MA Contemporary Performance Practice

University of Salford

Live performance is an important tool in understanding, reflecting on and making sense of the world we live in. Our MA Contemporary Performance Practice is a practical course that will introduce you to a range of approaches and concepts, which are vital to making live performance in, and in response to, the world today. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge to function in contemporary performance environments, as a performer, maker, collaborative practitioner and researcher.

Using the live performance-making facilities at New Adelphi and MediaCityUK, this course also provides the professional skills you need to function as a practitioner in the wider creative industries. As well as specialist performance skills and knowledge, you’ll develop a number of transferrable skills that can be applied to a wide variety of careers.

This course allows you to extend and develop your skills by working across disciplines, mirroring working environments in the creative industries. You’ll develop the ability to think dynamically, act originally, collaborate and function effectively in creative workplaces, making use of theoretical concepts, creative practice and real-world skills.

Through your core modules and final project, you’ll also develop your own approach to contemporary performance. You’ll finish this course by creating a significant piece of work which can be used as part of your portfolio as you transition into a professional setting.

You will:

• Explore cutting-edge practices and approaches to contemporary performance in a multi-discipline, research-focused environment, where you can experiment creatively.
• Perform and research in professional facilities at MediaCityUK and the New Adelphi Arts Centre.
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant arts and performance scene in Salford and Manchester.
• Gain employability-boosting transferrable skills that can be used in a variety of careers.

EMPLOYMENT

Upon completing an MA in Contemporary Performance Practice, you’ll be able to work in a range of environments from the cultural sector to future media. This could include roles in interactive design and production, small scale touring productions, venue-based and independent producing and programming, theatre-making, performing and writing, as well as community arts practice.

People in the field of contemporary performance can work across a wide range of areas of creative design and application. This ranges from traditional arts settings to the fields of interactive design and new media production. Contemporary performance experts have a broad set of skills from devising and composition, to technical design, production management, programming, script-development, video editing, and post-production skills.

Potential employers include arts venues and organisations, educational providers and film companies. Skills used in contemporary performance, such as independent and collaborative problem solving, coming up with and developing ideas, and following creative briefs, can be used in a wide variety of settings. Graduates will also be well-equipped to pursue careers as individual, self-employed practitioners.

CAREER LINKS

The programme has links with the following organisations and begins each year with a creative intensive, led by a key contemporary performance practitioner:

• The Lowry Arts Centre
• HOME
• Contact Theatre
• Blast Theory
• Darkfield
• Hydrocracker
• Imitating the Dog
• Quarantine
• Reckless Sleepers