Course summary

Explore the application of theatre practice as an interventionist tool, and discover how to use theatre to effect social change. This Masters course allows you to investigate current issues, debates and theories around applied theatre in the diverse contexts of education, health and mental health, community work, and the criminal justice system. You’ll gain a critical understanding of issues relating to applied theatre, such as ethics, boundaries, and evaluation, alongside structures of good practice. You’ll also develop your own creative practice, honing your facilitation skills with expert guidance from established practitioners. Throughout, you’ll have opportunities to apply your learning through workshops and practice-led research. You can also deliver a project in collaboration with an external partner, allowing you to focus on a particular issue such as intergenerational arts or asylum seeker integration. Leeds has a thriving cultural scene, and we have partnerships with many organisations that are engaged in applied theatre practice including Leeds Playhouse, Red Ladder Theatre Company, and theatre in education company Blah Blah Blah. We also work closely with local institutions like schools, hospitals, and Leeds City Council, as well as a range of third sector organisations. Specialist facilities Our School is based in stage@leeds, a purpose-built landmark building that sits at the heart of campus. As our student, you’ll have access to its two professional standard, publicly licensed theatres: the main space seats 180 and is equipped with the latest technologies, and the theatre studio provides a technically advanced performance research facility. stage@leeds hosts a range of work by students and visiting theatre companies all year round. Within the building you’ll also find rehearsal rooms, two black-box studios, costume construction and wardrobe stores, a design studio, a scenic workshop, computer aided design facilities and video-editing and sound recording. Extensive resources Our greatest resource is our links with the local community. Partnership working is fundamental to applied theatre, and the unique requests and needs of our community partners inspire and shape our work with them. Leeds University Library is one of the UK’s major academic research libraries, and has extensive holdings to support your studies including Special Collections offering a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art. You’ll have access to materials relating to Leeds Playhouse, Phoenix Dance Theatre, and more. Many of the Library’s materials are available online, allowing you to access them from a distance. You’ll also have access to study services like one-to-one support and skills development workshops, which will help you to get the most out of your time with us.