Learn to be a versatile performing artist. Personalise your studies between dance, drama and musical theatre to suit your evolving interests and aspirations. Become a confident, experienced, industry ready professional.
Overview
Study in a multidisciplinary way – which you will know is reflective of the industry. Experiment with new things, create a personal pathway with a focus on dance, drama or musical theatre or a mix of all three. Personalise your studies to suit your evolving interests and aspirations. Build the necessary skills to succeed in higher education, recognise your own strengths and idiosyncrasies and establish yourself as an employable practitioner.
Whether you wish to dance, act, devise, choreograph, teach or facilitate, this course will give you the skills, techniques, confidence and experience to be industry ready. You will develop as a creative and versatile individual; we want you to graduate with the best opportunities possible that will prepare you for a successful career in the performing arts world.
Successful completion of this course will qualify you for Spotlight adult performer membership.
us?
- Our Drama and Dance courses are 13th in the UK (Guardian University Guide, 2023)
- A musical theatre strand is embedded in the course – a popular choice of our students
- Placement opportunities throughout the three years of study in both education and community adds to the development of skills for a broad range of careers
- Flexibility to create a pathway of study based on your areas of interest or career destination
- Successful completion of this course will qualify you for Spotlight adult performer membership
- Professional theatre venues used for assessments plus external opportunities to perform in professional productions. Previously students have appeared in Cilla: The Musical, Evita and have performed alongside Jack Whitehall
- We have a residency with Live Theatre. Emeritus Max Roberts, who joins us as a Visiting Professor until 2021 delivering industry relevant modules and employability workshops, including sessions taught at Live Theatre
Course structure
Teaching is largely studio-based with supporting lectures, seminars, workshop discussions and independent learning. All modules integrate theory and practice; tasks and problem-solving which engage you in interactive learning.
Assessments are often practical or performance-based and also include presentations, workshops, essays and e-portfolios. We provide regular feedback to help you to develop your work.
The first year provides you with a solid base with a range of diverse learning experiences. As you move through the course, you have a choice of modules and opportunity to undertake a placement.
Whatever your route, you will perform at a range of venues and in professional theatres including Arts Centre Washington and The Customs House, South Shields.
Part-time study
If you study this course on a part-time basis you will typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the day time and you will be studying alongside full-time students
Facilities
This course is based at the Priestman Building, the main base for art, design and performance on City Campus. The Priestman Building provides state-of-the-art teaching space and resources as part of a vibrant and creative learning environment.
Dance City and Live Theatre have studios just a stone’s throw from campus. With the city investing in culture, it’s an exciting time to become a performer in Sunderland.
Career ready
You will gain highly transferable skills in communication, presentation and collaboration with others. These skills, together with a track record of creativity and innovative thinking, provide a valuable advantage when it comes to applying for many different fields of employment.
Career options
This course prepares you for roles in the performing arts such as:
- Performer
- Teacher of dance/music/drama/musical theatre
- Facilitator/Corporate Trainer
- Entrepreneur in dance/music/drama/musical theatre
- Producer/Director/Choreographer
- Arts Administrator/Manager
- Freelancer/self-employed in community arts education
- Practitioner of arts therapy
Links and contacts
The academic team have an extensive network of professional, education and community contacts in the region. You will benefit from these in your negotiated projects, workshops and visits. Extracurricular classes are available throughout the year with a range of guest teachers, for example musical theatre repertoire with touring cast members, one to one vocal lessons, yoga, character development, street dance and harmony singing.
Where possible, we invite visiting companies and artists to the University. Examples include Opera North, South Paw Dance Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rosie Kay Dance Company, Rambert Dance Company, Live Theatre; Newcastle, Open Clasp, RashDash, Dramatrain, Geese Theatre Company, Bell and Bullock Circus Theatre, Dell A’Mimi Circus Training and The Stand Comedy. We also encourage visits to theatres, events and exhibitions.
Work by our students is hosted by venues such as The Customs House South Shields, National Glass Centre, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Washington Arts Centre and The Empire Theatre. These venues also hold masterclasses led by visiting artists.
Placements and projects
The independent study module allows you to take educational and professional opportunities as they arise. Examples include the production of a new play performed at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a cross-generational performance with a professional choreographer and dancers. Many projects are sited in schools and the wider community.
We also arrange end-of-year performances in a professional arts venue, working alongside schedulers, box office staff, technicians and professional performers. Your involvement in these performances develops skills in marketing, design and communication with venues.
All students studying on-campus undergraduate Performing Arts courses can take up a CV-enhancing work placement, a University-led industry initiative, or a professional and business development boot camp. By the term placement, we mean we are offering you a taste of the industry which might last anything from two days to four weeks on a part-time basis.
Creative Industries Week
Creative Industries Week gives everyone in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits and career events. This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working, broadens your experience, builds your confidence and helps develop your career path.
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