MA Applied Theatre and Education

Applied Theatre refers to the practice of theatre and drama in non-traditional settings and/or with marginalised communities. It encompasses theatre practices which tackle areas of social and cultural policy such as public health, education, housing, social welfare, and the care system.

This course provides a specialist route for graduates who wish to develop as educational practitioners using theatre and drama.

• You will deepen your knowledge and practice in the field of Applied Theatre
• This course enables you to engage in real-life practice within and alongside a professional producing theatre
• You will develop your ability to interpret, understand and conduct practice as research relevant to the theatre and education at a masterly level
• You will become industry ready for employment in Theatre Education.

As a Learning Theatre, Derby Theatre provides a unique opportunity for students to learn to their craft by working alongside both academics and theatre professionals in the heart of a professional producing theatre, to develop your skills in technical theatre or performance.

Students, academics and artists work, create and learn side by side at Derby Theatre. All decisions about the development of both the art and the learning opportunities are made together. At every stage, there is huge potential in the crucible of the arts, learning and research combining to both underpin and inform our future work.

Derby Theatre provides an extraordinary platform for real life learning to take place, not only through the exciting main stage and studio programmes, but also through the work that the Theatre does with young people, young people in care, emerging artists and the community. Graduates of the programme can also be supported by our Artist Development Programme, In Good Company, which is part of a large regional funding programme.

Graduates of this programme are prepared for careers in a range of private and public sector opportunities for example: As creative learning officers in theatres, museums and other community-based organisations; education directors and managers for cultural organisations; facilitators of youth theatres and other projects; health and wellbeing theatre specialists; freelance practitioners working in a wide range of settings including schools, prisons and the care system. Graduates will develop a sense of confidence as artists, facilitators, project managers and those that will help develop arts policy of the future.