Drama, Theatre and Directing

Drama, theatre, and directing is a discipline that takes performance seriously as both a practice and an area of intellectual inquiry. Theatre is one of the oldest forms of human expression, and what happens when bodies and voices inhabit a space together to tell a story or explore an idea remains a subject of rich theoretical debate and creative experimentation. This programme at Chichester develops both the practical craft of performance and the critical and conceptual understanding of what theatre is, how it works, and what it can do.

At Chichester, you will have extensive opportunities to perform in and to direct your own work, as well as to engage with existing texts, ranging across classical drama, contemporary playwriting, and experimental forms. You will study theatre history and theory, develop your directorial eye through practical projects, and work within collaborative creative processes that reflect the realities of professional theatre-making. Chichester's location, close to the Chichester Festival Theatre and other significant regional theatre venues, provides access to professional performance contexts that enrich the academic experience.

The three-year full-time programme develops versatility, creative rigour, and the ability to think critically about theatrical choices.

Graduates from drama and theatre programmes go on to work as directors, performers, playwrights, stage managers, producers, and in arts administration, education, and community theatre. The skills the degree develops, including collaborative working, public communication, creative problem-solving, and the ability to analyse complex scenarios and communicate ideas clearly, are also valued well beyond the theatre profession. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study or professional training in directing, acting, or theatre-making, and some build careers that combine performance practice with teaching or community engagement.