason’ and the Western world’s investment in logic and progress. The Gothic explores the terrors of the past and its return while science fiction imagines alternative futures; in doing so, both voice the concerns of the present. You will study both classic literary texts and contemporary film and other media. Exploring what the Gothic and science fiction each do, rather than what they each are, you will consider how these genres address some of the most pressing questions facing contemporary Western culture.

Ben Jonson claimed of Shakespeare ‘he was not of an age but for all time.’ This module, however, examines Shakespearean drama and poetry in its own time and as a platform in which early modern debates about agency and government, family and national identity, were put into play. The stage was and is a place in which questions of gender, class and race, gain immediacy through the bodies and voices of actors. By examining texts from across Shakespeare’s career, you will explore their power to shape thoughts and feelings in both their own age and in ours. You will consider how, in the past and in the present, Shakespeare’s texts exploit the emotional and political possibilities of poetry and dr

This module offers a unique opportunity to bring your critical, reflective skills to bear on live performance. Whether you would like to become an influential theatre critic or are simply interested in expanding your critical and analytical writing skills, this module will consolidate your ability to identify and reflect on the specific elements that shape audience responses. Throughout the term you will compose and revise a series of short reviews of live performances that you have personally attended – these can be selected from shows that you have seen independently, or from work seen on trips organised by Theatre staff throughout your course. You will learn through guided writing worksho