Arts, Culture and Media - Theatre

Every student who chooses Theatre and Performance Studies in the Arts, Culture and Media Department opts for an interdisciplinary program. Here, students focus upon the role that theatre and the performing arts play within culture and society. The main aim of the programme is to create qualified and motivated theatre professionals with well-rounded knowledge of all forms of theatre (from antiquity to today) as well as of the contemporary theatre market and its increasing interdisciplinarity.

The core modules within Theatre and Performance Studies offer students an introduction to the theory and history of theatre, by covering a wide range of genres and forms, such as ancient drama, dramatic and post-dramatic theatre, experimental theatre and dance, and multidisciplinary performance. In order to highlight the richness of theatre traditions, Theatre and Performance Studies offer insights into a number of perspectives and research methods. We analyze key drama and dramaturgical texts through close-readings and hermeneutic analyses. We visit a number of local and international productions. We have pre- and post-show discussions with theatre makers related to their creative process and to subjects taken from relevant frameworks, including those of semiotics, gender studies, sociology, and performance studies. In individual research and in group projects, students focus upon the creation and perception of theatre; the goals and intentions of theatre makers; and the public’s actual experiences and interpretations. Additionally, students are asked to conduct high quality fieldwork in different phases of their studies. In this way students also have the opportunity to come into contact with the practical side of the artistic process.

Ultimately, the students of Theatre and Performance Studies of KCM

• Examine the particularities and development of theatre as an art medium throughout the centuries
• Come into contact with the diverse theatre forms present in contemporary artistic production (in the Netherlands and internationally)
• Learn to identify what constitutes a theatre production and to critically analyze contemporary performances
• Understands the complexity of the theatre field, the role of distribution and the importance of reception
• Conduct high quality fieldwork by attending international theatre festivals, working in theatre venues, creating theatre works, discussing and collaborating as dramaturges with theatre artists etc.  

During a three-year programme, students follow the required modules in their own arts specialization (Theatre and Performance Studies), a second arts discipline, as well as integrated arts courses highlighting the role of arts in society.

Bachelor's programme (Theatre and Performance studies)

Theatre IA : Analysis, Theory and History (5 EC):

The goal of Theatre IA is to provide insights into the characteristics of theatre as a medium of culture, as well as into its development through the centuries. In Theatre 1A, the focus is particularly upon theatre up until the end of the 19^th century. Within every period of theater’s history, the focus changes: from an oral tradition to the importance of written language; from printed text to visual performances; from local activity to global events. Students study these developments in relation to the theoretical reflection on these changes. The course includes reading and analysis of several key theatre works.

Theatre IB : Analysis, Theory and History (5 EC):

Theatre IB emphasizes the development of written culture and the gradual transition to visual culture during the last 150 years. [DT1] It continues the developments that were introduced in Theatre IA. The course includes training in writing an academic paper.

Theatre II : History and Theory (10 EC):

Theatre II concentrates upon the most important discussions related to theatre theory, drama texts and related visual material, from the end of the 19^th century to the beginning of the 21^th century. This leads to a historical perspective, as well as to insight into the importance of contemporary theatre theory and practice.

Theatre III : Theory and Analysis (10 EC):

This module analyses developments in theatre from the Sixties of the previous century to today.

Theatre in a Global Context (5 EC) :

The module examines theatre festivals from a theoretical and historical perspective but also through a consideration of contemporary examples.

Arts in Practice: Theatre (10 EC):

In this course, students orient themselves towards the work field by learning to apply theoretical knowledge to professional practice. The course examines the interdisciplinary area of contemporary theatre and performance production as well as the relationship between art theory and practice today. In this frame, students engage in a series of practices (creation of a theatre work, dramaturgical advice to artists, writing of art reviews, theatre marketing practices etc.) related to the professional contemporary art world. The main aim of this process is to examine, discuss and also question the current state and production modes of the artistic market.

Bachelor Thesis (10 EC)

The Bachelors’ thesis is an individual literature research project based upon aspects related to theatre and its relation to culture, history, and society. Based upon a central question, students incorporate material from published sources to be interpreted and synthesized, relying upon methods and skills developed within the courses of their specialization.

Theatre Staff

Lucia van Heteren

Eleftheria Ioannidou