Led by internationally recognised practitioners, this degree scheme takes a fresh, radical approach to design in performance, looking beyond the established boundaries of set, costume, lighting and sound design to take a total view of performance space as an expressive artistic field in its own right. This is not a degree in ‘how to do it’, but an inquiry into how it might be done.
Through a combination of practical and theoretical explorations, you will critically examine and engage with a wide range of contemporary practices from playhouse theatre to site-specific performance and from environmental theatre to performance installation. As the scheme progresses, the focus of study sharpens steadily upon your own practice as an independent artist, applying your acquired knowledge and skills to the making of work that is fresh, radical and expressive for you, within or beyond the context of theatre and performance.
Why study Scenography and Theatre Design at Aberystwyth?
This course will enable you to explore a radical and innovative approach to theatre and performance design
You will be taught and mentored by a team of internationally known designers and experts
We are a vibrant and creative department where drama and theatre, film and media, and scenography and theatre design collide
All students benefit from our complementary learning experiences where theory and practice are designed to feed into each other
As a department, students benefit from our connections with key industry partners, such as National Theatre Wales, Music Theatre Wales, Quarantine Theatre Company, and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. These creative partners provide an excellent opportunity to network and liaise with those in the industry before graduation
Students in the department have access to our superb facilities and resources for practical work: three rehearsal studios, each with flexible technical facilities; 2 large professionally-equipped studios with digital lighting rigs controlled via ETC Congo and Strand Lighting consoles, Yamaha and Soundcraft PAs, Sanyo AV systems and Strand lighting and two NXAMP; and costume and wardrobe facilities
On our campus is one of the largest Arts Centres in Wales, which regularly presents national and international theatre and dance work.
Aberystwyth University is known for having a large number of clubs and societies, so be assured that your time will be occupied with your studies and taking part in your chosen club / society's activities
If you're looking for an experience beyond Aberystwyth, all students will have the opportunity to take part in a study abroad placement with one of our partnered Universities in Europe through the Erasmus + programme and some further afield through our International Exchange programme. Find out where your adventure could take you!
Our Staff
All academic staff at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies are research active and/or involved in Knowledge Transfer projects and have either relevant academic qualifications at doctoral level or equivalent professional experience and expertise.
Modules
Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.
* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh
Employability
What can I do with a Scenography and Theatre Design / Drama and Theatre Studies degree?
Many of our students have been successful in obtaining employment in these fields:
Set, Costume and Lighting Design
Production Design and Art Direction
Stage Management
Teaching and Education
Arts administration
Marketing;
Management and Project Co-ordination
Marketing and Public Relations.
What skills do I gain from this degree?
Students on this degree gain the following valuable skills that are sought after by employers. These include the ability to:
Gather, assimilate and interpret intellectual and aesthetic material independently and critically
Structure and communicate ideas efficiently and creatively through oral, written, visual and performative means to a range of audiences
Apply creative, imaginative and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations
Work effectively in group settings to develop, rehearse and produce live events
Apply creative, imaginative and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations
Research, evaluate and organise information
Structure and communicate ideas effectively in a variety of situations and using a variety of means
Work independently and with others
Effectively organise your time and deploy your skills
Listen to and make use of critical advice
Be self-motivated and self-disciplined
Use a range of information technology skills and resources
Be entrepreneurial in developing cultural projects.
Learning & Teaching
What will I learn?
The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three year degree scheme.
In your first year you will discover:
Approaches to studio-based and site-based scenographic design
Key scenographic concepts, methodologies and approaches
The function of design within the broader theatrical event
In your second year, you will explore:The four primary scenographic elements of space, light, sound and body
Theories and practices of scenographic exploration
Tools and methods for scenographic composition
How to conceive, develop and implement a cohesive theatre design project
How to collaboratively conceive, develop and realise a design for a departmental production
The analysis, evaluation and understanding of scenography and theatre design
The development of specialist skills required for the representation and communication of scenographic concepts
Optional modules which currently include Directors' Theatre: Staging Modern Drama, Shakespeare in Performance and New Media Performance.
In your final year, you will have the opportunity:
To create advanced independent creative work that prepares you for professional practice
To develop a specialism in one scenographic element
To create an electronic personal portfolio that documents your work
To undertake a major research project
To study specialist optional modules that currently include: Space, Place and Landscape; Performance and Architecture; Music Theatre Dramaturgies; and Theatre, Gender and Sexuality.
How will I be taught?
You will be taught primarily through small-group practical workshops, tutorials, group based project work and production projects
Our teaching is frequently mixed-mode, interrogating theory through practical investigation and practice through the lens of various theoretical perspectives
You will be assessed through scenographic performance projects, group presentations, conceptual projects, design projects, formal essays, practical examinations, critical and creative portfolios, practical productions, and seminar presentations
You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree scheme, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You are free to contact them at any time for help and advice.
Student Views
Scenography and Theatre Design allows new, young and enthusiastic designers to take their first steps towards changing how the future is viewed. Endless opportunities to create and to challenge existing design ideologies are made available to students, allowing them to not only find the best outcome, but to discover the style of the designer they want to be. Design is everywhere. Whether a student wants to delve into the events industry, television, architecture or marketing, design is the strongest element that is required.
Tabitha Thomas
Since graduating I have been living in London. I have worked for the multi award winning musical Wicked! at the Apollo Theatre, where I am both a Costume Assistant and Dresser. Aside from my work on Wicked! I freelance further as a Costume Assistant on a variety of theatre productions including The Railway Children (Waterloo Station) working closely with designers and costume supervisors to realise their work on stage. The flexibility and structure of the Scenography and Theatre Design degree combined with the expertise of the tutors means that not only do you feel you are getting a hand crafted, meaningful degree, but a course that teaches the skills and methodology you need to work in the industry. Aberystwyth University is an infectious place to study (and play!) with amazing staff, inspiring surroundings, endless opportunities and friends for life. I would certainly recommend it.
