Communications, Drama and Film – Practice Blog
Celebrating the breadth and variety of practical work in the department
Communications, Drama and Film – Practice Blog
Celebrating the breadth and variety of practical work in the department
Posted by jgprimro
16 February 2025In partnership with industry arts organisations Exeter Northcott Theatre and Doorstep Arts, we co-hosted the Devising Discovery Platform event on Saturday 15 February 2025. This programme is a partnership between Doorstep Arts, Exeter Northcott, the University of Exeter Widening Participation programme, and the DRA2026 Applied Theatre course at the University of Exeter Drama Department. At the final Platform event, 50 students from 6 schools across South Devon took to the stage, performing their own original devised work, with support from Lead Artists and Applied Theatre students from the University of Exeter.
This outreach programme worked with 11 Devon schools in 2025, reaching over 300 students in secondary and FE drama classes.
Congratulations to the students from St Cuthbert Mayne, Clyst Vale College, ISCA Academy, Paignton Academy and Torquay Girls Grammar School who represented and performed original pieces at the Platform yesterday. The Platform also featured an excerpt performance of ‘I Love My AI Boyfriend’ created by Exeter College Performing Arts Academy as the headline act.
During the morning, participants get a chance to rehearse at Roborough Studios, working on their pieces in these state-of-the-art rehearsal studios which are a key space of the Department of Communications, Drama and Film at the University of Exeter. These rehearsals give a realistic sense of what it is like to study Drama at the university level, and university students are on hand throughout the day to chat and answer questions about this too.
This outreach is possible because of support from the University of Exeter Widening Participation programme, as well as match funding from Arts Council England from partner Doorstep Arts. It is able to reach a number of regional schools because of the outreach work of the students on the DRA2026 Applied Drama module at the University of Exeter, who are supported by lecturer Erin Walcon. This module teaches key skills in facilitation, workshop-planning, pedagogy and touring – the Applied students learn via a project-based learning model within this kind of real experiential delivery.
The final Platform showcases this work, creating an opportunity for students to meet other students from other schools, to perform on a professional stage, and to learn more about aspirational youth theatre opportunities.
The Exeter Northcott technical & producing team provide invaluable support on the day, mentoring and supporting participants to learn technical theatre skills. Each piece gets a chance to have a professional technical rehearsal on the stage, and this brings special aspirational element to the final performances.
Now in its 14th year, this programme continues to bring new connections, forging relationships with drama teachers based in Devon regional secondary schools. Each year brings a renewed sense of the importance of making safe spaces to encourage risk-taking, building confidence and nurturing the next generation of performers, artists and change-makers.
Thanks to all who took part in 2025… we’re already looking ahead to next year!
Find out more & see lots of photos on the Doorstep Arts blog: doorsteparts.co.uk/devising-discovery-platform-2025/
