Theatre & Performance Studies

Abigail
Theatre & Performance Studies MA
I chose King’s because of it’s world-leading research reputation in my subject area and because the course allowed for both high level research and exciting industry opportunities that are not available outside the MA – as part of my course I’ve been interning at the National Theatre Archives, which has shaped my research, and given me some amazing experiences working on exhibitions. This has given me skills and experiences for work which I would never have gained otherwise.

One of the best things so far is how dedicated the teachers are to the students – it’s wonderful to be taught by someone who’s not just an expert in the field, but who is also genuinely interested in supporting you. Having the freedom to pursue what I’m most interested in and be led by my own independent research has been excellent: this year I’ve written about performance anthropology, tackling current and important topics such as the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Researching at postgraduate level is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Because of the research facilities at King’s I’ve also been able to take a class from the Medical Humanities MA, and the exchange of knowledge has been hugely valuable to my research. The possibility of taking classes in other departments was a major factor in choosing King’s – the research community beyond my MA course is a fantastic, diverse and interesting body to be a part of. By the end of my first term I’d already had the opportunity to give a paper at one of King’s man research conferences!

The combination of research and industry experience in my MA has meant I have built up the skills I need for both research and industry! I hope to go into the cultural industry to gain more experience, but would also like to return to King’s to do a PhD at a later point. My MA has been crucial to building up the skills I need for my career, it’s prepared me for both further research and industry which is hugely valuable in this age of austerity. I also received a bursary which has been pivotal for supporting my studies, taking some of the financial pressure away so that I can take on additional internship opportunities and focus on my research.

Amanda
USA
Theatre & Performance Studies MA
I moved to London for three months to study abroad as an undergraduate, when my focus started to shift from acting to academic work. In those three months I fell in love with London, and the London theatre, and promptly started looking at universities in London to do my graduate work.

 

When I found the Theatre and Performance Studies MA at King's I instantly knew that it was the programme for me. King's offered the reputable research environment I was looking for, and the MA specifically offered the opportunity to take a guided study module and intern for a term. And just as exciting, both offered, from my first correspondence, knowledgeable and welcoming teaching and departmental staff.

 

Now that I have begun my study, I am consistently impressed and awed by both the opportunity I have to participate in various Theatre and Performance Studies seminars and lecture groups across the city, and by the knowledge and opportunities at home at King's

 

The exposure I have had to various working artists in the classroom, through the Performance Lab module (a term-long workshop in performance making run by currently working artists and King's teaching staff) and the guided study internship have been invaluable in my growth as an academic and performer. The Theatre and Performance Theory module has challenged me to hone analytical performance thinking skills which will be important in my future career, as a university researcher and professor.

Bryony
Theatre & Performance Studies MA
Having studied English Literature for my BA at King’s, I was very keen to continue my postgraduate studies within an institution that had fostered my academic career and stimulated my interest in Theatre, the Visual Arts and Performance throughout my undergraduate degree.

The interdisciplinary nature of the MA in Theatre and Performance Studies was the primary reason I choose this postgraduate programme. My academic interests lie at the cross-sections of a diverse range of disciplines, including performance, the visual arts, art history, philosophy, architecture and geography.

It is King’s where I feel my research interests are met and furthered. The range of both academic and practical approaches that forms the teaching experience of the Theatre and Performance MA affords an assorted and exciting environment for learning. The excellent academic setting of the MA is facilitated by the outstanding teaching staff within the English department and specifically those teaching on the MA in Theatre and Performance. The teaching staff and the visiting artists make the MA in Theatre and Performance Studies a truly exceptional postgraduate programme to be undertaking. Their varied research interests and backgrounds reflect the diversity of the modules and areas of research offered throughout the course.

From the practice-based Performance Lab taught by some of the countries most exciting artists to a heavily theoretical, philosophically based Research Methods module to courses in Performance Theory, Live Art and Performance Art to an internship module, this MA offers a stimulating and rewarding array of research areas and modes of inquiry.

Currently, I am studying my Masters part-time, which has been an extremely successful option for me personally; allowing me time to truly digest the reading materials on the course and form my own research interests and questions. Studying part-time also provides me with the opportunity to work at the Tate Galleries; this helps me to fund my studies and also further my understanding of working in an arts-based institution. Most importantly, undertaking part-time studies allows me to continue and further my own performance work that focuses on gallery-based performance and installation.

The location of King’s in the centre of London also presents an unrivalled position at the heart of London’s performance and art scenes; endowing my studies with a sense of cultural and creative importance. I also enhance my postgraduate studies through taking advantage of the variety of talks, symposiums and research seminars offered at other London institutions; this would not be as richly generative for my thinking if I were not situated in London. The location of King’s also provides great potentials for future employment within the arts and further postgraduate study. I cannot recommend this course highly enough; it is undoubtedly equipping me with the skills I need to hopefully undertake a PhD and develop my own performance work.

Fiona
Theatre & Performance Studies MA
King's seemed the best place for me for three main reasons: the breadth of interdisciplinary approaches to studying theatre and performance theories and practices; the scope of research interests and expertise shown by the academic tutors and visiting artists and the combination of practical and academic teaching. The small class sizes also enable a supportive tutor/student dynamic in the well-equipped space of the Anatomy Theatre which enables students to develop work and share ideas in a creative environment.

 

Having previously engaged with applied and community theatre practice as an undergraduate at Central School of Speech and Drama, I wanted to expand my theoretical and academic knowledge of performance work on a broader scale.

 

I'm doing the MA part-time in order to continue working as a freelance practitioner. I work as a drama and digital arts facilitator for C&T Theatre Company, and in an adolescent psychiatric unit. I'm also lead vocalist in a band writing and performing music. Understanding the theory and research methods behind theatre and performance studies feeds my creative practice as a drama practitioner and musician. Likewise, my performance practice is constantly being fuelled by the ongoing discovery of new areas of study, which in turn complements my academic engagement.

 

I received an Innovation Scholarship to help fund my maintenance and tuition fees, without which I would have been unable to study. The scholarship has meant that I can afford to spend time researching and further enhancing my study without financial worries.

 

After graduating I hope to develop my own performance practice combining live performance and music. The various modules on offer to choose from, such as Performance Lab, Guided Study and Performance and Live Art, will undoubtedly equip me with the skills required to feel confident in applying this practice to further experimentation within the field.

Louise
British
Theatre & Performance Studies MA
I chose to return to King's for graduate study as it's an exciting place to be. The quality of the teaching is high and the class sizes are small, so being fully involved with the course and pursuing your own interests comes naturally. There is an intimate, growing Performance community at King's which I feel a part of and there are loads of opportunities to go to performance seminars across London.

 

Outside the course I'm learning to break dance with the King's Dance Society, I go out every week salsa dancing and at the weekends escape London with my local cycling club.

 

I fund my living costs working part-time at the LSE and I'm planning to work full time over the summer to pay my fees for next year - it just about works!

 

After the programme I would like to continue my academic studies alongside building a creative career. The MA is giving me a brilliant foundation for a PhD and helping me to build invaluable connections and experience for the future.

Tom
Theatre & Performance Studies MA
As I knew King's from my BA, it was an obvious choice for me to continue my studies here; I was well aware of the high quality of teaching and research in the department. It is, without a doubt, the best located place to be studying Theatre & Performance – right in the heart of London, with incredible opportunities to experience and take part in the cultural and academic life of the capital.

 

I feel that I've gained a solid grounding in the theoretical approaches to theatre and performance, and as someone without a background in performance of any kind, investigating performance as research has had a huge and productive effect on my practice.

 

Having started out the year feeling very uncomfortable with performing even just in front of my classmates, my confidence has developed to the point that I will be presenting a performed panel at Performance Studies International in Leeds this summer. I supplement my teaching at King's by regularly attending research seminars at other London institutions, giving me unparalleled access to some of the most cutting-edge thinking in the field.

 

I'm hoping to stay at King's to do PhD research into the links between performance studies and non-philosophy, utilising the skills I've developed during the past year of MA study and working under the same staff who have supported me so effectively during this stage of my education. I would absolutely recommend the course both to those hoping to continue studying and to those looking to find work in the arts industry.