Collaborative Theatre-Making (Masters Level) - TFT00135M

«Back to module search

Module summary

This module will focus on practical collaborative rehearsal methods, exploring, in particular, ensemble theatre company approaches. This will be a practice-based module foregrounding rigorous dynamic rehearsal room processes through taught and self-directed sessions. Drawing on theoretical approaches and case-studies, we’ll examine ways of working with text, the body, questions of space, the role of R&D, facilitation, and ensemble development. We'll consider the complexities of how these elements intersect through practice and are held together in the creative process. This module encourages students to conduct skills audits and to continually reflect on their positionality within the collaborative processes with which they engage.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2025-26

Module aims

This module aims:

• To develop an advanced physical and vocal practice as theatre-makers

• To develop an understanding of a range of theatre companies and their working methods and ethoses and to gain experience of putting these into practice

• To develop the practical and organisational skills necessary for successful theatre practice in a professional studio setting

• To gain experience of collaboratively planning and facilitating independent sessions

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, you are expected to:

• Advance your skills in rehearsal room practices and leadership in order to work towards a professional standard

• Establish an independent and collaborative mode of practice with an awareness of your positionality within the collaborative process

• Lead an independent R&D process

• Conduct advanced and disciplined rehearsal sessions, both individually and in groups

• Write reflectively about your practice and the process of theatre-making in reference to the work of a range of practitioners

• Respond creatively and with accomplishment to performance prompts

• Cultivate your practice in relation to the wider theatre-making ecology

Module content

This module comprises both taught and independent studio-based sessions, and will equip you to deepen your practice in workshop and rehearsal settings. Taught sessions will introduce a variety of ensemble approaches to theatre practice, and will contextualise these methods in relation to key examples from professional practice. Examples may include ensemble theatre companies such as Rash Dash, The Paper Birds, Complicite, Wise Children, Frantic Assembly and Forced Entertainment. In these sessions, you will work across both practical exploration and discussion. In self-directed sessions, you will expand and extend your own personal practice in relation to these wider module learnings, developing a rigorous independent practice that advances your previous experience as a theatre-maker and supports future work in creative settings. Taught alongside Theatre undergraduate students, this module will provide the experience of collaborating with a larger ensemble. This will also mirror industry standards when frequently theatre-makers are running a rehearsal room where actors and creatives are of different ages and experiences. MA students will be given additional set readings and in-depth reflective tasks to develop their own practice at an advanced level.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	60.0
Groupwork	40.0

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Students will receive ongoing formative feedback in taught sessions.

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	60.0
Groupwork	40.0

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Barker, C. (2010). Theatre Games.

Bogart, A and Landau, T. (2005). The Viewpoints Book.

Bonczek, R and Storck, D. (2013). Ensemble Theatre Making: A Practical Guide.

Cantrell, T., Graham, K., Love-Smith, M. and Quigley, K. (2025) Research and Development in British Theatre

Heddon, D and Milling, J. (2005.) Devising Performance: A Critical History.

Lane, D. (2010). Contemporary British Drama.

Peck, L. (2023) Emma Rice’s Feminist Acts of Love

Radosavljevic, D. (2013) The Contemporary Ensemble