MA Contemporary Performance Practices

Program Overview

Are you a maker? An artist? An activist? Do you feel you need to do something in reaction to a deep crisis in the future of humanity, to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty? Are you longing for a space of discussion which brings together artists, scholars, and activists to create new types of cultural productions that transcend, rather than merely criticise, the status quo? Then MA Contemporary Performance Practices may be where your ideas belong.

Contemporary Performance Practices breaks traditional disciplinary borders to explore how performance can help us respond to social, environmental, and ecological changes and challenges. The Programme provides a unique and tailored education to prepare graduates for new opportunities within the performing arts industry. The curriculum centres on a dynamic blend of critical, practice-based engagement with performance across artistic genres and disciplines; from experimental theatre, music, dance and community-based practices, to live art, interactive and participatory performance, sound art, and installation.

You will be immersed in a variety of ideas, approaches and forms, and, at the same time have ample opportunities to focus on your own area of interest. Throughout the programme you will explore cutting edge and interdisciplinary approaches to performance making and develop original work leading to your final dissertational project which will be a unique performance on a specific area of enquiry.

Program Outline

Our course responds to the creative industry demands of today by developing multi-skilled artists that are simultaneously practitioners, scholars and creative producers.

This course will enable students to articulate and 'own' the value of the practice within and outside the arts industries.

You will work individually with course leaders to find appropriate links with existing organisations for professional placements.  You will have the opportunity to present your final work in a professional venue which hosts internationally acclaimed artists.

You'll be taught by a range of staff, many of whom are practitioners in the area they teach. The assessments focus on practical and critical skill. This ensures that the practice-led teaching is relevant to industry and practice. Our staff are  well placed to take advantage of a range of professional networks and industry contact. Each module is designed with practical components  and a reflective component, with the intention that students develop an ability to critically reflect on their creative process.

When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study and rehearsals. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, specialist facilities, such as edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.

Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas – including learning and disability support.

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.

Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.

The approximate percentages for this course are:

Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place in the evenings. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 10 students a year. However, this can vary by academic year.

Core modules will be taught in a cohort of ten while  some modules shared across the three MAs in Performing Arts will be taught in groups of 25 - 30 students.

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

Coursework will include practical outcomes (e.g. individual or group-based performances; performative presentations, documentations, or artefacts; films/video-art; installations; and other performance based work)  and written assignments (e.g. reflective portfolios; funding applications; abstracts of your work; website/digital profile).

Assessment breakdown:

You’ll always receive written or audio feedback outlining strengths and points for further development. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days.