PhD Drama and Performance (Practice as Research)

Program Overview

The University of Essex's PhD Drama and Performance program offers two paths: a traditional PhD thesis and a practice-based research option. Students explore areas such as directing, dramaturgy, and performance art, supported by expert supervision, facilities, and international connections. The program culminates in a performance practice, thesis, and oral examination, preparing students for careers in the theatre industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD Drama and Performance (Practice as Research) program at the University of Essex is a research-based degree that allows students to delve deeply into a specific area of drama, theatre, or performance. It is offered through the East 15 Acting School, which is known for its international research quality and growing research profile. The program offers two paths of inquiry:

• PhD in Drama and Performance: This is a traditional PhD where students are assessed through a thesis and a viva voce examination.
• PhD Drama and Performance (Practice-as-Research): This path focuses on practice-based research, where students are assessed through their performance practice, a thesis that analyzes the practice in relation to the research topic, and a viva voce examination.
The program is designed for students interested in exploring areas such as:
• Theatre directing
• Dramaturgy
• Actor training
• Design (scenery, sound, lighting, costume)
• Performance art

Outline:

Year 1:

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
• EA998-8-FY (0 CREDITS)
• Students will undertake required skills training and develop a detailed plan and timetable for their research within a three-year period.
• They will begin collecting research material, defining their methodology, and contextualizing their research within existing literature and practice.

Year 2:

• Confirmation Board: A review of the student's progress to determine if the research is at PhD level.
• Continued Research: Students will continue to conduct their research investigation.

Year 3:

• Completion of Research: Students will work towards completing all elements of their submission.

Assessment:

• Practice-as-Research (50%): This component assesses the student's performance practice.
• 30,000-40,000 Word Thesis (50%): This component requires students to write a thesis that contextualizes and analyzes their performance practice in relation to their research topic.
• Viva Voce Examination: This is an oral examination where students defend their research and thesis.

Teaching:

• Supervisory Team: Students are supervised by a team of experts in their field.
• Key Milestones: Students are monitored according to key milestones throughout their program.

Other:

• International Connections: East 15 Acting School has extensive links with all sectors of the theatre industry and a range of established international connections.
• Staff Research Specialisms: Staff research specialisms include world performance, actor-training, and audience reception.
• Staff Research Areas: Staff are undertaking research in areas such as movement and somatics in actor training, voice, immersive and participatory performance, intermedial performance, performance art, twentieth century avant-garde practice, intercultural training and practice, Balinese theatre, Brazilian theatre, Shakespeare, and theatre directing.
• Facilities: Students have access to a designated University of Essex PhD room in the Gateway Building (Southend), hot desks, computers, on-campus libraries, and printing facilities.
• Rehearsal Spaces: Students can book rehearsal spaces in the evening and weekends, as well as outside of the usual undergraduate term dates.
• Connections with Students: PhD students have the opportunity to create connections with acting, technical, and producing students on each campus, inviting them to participate in research activities.

• Home/UK fee £4,786 per year
• International fee £18,750 per year