Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Arts

The overall aim of the Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Arts programme is to equip graduates, who may have majored in a different discipline, with the skills and knowledge that fulfil the expectations of the dramatic arts industry, its practitioners and clients.

Graduate Diploma students will acquire critical thinking and independent learning skills, along with in-depth knowledge in dramatic arts which enhance their professional skills in this selected area or allow them to staircase to postgraduate study.

BMA290 Staging Fundamentals II

Provides students with a theoretical and practical background and application into technical areas of stage production and stage management. Enables students to experience, consider and develop the application of their own process with regard to the specific demands, techniques and vocabularies of contemporary stage production. Set design and fundamentals of construction/props are developed in relation to the working actor, along with theoretical and practical skills in sound and lighting, and knowledge of safety procedures in relation to all areas of technical production and related industries.

BMA291 Actor Instrument – Voice and Singing II

The aim of this paper is to study the integration of voice and singing skills with movement.  Students will develop flexibility and accuracy of articulation and will control articulation with reference to more complex text.  The emphasis on singing is two-fold: lyrical singing incorporating character and narrative work, up to public performance standard, and ensemble work combining part singing with movement and choreography.

BMA294 Actor Instrument - Movement and Dance II

Students will develop a method of approach for exploring the physical character to a professional standard.  They will be provided with skills training in contrasting disciplines and choreographic styles which enhance the range of understanding of qualities of movement and dance, and to apply them with precision, confidence and flexibility.  Students will form links between imagination and physical expression, and develop a secure theatrical and physical understanding of terminology and method. They continue to collaborate with other areas of training to encourage an holistic understanding.

BMA320 Applied Research

The aim of this paper is to enable students to participate in research, analysis, draw conclusions and report findings in an appropriate format. The project is in two parts. Firstly, students apply skills acquired in the first two years of study to develop a research proposal in an area relevant to dramatic arts. Secondly, this proposal forms the basis of the major project, in which the student will undertake the approved project and report the findings from the investigation in an approved format.

BMA390 Public Production Programme

BMA390 is a culmination of the techniques and knowledge taught throughout the BMA programme. The aim of BMA390 is for students to research, plan and work in all areas of a series of productions which are designed to identify, extend and consolidate students’ strengths as professional actors. A wide range of public performances are produced throughout the year in a variety of professional venues.

BMA393 Contemporary Theatre Practice

This paper aims to re-establish connections between the individual concerns of the student and the broader context of contemporary developments in professional theatre and arts industry.  Individual and group experience in a contemporary arts setting. Students perform a range of contemporary works throughout the year.  

Graduates will have the practical and theoretical skills relating to professional performance, including staging, voice and singing, movement and dance, public production, contemporary theatre practice, and applied research, enabling career options within the broader dramatic arts industry. Importantly, graduates will have developed the capability to be self aware and reflective of their practice, which will enable professional growth along with the ability to staircase to further, post-graduate study in dramatic arts.

Application by Academic Qualification

Entry is open to degree graduates. However, those who are able to demonstrate equivalent practical, professional or educational experience of an appropriate kind may be granted admission.

In addition, all applicants must gain approval from the programme manager regarding paper selection, and any applicable pre-requisite requirements. Where the requisite knowledge or skill does not exist to allow direct entry into a Level 6 or 7 course, some level 5 study may be required in addition to the credit requirements for either qualification.

Additional Criteria

In addition, the following requirements may apply to applicants:

Applicants are required to provide two confidential references from people who are able to affirm that the applicant is of good character and reputation.

Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, must provide evidence of achieving an IELTS Academic English language test overall score of 6.0.

The Head of Faculty will determine the maximum number of students permitted to enrol in the programme. If there are more applicants than places available, students will be selected primarily on level of achievement in dramatic arts, and/or technical knowledge and skills.

All enrolments in the Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Arts are at the discretion of the Programme Manager in consultation with the Head of Faculty and teaching staff, as required.

Every candidate for the qualification of Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Arts is required to follow to the satisfaction of the Board of Studies, a programme of study for a minimum period of one year. Each year of study comprises two 17-week semesters.

The programme of study is made up of clusters of papers taken at the appropriate levels as outlined in Section 3.1.1 of this document.

The overall programme of study for every graduate diploma candidate requires 120 credits for successful completion of the qualification.

The student completing the Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Arts will normally be expected to complete the one-year programme (full-time equivalent) within four years.

Notwithstanding above, the Head of Faculty, with the approval and recommendation of the Board of Studies, may allow a student a longer period to complete the programme.

(Please note: students failing to attend for 80% of timetabled programme hours may forfeit zero fees entitlement.)

FIONA FORREST - Programme Manager

MA Dramatic Arts, Dip Dramatic Arts, Dip Teaching.

A graduate of East 15 Acting School and Central School Of Speech And Drama London, Fiona is the Artistic Director of the Sir Anthony Hopkins School of Dramatic Arts. A 2010 recipient of a Civic Honours Award for international services to Performing Arts, her artistic career is wide ranging and extensive.

As actor and director, her work has embraced professional and fringe theatre, production touring, theatre in education, community and youth theatre, film, television and radio in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

Career highlights include – Flower in ‘Forever Flowers’ directed by Wilson McCaskill- Chimera School of Acting Australia, Lucky in ‘Waiting For Godot’ directed by Wilson McCaskill –Chimera School of Acting  Australia, Woman in ‘Reigen’ Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Minnie Fay in ‘The Matchmaker’ Young Vic Theatre, London and workshops with Globe Director Mark Rylance at London’s Globe Theatre in the early stages of it’s construction.

Screen highlights include ‘Wedding Season’ – WATV Australia, ‘Shark In The Park’ - Gibson Group TVNZ, ‘Lord of The Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, ‘Two Little Boys’ directed by Robert Sarkies, ‘The Weight of Elephants’ directed by Daniel Borgman.

Recent Research Outputs:

• 'Jack and the Beanstalk' presented at the Southern Institute Of Technology  Research Symposium 2011.