
Drama and Theatre Arts, University of Birmingham
One of the best of the established British university drama departments, consistently rated amongst https://linktr.ee/BirminghamDrama
The Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at Birmingham enjoys a highly respected national and international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. This page keeps all students- past, present and future- and those interested in the department, up to date with events and productions within the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at The University of Birmingham as well as providing an accessible hub for our students to communicate, interact, publicise events and discuss.
Operating as usual


Last week our final year undergrads in the Emilia cast got their first look at the scenic design for the show! We’re loving all the books and the ink blot on the floor. 📚 🪜 📚
Emilia runs 31st Oct - 2nd Nov, tickets £8/5. All the details in the link in our bio.

📣🖼️📚
Check out this special and insightful exhibition, curated by our colleague Dr Caroline Radcliffe with archival material from the Cadbury Research Library.
"Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins: Writing, Performance, Image."
1 July 2024 to 12 January 2025, Main Library atrium, University of Birmingham. Link to online version below. Free admission.
The exhibition celebrates the 200th anniversary of Wilkie Collins’s birth and welcomes the 29th Annual Dickens Society Symposium to the University of Birmingham by showcasing rare books and manuscripts relating to Collins and his friend and mentor, Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870).
Dickens took on the role of literary mentor to the up-and-coming, younger writer and their shared passion for drama united them. Their fellow amateur actors were drawn from a close circle of writers and artists, many of whom illustrated the authors’ works. The items on display reveal the close connection of the writers’ works to the Victorian theatre and demonstrate the importance of the illustrated image in realising both the written and performed text and feature unique Dickens holographs relating to one of his performances in Birmingham. The exhibition is also available on online.
Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins: Writing, Performance, Image Curated by Dr. Caroline Radcliffe, Reader in Drama and Performance, Department of Drama and Theatre Arts, University of Birmingham. Original material shown here is on display in the Main Library atrium, University of Birmingham, from 1 July 2024 to 12 January 2025. Text below is reproduced from the....

Diverse & discerning: Research improves understanding of live immersive experience audiences.
The Immersive Audience Report 2024 has found that audiences who are attending immersive experiences are more representative of the UK population than those of ‘traditional’ arts and culture.
The report, which is published today (Tuesday 25th June), is the first comprehensive mapping of live/location-based immersive experience audiences in the UK.
Read more about The Immersive Audience Report 2024 - led by DTA colleague & co-founder of Dr. Joanna Bucknall.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our subject stands to talk all things Drama with us, to those who attended our subject talks and taster lectures, and the visitors who came down to tour our theatre space. We hope you all got a feel for what’s on offer for you here , and enjoyed the ☀️!
❓ Any questions please get in touch
🗓️ Missed us this time? Next open days- 5th Oct & 9th Nov- link in bio!

After seeing production of "Merry Wives of Windsor" yesterday evening and a second day of workshops, that brings our Stratford residential to a close. Huge thanks to Shazia Nicholls and Ian Hughes (who happens to be a ) for giving us their insight into the production process as cast members, and to Blanche McIntyre for sharing her wisdom as the director.
And of course, a special thanks to RSC Associate Leaning Practitioner Roberta Zuric for facilitating two thoroughly fun and creatively/intellectually stimulating days!

🎭 Day one of our Stratford upon Avon residential with is in full swing! Our students are having a blast getting their teeth into "Merry Wives of Windsor".

🎉 Congratulations to all our brilliant undergraduates in Drama and Theatre Arts who completed their final practical assessments today!
🎭 We’re so very proud of you all, and loved seeing such a variety of work - scenic and costume design portfolios, 1-2-1 immersive work, promenade performances, playscripts, stage management, physical theatre and more. We can’t wait to begin celebrating properly with you all on Wednesday!
🎟️ A huge thank you to all our audiences who attended over the last two days.
📷 Lots of images of the work to follow next week - once we’ve all caught our breath!

You can now watch Professor Adam Ledger's Inaugural lecture: 'A turn: memory, craft, and hope', which took place on Thursday 2 May at The Exchange.
In this lecture, Adam Ledger thinks both forwards and backwards. And sometimes glances aside. Metaphorically looking around whilst being invited to stand still for a professional moment, he draws upon a long-term interest in the detail of theatre making, and especially directing and acting, to (re)consider how it is he knows what he knows and, importantly, from whom he has learnt and continues to learn. The account suggests the value of memory and considers where skill - and even expertise - may lie. And where it may be heading. In an age of neoliberalism, the shallowness of media, and pervasive anxiety, thus this ‘turn’ may also be a shared moment to give voice to the value of craft, the necessity of others, and the hope of the creative encounter.
Professor Adam Ledger on memory and craft in drama | Inaugural lecture | University of Birmingham Professor Adam Ledger Inaugural LectureIn this lecture, Adam Ledger thinks both forwards and backwards. And sometimes glances aside. Metaphorically looking a...

All DTA staff and students are invited to come along to GCH on Wednesday the 29th May at 3pm and celebrate the end of assessments - with the chance to see the short play ‘We Conspire to be Happy’ written, performed and produced by students in the department.
This is followed by the chance to come together for some food*, drinks and music. Keep an eye on emails for a sign up so we can gauge numbers to cater for!
*Yes, on this occasion you can eat and drink *in* the theatre- Linda 😃

⚠️📢
Next week, as a culmination of the academic year, we will have a special showcase featuring the work of our 3rd year DTA students on the practice as research module 'Practical Project in Drama' and live art works by our MA students on 'Performing the Political Body'.
The work will include live performances, design projects, installations, interactive experiences, and play scripts.
You are all welcome to come along to enjoy these works and celebrate our students' achievements.
🗓️ Thursday 23 & Friday 24 May 2024
🕑 11am - 12.30pm & 3pm - 4.30pm
📍 Various locations across the Selly Oak campus. Please come to George Cadbury Hall to start your visit

Here are some pictures of yesterday evening's live art event by our 3rd year students. The work presented included one off performances, installations, one-to-one experiences, and durational works. Unfortunately given the nature and set-up of the work we were not able document every piece, but these images should give you a flavour.
Thank you to all the lovely audience members who came!
Featured:
'The Paradox' by Eleanor Wright
'લુત (dough) and learning' by Haleemah Farooki
'Duel' by Aimee Gebhard
'You Cant Tell Me I'm Human (in space)' by Rebecca Kibuuka
'Coexist' by Lana Donovan
'A portion of time' by Libby Hood
'Made in His Image' by Victoria Anthony
'It's Only One Night' by Isabella Ashley

A reminder that next Thursday is Professor Adam Ledger's Inaugural lecture on Theatre: 'Making and the importance of giving a voice to the value of craft.'
🗓️ Thurs 2 May
🕕 6-7pm
📍 The Exchange, Birmingham
🔗 Register for this free lecture now: https://shorturl.at/pGI05
In this lecture, Adam Ledger thinks both forwards and backwards. And sometimes glances aside. Metaphorically looking around whilst being invited to stand still for a professional moment, he draws upon a long-term interest in the detail of theatre making, and especially directing and acting, to (re)consider how it is he knows what he knows and, importantly, from whom he has learnt and continues to learn. The account suggests the value of memory and considers where skill - and even expertise - may lie. And where it may be heading. In an age of neoliberalism, the shallowness of media, and pervasive anxiety, thus this ‘turn’ may also be a shared moment to give voice to the value of craft, the necessity of others, and the hope of the creative encounter.
Inaugural lectures are a landmark in academic life, held on the appointment of new professorships. Join us to learn more about the work of Professor Adam Ledger.
The lecture will be from 18:00 to 19:00, followed by a drinks reception.
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SOVAC (The Old Library), 998 Bristol Road, Selly Oak
Birmingham
B296LG