Drama

Career Paths after MA Theatre Practice
Our MA Theatre Practice students and alumni have been wonderfully busy and creative this summer, making exceptional performances as creative professionals! Here is some of their news: 1. Menghan Chen, Yirui Fu and Jia Zhuang (MATP 2024-2025) presented their devised piece The First Ripple as part of Exeter Phoenix’s May Scratch Night. As an outcome… Read more: Career Paths after MA Theatre Practice
Drama Book Launch
We celebrated the launch of five new Drama books for 2025 on 28th May 2025, in-person and online. This array of new publications showcases Drama’s work across all forms of contemporary performance, richly informed by attention to resonant international, political and interdisciplinary histories. The authors each introduced their books on orchestral ensembles; the work of… Read more: Drama Book Launch
MA Theatre Practice student residency at Shakespeare’s Globe
Our MA Theatre Practice students recently compeleted their annual residency at the Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London. The MA Theatre Practice at Exeter has a long-standing relationship with the theatre, and every year, during Term 3, our students take up a week-long residency in their premises. During this intensive week, they undertake workshops, rehearsals and… Read more: MA Theatre Practice student residency at Shakespeare’s Globe
72 Hour Film Masterclass with Don Boyd
That’s a wrap on our masterclass with film director and producer Don Boyd. We had a full screening room yesterday afternoon for 7 short films made in less than 72 hours. Poignant, humorous, inventive and utterly representative of the collaborative and creative ethos of our Department. We’ve been refining this annual masterclass for four years.… Read more: 72 Hour Film Masterclass with Don Boyd
Exeter Scholars
On the 1st April the Department welcomed 30 Year 12 Exeter Scholars to Thornlea for the afternoon. As part of the University of Exeter’s Widening Participation programmes, Exeter Scholars is for students year 10 to year 13 giving them a taste of University life and an insight into Exeter’s faculties and departments. After registering in… Read more: Exeter Scholars
Practical Essays 2025
Thanks to our 3rd year Drama students, who have created 8 brand new pieces of theatre, for new audiences, in new spaces. This culminating module has an outward- and future-facing function, and can be a stepping stone to forming theatre companies. Thanks to our tech team who transported furniture, props, costumes, sound systems and lighting… Read more: Practical Essays 2025
Devising Discovery
In 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… Read more: Devising Discovery
A Christmas Carol
Drama academic Tony Lidington is giving his candle-lit reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’ as Charles Dickens again this year. The readings are in Teignmouth at St Michael’s Church on Saturday 21st December and Dawlish at The Strand Centre on Monday 23rd December.Both are free, atmospheric, Yuletide events for all the family – all donations are distributed… Read more: A Christmas Carol
Intermedial Performance Practice
Intermedial Performance Practice is a seminar module, which explores the close interrelationship of live performance with other forms of media – from film projections on stage to the use of motion capture, from experimentations with sound to the influence of video games on immersive theatre, from NT Live broadcasts to Zoom shows. In addition to… Read more: Intermedial Performance Practice
Eco-Theatre: Outdoor and Immersive Performance
On this practical 2nd level module, students are set an assignment to create an outdoor performance which enhances environmental awareness and facilitates human-nature connectedness.
MA Theatre Practice Alumni News
It is always wonderful to hear from our MA Theatre Practice alumni who are arts practitioners, educators and researchers around the globe.In the last weeks, we received some brilliant messages and information about their recent activities: Millie Sale (MATP 2023-2024) performed in Kelvin Wong’s cross-cultural, intermedial and environmentally sustainable piece Unsilent Mode in September 2024. Details: https://www.unsilentmode.com/In November 2024, Millie also assisted… Read more: MA Theatre Practice Alumni News
Physical Performance
Level 3, Physical Performance, Micro Performance (assessment) sharing, Roborough Studios Tech designed and composed by the students. With thanks to the tech team and Francis Parker for supporting this student led learning. In this practice-led module, Every. Body. Is welcome. Through practical experimentation students research the many uses of the word ‘physical’, they play and… Read more: Physical Performance
Ensemble Acting Showings
On 26, 27 and 28 November, the students of DRA2109 Ensemble Acting Co-Creation shared their final performances to invited audiences. The work was diverse and varied, ranging from highly physicalised dance theatre (Chains of Silence) through to a farcical murder mystery romp (Relatively Dead) through to a thoughtful naturalistic piece about isolation and friendship, captured… Read more: Ensemble Acting Showings
The Luminous
Prof Rebecca Loukes’ Practice Research project exploring women’s bodies as sites of resistance completed its 10-venue run this Autumn with three nights at Theatre Royal Plymouth. The Luminous was created by RedCape Theatre written by Catherine Dyson. Funded by Arts Council England, commissioned by Corn Exchange Newbury and supported by University of Exeter and South Street Arts,… Read more: The Luminous
Musical Theatre Masterclass
This afternoon, 6 November 2024, we were delighted to host Exeter alumni George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, for a masterclass, alongside theatrical producer (and alumnus) Nick Allott, who spoke about his work bringing a hugely impressive list of shows to the stage. The work of Stiles and Drewe includes the international smash-hit Cameron Mackintosh/Disney production… Read more: Musical Theatre Masterclass
Presessional with Punch
There’s no better way to finish the first day of the Comms/Drama/Film presessional research event than with a new Punch and Judy performance – part of The Judy Project looking at gender in this historical artform. As always, the glorious campus and Roborough Studios provides the perfect backdrop.
MA Theatre Practice Residency at the Shakespeare’s Globe
In early May 2024, the students of the MA Theatre Practice (Training & Performance Pathway) took up a week-long residency at The Globe. Their course consisted of acting, voice and movement classes, alongside tours of the buildings, lectures, performances and a Q&A with Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes. The MA Theatre Practice has a longstanding… Read more: MA Theatre Practice Residency at the Shakespeare’s Globe
What is there left for art to do?
Thank you so much to T.Sasitharan from Intercultural Theatre Institute Singapore for an inspiring workshop with our MAs, PhDs and undergrads on interculturalism and theatre followed by a thought-provoking Research Seminar titled ‘What is there left for art to do?’
Theatre is Dead! Long Live Theatre!
The Term 3 Festival launched with a world premiere of a new dark comedy written by Peter Oswald and performed by Peter and Howard Gayton, as part of his PhD Drama practice. The performance took place in Roborough Studio 1 on 2nd & 3rd May 2024.
The Judy Project premiere in London
Sunday 12 May 2024 – Shows throughout the day 12:30 – 17:30Come to see a Punch & Judy like none you have seen before! Spike “Bones” Lidington will premiere his show at the 49th annual Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival. Watch Ms Judy take centre stage as she navigates Mr Punch’s shenanigans, police harassment and questions their 360-year relationship.… Read more: The Judy Project premiere in London