Lancaster University

Lancaster

Theatre Course at Lancaster University?

Kimmy2014

I've looked at the course content online and all the information on the page and was wondering could anyone give me more information on what you do on the course and whether you enjoy it or not?
Thank you :smile:

Reply 1

V94

Hey I'm not at Lancaster yet so I'm afraid I won't be of much help but I will be going at the end of this year and was at the open day they had yesterday.

Lancaster specializes in contemporary theatre so if this sort of performance interests you I think you'll really enjoy it :smile:

Each of the five full time staff are experienced and well known professionals. You'll really be learning from the best, and the uni and course itself is regarded quite highly.

There are different modules you'll choose to study and from what I gathered a lot of it will have a contemporary focus, even the Shakespeare as that is what the tutors specialise in. I would reccomend checking out the LICA staff pages and checking out the theatre lecturers pages http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/lica/people/. Also I would check out the performance group forced entertainment as that was a name that was thrown around a lot and I believe you will probably study/ discuss their work in the first year.

Sorry this is so long :/ just one more thing look at what the Nuffield theatre has and has had going on as I believe you are asked to go and see some of the shows there.

Hopefully this is of some help to you, also as far as fun I only took part in a workshop but I found it to be both fun and thought provoking and am very excited to be studying there next year :smile:

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Reply 2

Kimmy2014

Original post by V94

ooooh thank you :smile:

I've been to LICA as part of work experience and the performances are odd to say the least... I love it hahah xD
Next year you'll have to let me know how it's going :smile:

Reply 3

Kimmy2014

Oh and I wanted to ask what kind of things did you put in your personal statement as I'm starting mine in June (I'm currently in Yr12). Oh and how was the interview set? Sorry for the multiple questions haha
Thanks :smile:

Reply 4

V94

Original post by Kimmy2014

No problem I'll definitely let you know how it goes in October :smile:

I took two consecutive gap years and was given an unconditional offer based off of my personal statement, reference and grades I'd already achieved. No interview necessary :smile:

I don't know if they interview people who still have exams to take.

My statement was pretty basic I just outlined the course I had taken at college, why I had taken two years out and then went over some of the modules I had studied, which ones I particularly liked etc. Also I mentioned some volunteer work I did, my favourite playwright, some of my hobbies and my future goals and why I felt the course would be good for me.

I can pm you a copy if you'd like, but again it was very basic. In my offer they actually commented on parts of my statement and why they felt the course and uni would be good for me :smile:

Reply 5

Kimmy2014

Original post by V94

No problem I'll definitely let you know how it goes in October :smile:

I took two consecutive gap years and was given an unconditional offer based off of my personal statement, reference and grades I'd already achieved. No interview necessary :smile:

A copy of your personal statement would be great!^_^
Ik I definitely want to do Theatre Studies. No matter what other courses I look at I just come back to theatre studies! Now the problem is trying to persuade my parents to allow me to do it.. They're not very keen on "the arts"

Reply 6

V94

Original post by Kimmy2014

Haha yeah I'm lucky my parents are happy to let me do what I enjoy best. If it helps lancaster's theatre course has one of the highest employability rates in the uk (top 3 I believe) and that's in all sorts of fields of work. I think they percentage (which I can't remember off the top of my head) is higher than the majority of the top 20 business degrees in the uk so.... It's a good choice :smile:

If you haven't already check out the lancaster award http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/careers/students-graduates/lancaster-award/

Reply 7

Kimmy2014

Haha that's quite lucky! I'm trying to build up the courage to actually tell my mum;D waiting for the correct time otherwise it will not be a great time for xD but I guess she probably already knows that I do want to go into theatre seen as I've only done work experience at theatres:P
Thank you for the personal statement by the way :smile:

Reply 8

Saltire

Hey, I had the same issue with my parents being less than keen for me to do a degree in Theatre. We compromised and I now do a combined honours with Eng Lit. It's easy enough to change majors after the first year though, a friend in the same position has changed to straight Theatre after the first year and honestly, once you're here you'll know what's right for you. It's your degree, not your parents.

I'll be going into second year next year and am currently on the Exec for Lancaster University Theatre Group. I would recommend it if you would like to get involved in theatre outside of your degree too. It's also awesome for socialising. Genuinely the most interesting and easygoing group of people I have ever met. Check us out on Facebook if you're interested.

The course here is Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA) emphasis on the Contemporary. You'll be asked to watch certain productions each term to help with your learning of specific practitioners or theatre companies. Some of the stuff is pretty wacky and don't expect to 'get it'. One thing I've learnt in the last year is that it's okay to walk out of a show and think 'what the...what have I....just...it's just...I mean...what?' (try and be a little more eloquent when writing a review on it though).

Reply 9

Alex1994Lui

Original post by Kimmy2014

Hey I'm studying theatre at Lancaster, how can i be of assistance? :smile:

Reply 10

Alex1994Lui

Original post by V94

If you haven't already check out the lancaster award http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/careers/students-graduates/lancaster-award/

Hey I'm studying theatre, what questions do you have? :smile:

Reply 11

V94

Original post by Alex1994Lui

Hey I'm studying theatre, what questions do you have? :smile:

Hey sorry it took me so long to reply! So glad I've found someone who's studying theatre! I have a quite a few questions sorry if they're a little dumb haha.

1. In the first year would you say it is more theory or practical work based?

2. Do you play a lot of theatre games? (I honestly hate playing them :/)

3. How many folders should I bring (Random but I'm stocking up on stationary at the moment XD)

4. How many contact hours a week do you get?

5. Are there any particular pieces of work/theatre groups you'd recommend watching/researching?

6. How would you honestly rate the course and lecturers?

7. Do you think it would be easy to arrange work around course hours?

8. How hard is the course? Is there a lot of written work? I read somewhere there's a 3 hour written exam... written exam on what!? o.O I did a Btec... 2 years ago and did hardly any written work at all :afraid:

9. Is your timetable the same every week all year?

10. When will reading lists be sent out? :-)

11. Are there opportunities to do any film/tv/radio type performances in collaboration with other departments etc.

12. Any tips you could give me to prepare for the course and to keep in mind when I'm there? :smile:

13. Lastly how would you describe your experience of Lancaster as a whole? Would you recommend the university and this course?

Thanks so much, obviously you don't have to answer all questions or any at all ^.^

Reply 12

Alex1994Lui

Original post by V94

1. The first year is titled: Introductory to theatre studies. As it tries to unify what everyone knows from school moving through the artistic history and theatrical movements (this also is where 'modernism in the arts' comes in).

The first term particularly is an overview in modernist dramaturgy (i.e what you may study at school: Brecht, Stanislavski, Artaud and obviously Shakespeare) and how theatre develops into more of a postmodern theatrical form (looking forward into contemporary theatre, with the likes of 'Forced Entertainment', 'Wooster' and 'DV8'). In regards to lectorial hours you'll always have a weekly practical session with a performance comp group HW, but the first term is quite theory based. Moving further towards easter is when you'll do your devised performance and then feel like you'd prefer to get back to the theory, as it's a lot of work and a lot of hours. The devised piece is completely in relation to the practitioners and theorist you'll learn first term so bear in mind what your version of their work may look like (but from an angle).

2. In theatre lessons we tended not to, everything we did was more of a practical exercise not ****ty high school improv.

here is a funny link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dji4jk85MUo

3. It depends really think about how you'll be revising later, because at uni your revising for yourself not because your told too. Whether you'd be looking through a huge folder or printing of all your notes which you've typed. I personally type everything, as it just helps me to see things a lot clearer and edit and change notes later.

4. Its varied throughout the year. First term is defiantly the most structural, i had 9 hours a week plus contact time if you needed it. However like i said when your doing your devised piece you spend as much time as necessary, we at times did some solid days of persistent working 9:00 till 4/5:00.

I saw a funny pie chart the other week which showed the percentage of times we work:
60% ****ing about
20% work
20% self appraisal

5. Lica stands for lancaster institute of contemporary arts and within live at lica there are some really interesting pieces which are coming to the nuffield this coming term have a look at the programme/website, I'm particularly excited about Ockhams Razor and imitating the dog.

https://www.liveatlica.org/whats-on?filter=theatre-and-dance&layout=grid

There should also be the 'light up lancaster' event which was good last year, you get to usher and it was pretty cool.

elsewhere however look for cool contemporary **** because thats usually interesting #so****inghipster, edinburgh fringe is good place to start, i know it's very soon and you might not get chance to go but if you can do it, its amazing and defiantly an experience worth having.

6. You like some more than others but generally they know what they're talking about. I don't particularly like the first year's course convenor's style of lecturing but some do. It'd be interesting to know who your seminar tutors are, thats if you know.

7. i personally would never work in term time, i see it as a form of self torture, try work when you get home but not in term time you've already so much on as it is.

8. No-one likes exams i personally am dyslexic (if you've not already noticed) and hate them, likewise you'll never find anyone says that they hate the practical side, it's a generic theatre trait.
You are correct in that there is a 3hr exam in each of your modules and as technically second year now i have to say "don't worry about them, unless you are completely stupid you'll pass the year it's harder to fail than pass and your grades don't even count to anything". I took a gap year which meant that this year was the first exam i'd done in several years so it is scary but nothing to worry about promise.
Personally i'd spend the first year living uni and loving theatre get involved as you can. Theatre group is a great way to start even if you're not a born performer, i produce and direct and am heavily involved, frankly its pretty much all i do I'm still in Lancaster preping for a show theatre group is taking to fringe festival. #neverland #Offshoots2014
If you go and want a drink i'd be happy to answer your questions.

9. Kind of answered this already. yes but no

10. I emailed and asked to have mine within the summer being dyslexic and generally thick as **** but here is the list they sent me last year, i don't imagine it'll be that different, it'll be helpful to read through the plays.

Plays
Brecht, Bertolt, The Good Soul of Szechuan, translated by David Harrower, London: Methuen, 2008.
Chekhov, Anton, The Cherry Orchard and The Three Sisters in Michael Frayn (ed.) Checkhov Plays, London: Methuen, 1988.
Crimp Martin, Attempts on her Life London: Faber and Faber, 1997.
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet (Cambridge School Shakespeare), Cambridge: CUP.
Criticism
Counsell, Colin & Wolf, Laurie (eds.), Performance Analysis: an Introductory Course Book, London: Routledge, 2001.
Leach, Robert Makers of Modern Theatre: an Introduction, London: Routledge, 2005
Lehmann, Thomas, Postdramatic Theatre, translated by Karen-Juers-Munby, London: Routledge, 2006.

Additional recommended books:
Aston, Elaine and George Savona , Theatre as Sign-System, London, Routledge, 1991
Aston, Elaine and Harris, Geraldine, Performance Practice and Process: Contemporary [Women] Practitioners, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan, 2008.
Davies, Peter Filming Shakespeare’s Plays, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1988.
Etchells, Tim, Certain Fragments, London: Routledge, 1999.
Govan, Emma, Helen Nicholson, and Katie Normington, Making a Performance: Devising Histories and Contemporary Practices, London & New York: Routledge, 2006

11. There are obviously societies you could get involved in but also you can do film or media as a first year third module. Not too sure what you mean.

12. Go see lots of shows they're cheap and informative even if they are boring you'll have my word you'll defiantly learn something from them or see something you like.

Secondly I'm quite a social person, but when i arrived suddenly and quickly realised i hadn't much in common with my flat mates, they were lovely but just not ... not ... not...theatre people.? if you get me. Therefore i set up the Facebook group for our course and quickly started a weekly drinking night at county bar, this was a lot of fun as we got to know each other really well. Which was also good because you off-course have to work together and one of the key factors in first year is understanding each others personalities. I recommend this.

Thirdly joining Theatre Group!!!!!!!
Gerry will try early to convince you not to do this, because in past prehistoric years the course and the society had clashed in both having performances at the same time. Therefore Gerry is a bit iffy with us. However i think its very important for something such as theatre which you'll be incredibly passionate about to do as a society. I've learnt so much about theatre this year but probably more about it from theatre society than the course and that has no reflection on the course.
We are also going to be doing a sort of parenting system for the first time this year, where an existing member is the parental figure of a fresher member. Therefore if you've any worries about the course, the society or whatever you've always a friendly face to turn to.
I'm on the exec as publicity officer and am also producing next terms play 'American Dream' please a applaud you to come to auditions, you'll not regret joining.

13. Good, not too sure what else to say other than I'm very excited to get back for my second year.

If you have any further questions feel free to ask more, although i may be a little busy within the next week and a bit. If not i'll see you in Lancaster and good luck with your results. :smile:

p.s sorry about the appalling grammar and spellings
p.s.s sorry about the swearing: student room please don't censor me :smile:

Reply 13

V94

Original post by Alex1994Lui

If you have any further questions feel free to ask more, although i may be a little busy within the next week and a bit. If not i'll see you in Lancaster and good luck with your results. :smile:

p.s sorry about the appalling grammar and spellings
p.s.s sorry about the swearing: student room please don't censor me :smile:

Wow, thank you so so much for all the information and the quick reply! I really appreciate it :-) I'll definitely be looking to join the Theatre Society without a doubt. Haven't performed at all in 2 years so pretty rusty and I'm better on film :-/ but can't wait to get back to it :-D See you in October!

Grammar and Spellings weren't appalling at all by the way ^.^

(One more question I forgot to add on: Will I get a reading list for Modernism in the arts and what exactly is this module? XD Thanks again)

Reply 14

Alex1994Lui

You may but tbh it's not that crucial I did the readings as I went along with the weeks or not at all if it was a waste of time.

Modernism is the movement of art history from start to finish specifically looking at the movements between the premodern, modern and postmodern. By the end of the year you'll actually understand that, or maybe not.
Personally I've quite an objective view on it.

Reply 15

Saltire

Hey guys, still looking forward to Lancaster? I hope results treated you well and I'm looking forward to seeing you all in a couple of months. Any questions on the course or society and I'm here to help. :smile:

Reply 16

Alex1994Lui

Freshers group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1483441458560821/