Theatre Practice

Two years full-time.

The theoretical elements of the course support the practical study and underpin the extensive amount of practical experience. Having successfully completed the HND in Theatre, students have the opportunity to transfer into stage three of the single honours Drama degree at The University of Northampton. This is a special feature of the course, a pathway that allows a more practical and vocational approach, with close tutorial support, enabling students to achieve both an HND and degree qualification within three stages.

The most significant features of the course are the performance projects and productions. Currently the HND students take part in a minimum of six major projects in total. These have recently included a community theatre tour to local schools; public performances at the Royal Theatre (Jack the Ripper, The Goodbye Girl), performance with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal & Derngate; professional film experience with Sky TV Production and Gamcare performances as part of the Northampton Arts Festival, and performance at the Castle, Wellingborough (Countywide Dance showcase). The second stage of the HND centres around the setting up and running of a self-contained theatre company (Out of the Blue) which tours theatre venues and community halls throughout the county. The course aims to give the students a rich and varied approach to theatre and professional practice. Students are taught by experienced and qualified staff, professional actors and practitioners and enjoy a variety of visiting workshops and visits to the theatre.

Stage one

• Acting Development
• Arts Management
• Contextual Studies in Theatre
• Theatre in the Community
• Theatre Process and Production
• Voice, Speech and Movement

Stage two

• Acting as a Profession
• Physical Theatre
• Small Scale Touring Theatre
• Theatre Research Project
• Writing and Directing for Performance

• Community theatre tour
• Offers a varied approach to theatre
• Visiting workshop presentations

• Media Performance Technique
• Musical Theatre
• Theatre in Education

The coursework for HND Theatre is continuous assessment, with no examinations.

HND Theatre has a number of career options on completion of the course, including: continued education in drama or performing arts at higher education level (top-up degree route), specialist training in specific disciplines, for example application to drama or acting schools/courses, work within the industry-including arts management, touring theatre work, working with acting agencies, theatre in education, working in education - specialist drama teacher training for schools and further education.