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.
Career opportunities
- Actor
- Arts Administrator
- Director
- Stage Manager
- Teacher
- Theatre Technician
Qualifications
Study Theatre Studies in any of these qualifications
Papers
Papers available within this subject
100 level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ARTSC110 | Old Worlds - New Worlds | 18A (Hamilton) |
| This multi-disciplinary paper offers students a rich context in which to develop arts-based reading, writing and research skills. It is structured around stories of cultural encounter and journeys through place and time, and focuses on a variety of printed and electronic texts, moving and still images, and sound. The paper is deliv... | ||
| ARTSC111 | Social Science Theory and Action | 18B (Hamilton) & 18B (Tauranga) |
| This paper introduces University of Waikato social scientists as researchers. Each presenters research will be discussed to demonstrate how it illustrates key themes of the social sciences and their specific disciplines. | ||
| DANCE101 | Dance, Movement and Culture | 18B (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. | ||
| ENGLI101 | Adaptations | 18A (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. | ||
| INTLC101 | International Languages and Cultures | 18A (Hamilton) |
| A cultural perspectives paper with a thematic focus on China, France, Japan, Spain and Latin America | ||
| THSTS101 | On Stage: Staging Theatre | 18A (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 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLI202 | Shakespeare's Worlds | 18B (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. | ||
| MUSIC226 | Music Theatre | This paper will not be taught in 2018. |
| This paper will not be taught in 2018. | ||
| THSTS202 | Theatre Workshop | 18B (Hamilton) |
| An advanced theoretical and practical study of contemporary performance, the work of leading contemporary theatre practitioners and actor training methodologies. | ||
| THSTS212 | Stage Performance: Techniques for Actors and Performers | 18B (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. | ||
| THSTS260 | Exploring the Physical in Theatre | 18A (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 |
|---|---|---|
| CRPC300 | Social Practices and Creative Technologies: Advanced | 18C (Hamilton) |
| Students complete collaborative community-based projects using appropriate creative practices and technologies and reflect critically on the process and impact, while exploring social practices as advanced forms of research. | ||
| SPLS308 | Performing Dance | 18A (Hamilton) |
| An advanced study of choreography and production that culminates in a formal public dance performance. | ||
| THST302 | Theatre Workshop | This paper will not be taught in 2018. |
| This paper will not be taught in 2018. | ||
| THST360 | Special Topic | This paper will not be taught in 2018. |
| This paper will not be taught in 2018. | ||
| THST390 | Directed Study | 18A (Hamilton) & 18B (Hamilton) |
| Students may nominate a field of study and proceed to cover it by their own reading and research under the personal direction of an appropriate staff member. Note: Admission is subject to the availability of supervision and is at the discretion of the programme convenor. | ||
| THSTS301 | Play Production | 18A (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. | ||
| THSTS308 | Creating Theatre | 18B (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. | ||
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.
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| THST544 | Directing for Theatre | 18Y (Hamilton) |
| Through a structured reading programme and practical directing exercises, the paper obliges a close study of the many factors which influence the creation of a theatre performance. The paper also explores the development of the role of the director by studying the works of major directors and theatre practice theorists over a range... | ||
| THST545 | Theatre Anthropology: The Art of the Performer | This paper will not be taught in 2018. |
| This paper will not be taught in 2018. | ||
| THST546 | Laboratory Theatre | This paper will not be taught in 2018. |
| This paper will not be taught in 2018. | ||
| THST560 | Special Topic: Applied Theatre | 18C (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. | ||
| THST561 | Special Topic | This paper will not be taught in 2018. |
| This paper will not be taught in 2018. | ||
| THST590 | Directed Study | 18A (Hamilton) & 18B (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | ||
| THST591 | Dissertation | 18C (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| THST592 | Dissertation | 18C (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| THST593 | Theatre Studies Thesis | 18C (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| THST594 | Theatre Studies Thesis | 18C (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
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.
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| THST800 | Theatre Studies MPhil Thesis | 18C (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
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.
Subject links
Subject Requirements
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