Applied Theatre MA

Applied theatre at Central is highly regarded internationally as a world leader with the largest number of specialist teaching staff in the field.

This course is aimed at those interested in developing current practice of using theatre and drama in community and education settings, or of using theatre and drama with people whose lives have been affected by the criminal justice system.

The MA Applied Theatre encourages investigation into the possibilities and contradictions of drama and theatre practice as transformative and rehabilitative, and engages practically and critically with a range of theories and current practices. As a student on the programme, you will:

• Gain knowledge of theatre in extensive applied, community and drama education settings, in the UK and globally
• Combine theory and practice in exploring how theatre can change lives
• Offers industry placements globally
• Key features of the programme

Key features of the MA Applied Theatre are:

• exploration of theatre work in specific settings;
• key practices in applied theatre;
• a theoretical engagement with new ideas in the field;
• project-based study examining specific professional work with a varied range of client groups;
• or specialising in working with people whose lives have been affected by the criminal justice system.
• The course develops knowledge of the ways in which drama and theatre are used to benefit a range of distinct groups that are key to today’s evolving cultural landscape.

Pathway options
It offers two specialist pathways: Drama in the Community and Drama Education or Drama and the Criminal Justice System. Each pathway is specifically designed to support current practice at work, or a particular field of interest in the developing landscape of applied theatre and drama in the UK. You will have the opportunity to develop your own practice and scholarship.

Leverhulme Funding for Applied Theatre students
Central has the only applied theatre courses where students have access to funding from the Leverhulme Trust to support distant placements.