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Theatre Studies

A major in Theatre Studies at Waikato is a rich and challenging pathway to an arts degree with a wide range of vocational applications. Explore performance, and learn about the evolution of theatre and the creation of performance works.

Waikato's Theatre Studies programme takes a theory-through-practice approach to teaching and learning the art of theatre. We take the live encounter of a theatre performance as our starting point, encouraging you to explore and extend your own dramatic practice.

Many papers in the programme provide opportunities for the practical study of performance, while others examine the theories that have shaped and informed theatre over the ages. Two papers have public performances at their core, with the study process mirroring the creative process of page-to-stage, or idea-to-stage, that results in the performance. You'll learn about, and potentially add to, New Zealand's rich array of theatrical forms, established and traditional, and new and experimental.

Practical tutorials, seminars and rehearsals take place the theatre laboratory space, the New Place Theatre/Te Tapere Hou, and the Playhouse Theatre within the University's purpose-built Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, which is also the venue for public performances.

Careers for Theatre Studies graduates include employment within community and professional theatres, local arts councils, schools, film production companies, and arts agencies such as Creative New Zealand and New Zealand On Air.

Apply to enrol

Key information

Study Locations: Hamilton
Faculty:

Study Theatre Studies in these qualifications

Theatre Studies as a specialisation of

Career opportunities

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

Prescriptions for the GradCert(TheatSt) and GradDip(TheatSt)

A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Theatre Studies at an advanced level in their first degree.

For further details, contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Office.

Prescriptions for the PGCert(TheatSt), PGDip(TheatSt), BA(Hons) and MA

To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in graduate Theatre Studies papers, a student should normally have at least a B average in the best three of their 300 level Theatre Studies papers. Honours students will be required to complete a minimum of 90 points from THST coded papers.

To complete a BA(Hons) in Theatre Studies, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally THST591) and at least 60 points from THST coded papers listed for Theatre Studies. The following papers are considered complementary to the Theatre Studies BA(Hons) programme: ENGL502 and MUSI502.

To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA in Theatre Studies, a student should have completed either:

a) a BA with a major in Theatre Studies (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ grade average either in the best three of their 300 level Theatre Studies papers or all of their undergraduate Theatre Studies papers, or

b) a BA(Hons) in Theatre Studies (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ average across all 500 level papers.

Completion requirements for the MA in Theatre Studies vary according to admission criteria:

Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including a research foundations paper, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.

Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.

Prescriptions for the MPhil

The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

Prescriptions for the PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

100 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
ARTSC110Old Worlds - New Worlds19A (Hamilton) & 19A (Tauranga)
This cross-disciplinary paper offers students with a rich background for study within the Bachelor of Arts. It is structured around metaphors of journey and cultural encounter and focuses on a variety of texts, images and sounds.
ARTSC111Social Science Theory and Action19A (Hamilton) & 19A (Tauranga)
This paper introduces University of Waikato social scientists as researchers. Each presenter's research will be discussed to demonstrate how it illustrates key themes of the social sciences and their specific disciplines.
DANCE101Dance, Movement and Culture19B (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.
ENGLI101Adaptations19B (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.
INTLC101International Languages and Cultures19A (Hamilton)
A cultural perspectives paper with a thematic focus on China, France, Japan, Spain and Latin America
THSTS101On Stage: Staging Theatre19A (Hamilton)
A practical/theory paper examining significant theatre styles through a study of current theatre productions including local and globally screened 'live' productions. The tutorial workshops develop theatre protocols, concepts introduced in lectures and include group theatre exercises.

200 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
ENGLI202Shakespeare's Worlds19B (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.
MUSIC226Music Theatre19T (Hamilton)
This course provides a historical overview of British and American musical theatre and an introduction to the production processes and stagecraft associated with musicals, combined with practical exploration of a variety of singing, acting and dancing styles.
THSTS202Theatre Workshop19B (Hamilton)
An advanced theoretical and practical study of contemporary performance, the work of leading contemporary theatre practitioners and actor training methodologies.
THSTS212Theory and Practice of Contemporary Play Texts19B (Hamilton)
A mixed practical and theoretical paper, designed to develop a stronger awareness and knowledge of rehearsal and stage performance protocols and proven performance techniques based on selected practitioners. Students prepare and perform monologues, scenes, songs for critique and feedback.
THSTS260Exploring the Physical in Theatre19A (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.

300 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
THSTS301Play Production19A (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 Theatre19B (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.
THSTS390Directed Study19A (Hamilton) & 19B (Hamilton)
This paper offers students the opportunity to undertake advanced research on a specific topic within Theatre Studies.

500 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
THSTS544Embodiment and Performance19Y (Hamilton)
Advanced practical and theoretical study of interdisciplinary perspectives on embodiment and performance for theatre studies and dance as this paper will combine graduate studies in theatre and dance.
THSTS560Special Topic: Applied Theatre19C (Hamilton)
This paper introduces the nature, contexts and purposes of applied theatre practice. Students will explore how theatre can be used as a tool for critical enquiry, empowerment and social change.
THSTS561Special Topic19B (Hamilton)
No description available.
THSTS590Directed Study19A (Hamilton) & 19B (Hamilton)
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
THSTS591Dissertation19C (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
THSTS592Dissertation19C (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
THSTS593Theatre Studies Thesis19C (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
THSTS594Theatre Studies Thesis19C (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

800 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
THSTS800Theatre Studies MPhil Thesis19C (Hamilton)
No description available.

900 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
THST901Theatre Studies Creative Practice PhD Thesis19C (Hamilton)
No description available.
THSTS900Theatre Studies PhD Thesis19C (Hamilton)
No description available.

Jenna Hudson Growing up in a house with no siblings, Jenna Hudson was a self-proclaimed drama queen and attention seeker. “I had to make my own entertainment so I would create my own radio stations with different voices by recording songs onto cassettes and recording voice overs to introduce them.”

Jenna Hudson Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diploma of Teaching

Read stories from other students

Scholarships and prizes

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

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Subject links

Theatre Studies Programme

Theatre Studies is available as a major for the BA. Theatre Studies may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.

To complete a major in Theatre Studies, students must gain 120 points above 100 level in Theatre Studies, including at least 60 points above 200 level. CRPC200, ENGL202, MUSI226, SPLS214, CRPC300, and SPLS308 may be counted towards a major in Theatre Studies.

Note: Candidates must gain at least 60 points at 100 level, including 45 points in any subject(s) and 15 points in Theatre Studies papers before enrolling in Theatre Studies papers above 100 level, and at least 90 points at 100 and 200 level before enrolling in Theatre Studies papers above 200 level.

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

Documents

Contacts

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4922
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: thst-fass@waikato.ac.nz
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: thst-grad@waikato.ac.nz