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Skill Up in Theatre and Performance

‘Skill Up in Theatre and Performance’ is our programme for Year 12 students interested in finding out more about studying Theatre and Performance courses at university.

During our two-day campus experience on 26 and 27 March 2024, participants will experience life as an undergraduate Theatre and Performance student, and will be taking part in drama workshops delivered by academics from the School of Performance and Cultural Industries. Students will be learning about the breadth of career prospects available in the theatre industry and transferrable skills gained for a Theatre and Performance degree. All sessions will be hosted in the University’s contemporary performance space, stage@leeds.

They will also have the chance to get to know each other during our social activity and backstage tour at Leeds Playhouse, the largest producing theatre in the north.

Last year we had the best time with the students on Skill Up - it was such a enlightening experience for them to work directly with lecturers, specialists and industry professionals. I wish I'd had this opportunity when I was going to University, as I wouldn't have spent years trying to figure out what I wanted to do for my career!

- Amy Lancelot, Leeds Playhouse

Skill Up in Theatre and Performance programme and dates for your calendar

  • On-campus Taster Day - Tuesday 26th March, 09:15-15:30 (optional social activity at Leeds Playhouse 15:30-18:30)
  • On-campus Taster Day - Wednesday 27th March, 09:30-15:45

You will also be able to take part in online sessions following the event on topics such as study skills or UCAS personal statements.

Applications are now closed for 2024

Applications for Skill Up in Theatre and Performance are now closed.

You can find out more about how we use the data from your application in our privacy notice.

Skill Up in Theatre and Performance 2024

Here's a taster of some of the sessions and activities for our 2024 programme

Writing for Theatre

How do you create three dimensional characters for the modern stage? Take part in a series of creative exercises to help you think about ways a character might be imagined and developed. How might a character from classical Greek drama, Shakespeare or a European classic be adapted for the theatre and the screen today?

Explore writing with Dr Lekan Balogun, our lecturer in New Writing and Intercultural Performance, who has experience in writing and performing in multiple settings, across the world and for thousands of people.

Performing the Self: Identity and Transformation

In this lecture/seminar session Dr Jacki Willson will discuss the different ways we perform the self in everyday life. She will draw from her own research which focuses on costume and transformation in the world of burlesque and drag in order to give an insight into what this may tell us about our own identity.

As part of the session participants are asked to bring with them an item/photograph of clothing, accessories or costume and to come prepared to say something about why it's important to them.

Devised Theatre - Finding the 'moment'

Using a range of improvisation and ensemble techniques, this workshop will look at how theatre can be devised from play, spontaneity and joy. Through games, exercises and basic scene work, the workshop will provide useful starting points for creating theatre that starts from nothing

Matthew Elliott is a lecturer in Applied Performance and Global Challenges and is also a facilitator and director. He creates devised theatre with communities globally including the UK, Kenya, Uganda and Chile.

'Why Study Theatre?' talk and Ambassador Q&A

Wondering about careers available to Theatre graduates? Are you hesitating between drama school and university? Find out more about 'Why Study Theatre?' thanks to Steve Ansell, Artistic Director, Theatre and Production Manager at stage@leeds and Dr Alison Andrews, Lecturer in Experimental Performance Practice and Artistic Director of A Quiet Word.

After the talk, ask our Ambassadors any of your outstanding questions! Why did they apply to Leeds? Where did they live in their first year? What societies have they joined? They can tell you all about their experiences as a Theatre and Performance undergraduate, as well as share information about university in general.

As Head of School of Performance and Cultural Industries, I’m delighted to see our Skill Up in Theatre and Performance programme come together for 2023. There is no shortage of exciting things on offer, and the collaboration with Leeds Playhouse, a long-standing friend and partner of the school, just adds to that sense of excitement. We have been offering a version of this programme for a number of years now, and the participants are always so positive about the experiences they have had. It is also a great opportunity for our colleagues in the School to share their expertise and skills, with the next generation of theatre and performance artists and professionals.

- Professor Jonathan Pitches, Head of School of Performance and Cultural Industries

Studying in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries