Structure
Course Structure
Introduction to the Course
Based on established theatre design principles and conceptual rigour, the course offers a wide variety of training, incorporating traditional design skills whilst embracing applications of new media.
Throughout, students are encouraged to explore areas that are of specific interest to them such as: designs for plays; dance; puppetry; themed environments; opera; awards shows; pop/rock concerts; installations; carnivals; exhibitions; product launches; film; TV; festivals; animation; and large scale events.
The course is concerned with designing for a wide range of performance contexts. It has excellent professional links with a range of companies involved in theatre and performance, providing a variety of opportunities for student placements, including a range of exciting and challenging opportunities through which to explore the role of the designer for performance.
Krystel Morantin, puppetry performance set design, Level 4 2009/10
Your Learning Experience
The study of Theatre, Performance and Event Design is at once both broad and highly specific, requiring individuals to be independant and collaborative. The students are encouraged to be ambitious in their thinking and to embrace all aspects of performance-related design.
Learning is primarily through studio-based projects, where you will be introduced to skills (traditional, digital and a combination of both) that will enable you to design in a variety of performance contexts.
The staff team are experienced designers and makers with backgrounds in a variety of performance and visual communication contexts. Their understanding of contemporary educational practice is supported by their continued roles as practitioners within the industry about which they teach.
Facilities available to you on the course include designated studio spaces, a black box studio theatre, digital imaging suites, printmaking, photographic studios, green screen room, sound studio, animation studio and filmmaking/editing facilities.
BA (Hons) Theatre, Performance and Event Design Level 4 Design Studio
Established theatre design principles can be applied to many different situations and provide the core of this three year course.
Level 4 (Year 1) provides an introduction to the fundamental skills and methodologies of the designer, working primarily on studio-based projects as well as team-based designs. Modules include Theatre Design Principles, The Figure in Space, and The Performance, providing and overall perception and basic experience of the designer's role.
Victoire Benard, costume design, Level 4 2010/11
Collaborative puppetry performance, Level 4 2010/11
Collaborative paper installation, Level 4 2008/09
Level 5 (Year 2) broadens your experience of the designer's role, combining theory and experiment, work placement and live project initiatives within a broad spectrum of performace areas. Collaborations have included: Birmingham Royal Ballet; Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Merlin Leisure; Flatpack Film Festival; and Live Nation's Download Music Festival.
Showreel of music videos created by BA (Hons) Theatre, Performance and Event Design students 2010/11
Lily Ann Bedder's design for Merlin Entertainments and working at the internship she won with Merlin for that design, Level 5 2010/11
Natalie Hogan, opera set design, Level 5 2010/11
Download Music Festival student sculptures, Level 5 2011
Level 6 (Year 3) consolidates your personal practice, giving the opportunity to prepare and present a personal profile of creative design for degree assessment. This is assessed against professional standards of experimental and disciplined practice whilst retaining a vocational relevance throughout.
Samantha Cliff, short film, Level 6 2010/11
Lisa Williams, realised costume design, Level 6 2010/11
Melissa Faux, installation, Level 6 2010/11
Sophie Bold, exhibition design digital walkthrough, Level 6 2009/10
Kate Wragg, realised performance design in France, Level 6 2010/11
Community
A strong feeling of community pervades throughout all levels of the course. This is re-enforced through a variety of collaborative projects and the fact that students work together and develop friendships across all levels of the course.
Prague quadrennial visit, 2010/11
BA (Hons) Theatre, Performance and Event Design party, 2011
Theatre, Performance and Event Design Graduate Shows 2011
The structure and ethos of the course reflects the multi-disciplinary nature of the contemporary Performance Designer. Employment opportunities include theatre design, film, television, design for music, animation, event, exhibition design and a wide range of performance-related contexts.
We are interested in allowing you to discover your own personal direction within this ever expanding and exciting area of design.