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BA - Theatre Studies as a major

If you’re fascinated by the history and creative activities of humankind and how this shapes societies and our future, then a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is for you. Our graduates are in demand for their flexible skills, practical outlook and depth of understanding they bring to their roles.

A major in Theatre Studies at Waikato can be a rich and challenging pathway within an Arts degree. It has a wide range of vocational applications within the Performing Arts.  This suite of papers leads the student through processes of performance-making.

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Key information

Years: 3
Points: 360
Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): $6,591 - $7,608 per year
Estimated Fees* (International): $28,025 - $35,420 per year
Entry Requirements: Undergraduate International
Area of Study:
*Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.

Career opportunities

  • Actor
  • Arts Administrator
  • Director
  • Stage Manager
  • Teacher
  • Theatre Technician

Degree Planner

Degree planner — BA in Theatre Studies

Year 1

THSTS101
The Practice of Theatre

Any 100 level
paper listed below

One from List A

ARTSC110
Old Worlds - New Worlds

Field of the Degree
100 level

Field of the Degree
100 level

Elective

Elective

Year 2

Any 200 level
THTST paper

Any 200 level
THTST paper

Any 200 level
paper listed below

One from List B

Field of the Degree
200 level

Elective

Elective

Elective

Year 3

THSTS301
Play Production (30 points)

THSTS308
Creating Theatre (30 points)

One from List C

Elective

Elective

Elective

  • Major
  • Compulsory
  • Elective

The Theatre Studies Programme consists of papers that integrate practice and theory. The programme takes a practice-led approach to teaching and learning different aspects of theatre. We encourage students to explore and develop their performance practice, while thinking through what theatre does and can do in the world.

Theatre Studies is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA). Theatre Studies may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Theatre Studies as a single major for the BA, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Theatre Studies, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete THSTS101.

To complete Theatre Studies as part of a double major for the BA or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Theatre Studies, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete THSTS101.

To complete a minor in Theatre Studies, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Theatre Studies major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.

100 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
DANCE101Dance, Movement and Culture15.023B (Hamilton)
This paper provides practical experience with different forms of dance, an introduction to choreography, and a critical examination of how dance is influenced by societal and cultural issues.
ENGLI101Adapting Stories15.023B (Hamilton)
This paper explores the art of adaptation, examining the process of transformation that occurs when creative artists reimagine and retell stories in new ways and new media.
THSTS101The Practice of Theatre15.023A (Hamilton)
A practical/theory paper introducing theatre as an ongoing, integrated practice, deeply rooted in time and place. Through examining some of the major theatrical movements, viewing live and mediated performance and practical performance exercises, students engage with theatre as a living, growing practice.

200 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ENGLI202Shakespeare's Worlds15.023C (Hamilton)
This paper explores Shakespeare's worlds in performance and in print, examining his plays and poems in the context of the dynamic cultural outputs from many other Renaissance artists.
THSTS212Developing Text and Action15.023B (Hamilton)
This paper develops performance and writing for performance skills. Using techniques based on contemporary/postdramatic methods in theatre and performance, students will engage with the creation and performance of new theatrical work, leading to performance assessment.
THSTS260Exploring the Physical in Theatre15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper charts the use of the term 'physical theatre', providing an overview of the areas of debate in the field. Workshops are contextualised by theoretical readings exploring the landscape from which the term emerged.
WRITE202Creative Writing: Voice and Image15.023B (Hamilton)
This course explores the basic elements of imaginative writing - image and voice - concentrating the student's attention on the central writing practices of 'seeing' and 'saying.'

300 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ALPSS390Directed Study15.023X (Hamilton)
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
THSTS301Play Production30.023A (Hamilton)
This paper develops the relationship between a conceptual and a pragmatic understanding of theatre by mounting a play for public performance. Students form an ensemble group and contribute to all aspects of the production process; research, rehearsal, props, marketing.
THSTS308Creating Theatre30.023B (Hamilton)
A practical paper, supported by theory and research, which utilises performance techniques to develop, devise and create a public performance at the end of the semester. Students will contribute to all aspects of the production process.

500 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ALPSS590Directed Study30.023X (Hamilton)
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
THSTS560Special Topic: Applied Performance Practice30.023A (Hamilton)
This paper introduces the nature, contexts and purposes of applied performance practice. Students will explore how performance practices can be used as a tool for critical enquiry, empowerment and social change.
THSTS561Special Topic30.023B (Hamilton)
No description available.
THSTS591Dissertation30.023A (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
THSTS592Dissertation60.023X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
THSTS593Theatre Studies Thesis90.023X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
THSTS594Theatre Studies Thesis120.023X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

800 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
THSTS800Theatre Studies MPhil Thesis120.023X (Hamilton)
No description available.

900 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
THSTS900Theatre Studies PhD Thesis120.023I (Hamilton), 23J (Hamilton), 23K (Hamilton) & 23X (Hamilton)
No description available.
THSTS901Theatre Studies Creative Practice PhD Thesis120.023I (Hamilton), 23J (Hamilton), 23K (Hamilton) & 23X (Hamilton)
No description available.

Scholarships and prizes

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Subject links

For more information about subject requirements, please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice, contact one of our friendly student advisors on phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080 or email: [email protected]

Please note: For all graduate subject requirements, check the information provided in the papers section above.

Contacts

School of Arts
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4922
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]