Dance and Contemporary Circus MA

The MA Dance and Choreography is a practical MA that allows a dance artist to create work supported by their own research and tutor guidance. It provides a fantastic opportunity for artists to further their practice within this growing field and be at the forefront of sector development.

Course description

This postgraduate course in Dance and Choreography is a fantastic opportunity for Dance Artists to further their practice and be at the forefront of sector development. The MA is designed to guide and nurture those with a keen interest and skill in choreographing, providing a space in which you can push your creative boundaries and generate new and innovative work. Artists will have the opportunity to tap into regional, national and international networks and have access to an exceptional body of infrastructure and resources. Key areas that will be covered include:

• Narrative Development and Dramaturgy – the outside eye
• Role/involvement of the audience in a work (the fourth wall and when/how/what happens when you break it)
• The unique challenges of making work for indoor and outdoor contexts
• Funding landscape and opportunities
• Partnerships – who to develop them with and how to establish them
• Developing commissions
• Basics of health and safety in relation to the field (safe working practices/risk assessments/rigging).

This MA is the result of Déda's and the University of Derby’s recognition of the need to create a postgraduate course which reflects the growing trend within the Dance and Contemporary Circus sectors of artists exploring and blending each other’s practice. Artists are naturally fusing the two forms and there is a need in the UK to create academic resources as is happening in mainland Europe including Sweden and Netherlands.

Students who complete this programme will be able to produce their own work and have a wider network to allow themselves to further their work as choreographers and dancers. You will be pioneers in this field and it is therefore anticipated that you will either have your own companies or undertake commissions for work from other parties. Aside from generating your own work, you will also have the ability to be Creative Directors, Movement Directors and have the chance to produce papers discussing your specific area of choreography.