Reimagining Performance Practice

A full-time (1 year) or part-time programme (2 years) with 4 x 30 credit modules and 1 x 60 credit dissertation or major project module. The taught (30 credit) modules are six weeks’ long. Teaching at Dartington is concentrated into two-week periods for each of the first four modules, with supported e-learning and independent learning in between.

The MFA option involves a further 60 credits of study resulting in a significant, self initiated public outcome, performance, exhibition or publication. Participants will be drawn from our own MA programmes as well as those from other institutions.

A full-time (1 year) or part-time programme (2 years) with 4 x 30 credit modules. Students taking the full-time option will study all four modules during the first two terms.  For full details on part-time pathways, please contact us.

A full-time programme with 2 x 30 credit modules. Students will study both modules during term one.

To apply for the accredited single module option, apply in the usual way, selecting the ‘Module One’ option during the application process.

MA Reimagining Performance Practice is a full-time (1 year) or part-time programme (2 years) with 4 x 30 credit modules and 1 x 60 credit module (dissertation or final project). For the MFA, a further 60 credit Professional Project is added at the end of the programme.

Module One: Reimagining Performance Practice (30 credits)

19-30 Sept 2022 onsite and 3-28 Oct 2022 online*

We start with what each student brings to the programme and how an individual’s skills and experiences connect to their aspirations, and to their peers. Through self-evaluation and diagnosis, critiquing, individual processes of making work, and reimagining performance practice students identify / rethink the material, cultural and social conditions of contemporary performance in rapidly shifting contexts.

Module Two: Collaborations – Developing Performance Practices and Research Methods 1 (30 credits)

7-18 Nov 2022 onsite and 21 Nov-16 Dec 2022 online

An artist-led intensive studio workshop on collaborative processes and strategies provides practical grounding, to which students respond by making short performance or presentation. The module also introduces the contextualisation and dissemination of performance practices, their relation to site, environments and communities, to other artforms and their collaborative approaches.

Module Three: Sites, Collaborations and Communities (30 credits)

16 Jan- 3 Feb 2023 online, 6-17 Feb onsite, and 20-24 Feb online

This module explores the development of performance practice in sited, collaborative and community contexts through negotiated fieldwork – individually or with others – of one or more small-scale projects, allowing students to extend their understanding and creative engagement with the complexities of generating and developing communities through performance.

Module Four: Communities – Developing Performance Practices & Research Methods 2 (30 credits)

6-17 Mar 2023 online, 20-31 Mar onsite, and 3-6 Apr online

The module starts with a 5-day, artist-led, intensive studio workshop on strategies and processes for generating reimagined performance practice in relation to communities, it provides a practical grounding and exemplar in response to which students make short performances or presentations. Students complete a portfolio of processes, strategies and methodologies supporting their practical performance research.

Module 5: MA Dissertation / Final Project (60 credits)

15 May 2023–11 Aug deadline – Supported through tutorials onsite or online

This module supports the student’s creative, theoretical and reflective work. The module culminates in a public showing of work that is relevant and authentic to the practice and/or the submission of a formal piece of writing. Outputs from the module will evidence the depth of development and synthesis of knowledge from the programme.

Module 6: MFA Professional Project (60 credits)

Sept–Dec 2023 – Supported through tutorials onsite or online

This module is self-initiated from the outset and prioritises individual research, conducted under supervision with identified tutors and other mentors and external advisors considered essential to the study. MFA students learn from and contribute to the delivery of the module through their interaction with peers, tutors, place and the wider community. Emphasis is placed upon independence, originality, initiative and enterprise. Teaching and learning will be complemented by a wide range of visiting lecturers (e.g., artists, choreographers, directors, performers composers, critics, curators, etc), providing the opportunity to discuss work with renowned experts. Students will develop individual opportunities with local, national and/or international venues, opportunities, residencies, agencies, etc., which may also result in working independently or at distance. Culmination of the module is the production of a substantial and resolved creative outcome that will be exhibited /performed/ published and assessed in an appropriate public arena.

*Students can book studios for independent work during and outside the onsite taught periods. The Dartington Library is available throughout your studies. You also have access both remotely and physically to University of Plymouth Library.

This is a low-residency programme, which means that you can opt to live onsite or offsite throughout your studies. If living offsite, you can book accommodation onsite or in the surrounding area for the two-week onsite taught periods. You can opt for tutorials onsite or online for modules 5 and 6.