BA (Hons) in American Theatre Arts
Sidcup, United Kingdom
BA
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 22,800 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EU/non-EEA fee | £9535 EU/EEA fee
Key Summary
This course combines intensive, practical performer training and the opportunity to study both in the UK and in the United States with a wider understanding of the subject's international context.
What you'll study
This intensive and practical course offers a unique approach to performance training combined with study both in the UK and in the United States.
You will explore new material and take part in cutting-edge, immersive productions as well as being closely tutored in the American classics and their social and political contexts, including plays by writers such as Arthur Miller, Lorraine Hansberry, Tennessee Williams, August Wilson and David Mamet.
You will get the opportunity to fully explore trans-Atlantic theatre practices and challenge conventional notions of actor training, have a platform for your voice and the chance to collaborate and experiment with your work.
Why choose this course?
- Expert and diverse training: Explore a comprehensive range of performance disciplines with a diverse group of practitioners, including musical theatre, acting on camera, directing, playwriting and theatre for young audiences
- Explore new plays with professionals: Work with professional Directors / Musical Directors and participate in the creation and production of new materials mentored by experienced playwrights, devisers and composers
- Reflect on real-world issues: The course curriculum consciously reflects and responds to the world beyond the campus, giving a space for your creativity, engagement and social activism to be part of your studies
- Professional experience: You will perform in public productions directed by professional American and British directors
- Study in the UK and US: As well as leading UK drama school training, you have the opportunity to spend a semester living and studying in the USA. We offer a choice of locations including prestigious institutions in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Kentucky, North & South Carolina and Texas. Additional costs are likely to be incurred for the international placement that is a part of this programme.
- Cutting-edge and collaborative: You will get the chance to work alongside designers and digital artists in the staging of unique immersive and multi-media productions that reflect the cutting edge of current industry practice
Course content is regularly reviewed, to make it relevant and current. Course modules are therefore subject to change.
Year 1
Studying at Rose Bruford College (UK), you will be introduced to the academic and intellectual skills that you will need for professional development.
You will begin to learn a range of performance skills and contextualise these in developing your understanding of American theatre.
- Demonstrate a range of physical and vocal performance skills
- Integrate these various skills and techniques into performance related to your study
- Engage with and identify collaborative processes within theatre-making
- Identify key concepts and ideas of major theorists and practitioners of American theatre
- Plan and prepare for seminars, workshops and rehearsals
- Demonstrate an awareness of professional discipline towards the work
- Demonstrate an independent imaginative response to your interpretation of text and performance
Year 2
Your skills will be further developed towards a level appropriate to professional work and you will experience performance in collaboration with other disciplines.
- Employ diverse physical and vocal performance skills in a range of performative contexts
- Evaluate critically the processes of the performer, director and designer within theatre-making
- Analyse the inter-relationships between the performer, director, designer and the audience in the creation of the theatre event
- Articulate and engage critically with the principles, concepts and ideas of writers and practitioners in an international context
- Apply a range of analytical, reflective and communicative skills informed by an understanding of practices inherent in theatre-making
- Demonstrate creativity and originality in the study and presentation of material
Year 3
Studied in the United States and at Rose Bruford College (UK), you are expected to be a self-directed learner, with regular tutorials associated with specific projects guiding you and ensuring that your learning is appropriately contextualised.
- Examining shared aspects of theatre practice between America and Europe
- Classes in acting, musical theatre, improvisation, physical theatre, playwriting, directing and theatre-making
- Independent research projects further developed by students
- Staff-directed public productions of contemporary American plays and musicals
- Professional preparation
We aim to put you in front of and amongst the profession. This includes the opportunity to gain practical experience and network both in the UK and US as well as introducing your work to the industry and agents in fully realised productions for public performance. We also support you in creating a self-promotion and career plan.
Careers options
Studying an Arts related subject gives you a wide range of skills that can be put to use in many careers. Recent graduates have gone on to become:
- Actors, entertainers and presenters
- Authors, Writers and translators
- Arts officers, producers and directors
- Musicians
- Customer service managers and supervisors
- Leisure and travel services
- Business, Marketing and related associate professionals
Teaching and assessment methods
In each year you will complete around 600 hours of indicative scheduled learning and teaching activities and 600 hours of independent learning on projects, productions, placements or self-directed study. Assessment will be through: Performances; Coursework, presentations and portfolios; Continuous practical assessment