What conservatories/universities in the UK have great theatre/drama societies?

I'm looking to study theatre performance-making in the UK but not sure which school would be the best fit. I want to be a director of theatre in the future, but I also don’t want to limit myself too soon—I’d like to explore all aspects of theatre along the way. My drama teachers suggested that if I want regular directing experience, even on a small scale, I should join a school with an active drama society or extracurricular group that stages productions often. That way, I can take on different roles while also getting plenty of chances to direct. If you have any advice or personal experience with theatre conservatories/universities, I’d love to hear it! I’m especially interested in places that offer both performance-making and applied theatre courses.

Reply 1

PG Study Chester

Official Rep

8

Original post by cel.estine

I'm looking to study theatre performance-making in the UK but not sure which school would be the best fit. I want to be a director of theatre in the future, but I also don’t want to limit myself too soon—I’d like to explore all aspects of theatre along the way. My drama teachers suggested that if I want regular directing experience, even on a small scale, I should join a school with an active drama society or extracurricular group that stages productions often. That way, I can take on different roles while also getting plenty of chances to direct. If you have any advice or personal experience with theatre conservatories/universities, I’d love to hear it! I’m especially interested in places that offer both performance-making and applied theatre courses.

Hello,

It is brilliant that you have such a definite plan for uni and beyond and it sounds so exciting too! Chester University is a brilliant place to study and it has a great theatre school. If you head over to the Performing Arts page on the website (here's the link: https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/performing-arts/) you will see that there are eight different degree options and all are taught on the creative campus, Kingsway. Here is the link https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/our-locations/creative-campus-kingsway-chester/ to the page on the website that has lots of information about this purpose built campus for the performing arts. As you will see it has loads of fantastic facilities.
Chester University has a wonderful Students' Union and within this loads of clubs and societies. There is a really strong drama society https://www.chestersu.com/groups/drama-7616 which you can join.
As well as lots going on on campus for theatre studies, the uni is about 10 minutes from Chester Storyhouse theatre which always has opportunities for students to become involved in volunteering, productions etc. So there is a lot on offer off campus too.
I can't recommend Chester University highly enough, it's a supportive and dynamic university, with students at its heart. Why not pop over for a visit at our next open day on 21st June? Here's the booking link: https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/visit-us/open-days/?utm_campaign=nn-ug-late-applications-targeting-25&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=776635&utm_term=chester%20university%20open%20days&campaign_id=22284203163&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm7q-BhDRARIsACD6-fUEWIN_deHyhSk4KiNKpiVVqDvaO62zOgp5eqOHelfT7KdAY2GtwX0aAioMEALw_wcB and you will be able to see Chester for yourself! Hope to see you soon,
Jess
PhD English
Chester University

Reply 2

McGinger

20

All Unis have Theatre / Drama Societies. Its not up to 'which Uni', its up to you to make the most of the opportunities and learn the process by working on numerous productions. Once you have this experience of Directing, then there are postgraduate courses to give you some professional credibility such as :
Theatre Directing MA | Royal Holloway, University of London
MA Drama Directing - Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

Reply 3

Chester Student

Official Rep

12

Original post by cel.estine

I'm looking to study theatre performance-making in the UK but not sure which school would be the best fit. I want to be a director of theatre in the future, but I also don’t want to limit myself too soon—I’d like to explore all aspects of theatre along the way. My drama teachers suggested that if I want regular directing experience, even on a small scale, I should join a school with an active drama society or extracurricular group that stages productions often. That way, I can take on different roles while also getting plenty of chances to direct. If you have any advice or personal experience with theatre conservatories/universities, I’d love to hear it! I’m especially interested in places that offer both performance-making and applied theatre courses.

Hi there,

As Jess has said, Chester has some really great opportunities related to your interests, including courses, societies, and extra activities.

However, I think it would be useful for you to do some research! It is ultimately down to you for which university would be the right fit for you, and only you will be able to know that.

I'd recommend examining the courses thoroughly, using UCAS and other useful websites to compare them. Which modules interest you most, and how do you prefer teaching to be delivered? Explore the extracurriculars, such as societies, and find out what you'd prefer to be a part of. Finding out what the city/wider area can offer you is also important. In Chester we have Storyhouse, which is a fantastic place offering great opportunities to students. Are there opportunities similar to this, part-time work, volunteering, or other relevant experiences that you can get involved in?

It's a long process, but ultimately worth it and it sounds like you have some great ambitions! I hope this helps, and best of luck,

Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography (With a Year Abroad)

Reply 4

yep:)

9

Original post by cel.estine

I'm looking to study theatre performance-making in the UK but not sure which school would be the best fit. I want to be a director of theatre in the future, but I also don’t want to limit myself too soon—I’d like to explore all aspects of theatre along the way. My drama teachers suggested that if I want regular directing experience, even on a small scale, I should join a school with an active drama society or extracurricular group that stages productions often. That way, I can take on different roles while also getting plenty of chances to direct. If you have any advice or personal experience with theatre conservatories/universities, I’d love to hear it! I’m especially interested in places that offer both performance-making and applied theatre courses.

Hey!

So I would really recommend looking up courses with the keywords Experimental, Collaborative and Devised as there are a few courses with these in the title that match theatre performance-making.

I know that there are courses at Central such as BA Acting: Collaborative and Devised (formerly known as Contemporary Devised Theatre) which might match what you are looking for or their BA Performance and Contemporary Arts (formerly known as Experimental Arts Performance).

I think Rose Bruford may also have an undergrad that aligns with what you are interested in.

Of course there are also lots of other drama schools that would be worth looking into.

I do also know that Uni of Warwick has an undergrad that comes well regarded in performance making too.

Reply 5

dramamum03

10

My daughter wants to do Acting and has applied to some of the big well known drama schools the past 2 years however has bern unsuccessful so far. Next academic year will be the last time she applies as she doesn’t want to take any more time out, so she is also starting to look at some “normal” universities that have reputable Drama societies, to give her a better chance of being accepted somewhere, so perhaps applying for English degrees but then have the drama society for the acting part.
If its a university you are looking for rather than an actual drama school then one that has came up on different forums is Exeter, someone had mentioned it ranked no.1 on some tables for drama and her son had taken shows 2 years in a row to Edinburgh Fringe and has done various workshops and short films through the society. Also heard people mention Durham university and York. The likes of your Oxford and Cambridge are also supposed to have great drama societies. I suppose it’s just trying to do the research and see what would suit, and if they had a degree that you wanted to do 😊

Reply 6

Georgiek9

8

Original post by McGinger

All Unis have Theatre / Drama Societies. Its not up to 'which Uni', its up to you to make the most of the opportunities and learn the process by working on numerous productions. Once you have this experience of Directing, then there are postgraduate courses to give you some professional credibility such as :
Theatre Directing MA | Royal Holloway, University of London
MA Drama Directing - Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

Bristol Old Vic has closed

Reply 7

McGinger

20

Original post by Georgiek9

Bristol Old Vic has closed

Incorrect.
They have paused all Undergrad admissions for the time being and will focus on postgraduate and short courses.

Reply 8

Georgiek9

8

Original post by McGinger

Incorrect.
They have paused all Undergrad admissions for the time being and will focus on postgraduate and short courses.

So I believe, but I saw a press release thst said once those courses are completed, they won’t be continuing. I hope that’s wrong

Reply 9

McGinger

20

Original post by Georgiek9

So I believe, but I saw a press release thst said once those courses are completed, they won’t be continuing. I hope that’s wrong

That's the Undergrad courses only,
The current Undergrad courses will 'run through' to completion but no new cohorts will be recruited for the time being. Postgrad and short courses will continue. BOVTS is therefore not 'closing'.

What conservatories/universities in the UK have great theatre/drama societies?

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