SHAPE YOUR FUTURE. BA (Hons) Comedy: Performance and Production

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1 SHAPE YOUR FUTURE BA (Hons) Comedy: Performance and Production Comedy CL update.indd 1 25/08/ :36

2 Shape your future study at Winchester Here are our top three reasons to choose the University of Winchester: Top for teaching excellence We are proud to be ranked 10th in England for teaching excellence 1 Great for your career Over 94 per cent of our students are in work or further study within six months of completing their course 2 A beautiful place to live Join us in the beautiful city of Winchester rated as the best place to live in the UK 3. Our attractive, modern campus is just a 10 minute walk from the city centre. 1 The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2013/14 3 The Sunday Times Best Place to Live Guide Comedy CL update.indd 2 25/08/ :36

3 BA (Hons) Comedy: Performance and Production Comedy: Performance and Production at Winchester offers a highly practical, dynamic and exciting programme which has its fingertips on the pulse of today s comedy. The programme is targeted at students who are: Passionate about creating, writing and performing comedy Creative, risk-taking and ready to learn through facing challenges Excited about discovering the potential of comedy The programme explores the exciting variety of comedy forms from Shakespeare to stand-up, from clowning to creative writing, and includes studying the history and theory of comedy. Students focus on both group and solo comedy and study a broad range of comedy genres. To help students reach their goals, we have state of the art studio, rehearsal and performance spaces. Students on the programme have the opportunity to create, produce, think about, discuss and critique a wide range of professional performances and comedy events. To support this we bring in visiting professionals to give practical workshops and talks. The programme has built strong relationships with local venues including The Point in Eastleigh and the Theatre Royal Winchester. Increasingly, student performances are produced at these venues. Students also have the opportunity to attend the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August with staff and students from across the Department of Performing Arts. Course overview Students receive around 12 hours of contact time per week which includes practical workshops, lectures, seminars and individual tutorials. From the beginning of the programme the student is the creator of their own comedy work. Whilst the course is focussed on practice there are theory modules in which students are introduced to comedians and companies working in the field of comedy. In addition, students must organise their own studying and find time for solo and group rehearsals, performances and reading. Throughout the three years of study, students gradually become independent learners, choosing to study the areas of comedy which interest them most Comedy CL update.indd 1 25/08/ :36

4 BA (Hons) Comedy: Performance and Production Modules Year 1 Core modules Histories and Contexts Making Comic Traditions Writing for Comedy Year 2 Core modules Dramaturgy: Analysis and Creative Development Popular Performance Stand-up Students then select three optional modules from the following list: Digital Performance Puppetry and Object Manipulation Physical Theatres Open Project Musical Theatre in the UK and USA Immersive Performance Contemporary Cultural Heritage Transcultural Practices Volunteering In Year 2, students study a number of different critical and reflective methodologies in viewing, analysing and creating comedy. Students then focus on a module in which they create a standup performance. The third core module is about experimenting with a range of popular forms of comedy for example, variety, clowning, commedia dell arte, circus. Students are then given the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules. This wide range of options is designed so that comedy students are encouraged to develop and pursue their own particular interests within the broad field of comedy. Year 3 Core modules Performance Now: Debates and Discourses Creative Entrepreneurship and Production Collaborative Project Internship Students must pick one of the two following modules: Extended Independent Study (Dissertation) Extended Independent Study (Portfolio) In Year 3, students explore a number of debates around issues in comedy and performance practice in the Performance Now: Debates and Practices module and have the opportunity to develop organisational, CV writing and business planning skills in Cultural Entrepreneurship and Production. Students then spend the majority of the year taking two other modules to take part in a collaborative comedy performance or to take a professional internship. Finally, all students undertake the Extended Independent Study an independent study on a topic which students are passionate about. Comedy students may negotiate to present it as a performance, although students may also opt to present it as a dissertation of 8,000-10,000 words, or as shorter dissertation with a practical performance. Please note the University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. For full module summaries please visit Comedy CL update.indd 2 25/08/ :36

5 BA (Hons) Comedy: Performance and Production Learning and teaching Students are expected to research through performance and wider reading. Students write essays, analyse performances, write critical journals and give oral presentations of their ideas. Help in essay writing is given and some modules ask for drafts of essays before the writing up, to identify areas which can be improved. What kind of performance will students make? At Winchester, Comedy is about the performer as creator and producer of their own work. We are interested in students who are keen to make their own exciting and contemporary comedy. These could be performances of many kinds using the body, voice or digital technologies, in a theatre, a cabaret, a comedy club, a site-specific location. We do not study comedy texts just to perform them but we may use a text as a starting point for devising and writing comedy. They may also use a piece of music, an image, an event, a short story or an environment. shown publically at venues in the region. Student performance has also been entered into the National Student Drama Festival. Teaching team Dr Richard Cuming is a performer, director, deviser and teacher whose specialism is in physical and visual performance and the synthesis of different forms, including clown and popular performance. Stephen Hall is an actor, writer and director, as well as a consultant to the creative and cultural industries. His teaching and research is focused on popular forms of theatre and performance. Janet Lee is a physical theatre performer and puppeteer whose specialist areas are Physical and Visual Theatre. She has directed for and performed with Strange Arrangements for the past 10 years as well as collaborating with Australian puppetry company Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. There are societies such as Performing Arts Winchester (PAW) which regularly presents plays and musicals at the University, so students may do this outside the curriculum. In addition, student work is selected to be John Lee is Artistic Director of Fuse Performance and a consultant to companies such as Kneehigh Theatre Company. He has toured in over 35 countries as a performer and street artist Comedy CL update.indd 3 25/08/ :36

6 BA (Hons) Comedy: Performance and Production with the British Council and is Co-founder of the first Circus School in Britain. Bernard McKenna has been a comedy scriptwriter, producer and actor for TV and film. He co-wrote with Monty Python s Graham Chapman and played several parts in Monty Python s Life of Brian. He has written hundreds of half hour comedies and has also produced three TV series. He co-wrote and appeared in several of John Cleese s comedy training films. He has recently finished writing a seriously funny feature length screenplay. Steve Solloway is a flautist and composer. His specialist academic interests are in soundscape, music improvisation and composition. Dr Olu Taiwo teaches both dance and performance in a virtual setting and has a background in Fine Art. He is an actor, dancer and drummer. Assessment Students study a combination of practice and theory through practical classes and workshops, lectures, seminars and tutorials. Individual and group performances are assessed as well as written work. Written work takes the form of essays, portfolios of work, websites and journals. Much of the written work is posted directly online. Careers Comedy students go into a range of careers. Many students become independent comedians or set up their own companies after graduating. Some students audition for postgraduate training in drama schools, go into teacher training or continue onto further postgraduate study such as an MA, PhD or Doctor of Creative Arts. Other students go into community work (for example, one former student is the Education Officer for the English Touring Theatre). Graduates go into other careers in the creative industries and business where they are in demand for their creative thinking and confidence in public speaking. Contact us Course Enquiries and Applications Telephone: +44 (0) course.enquiries@winchester.ac.uk Comedy CL update.indd 4 25/08/ :36

7 Fact File BA (Hons) Comedy Performance and Production Typical offer: 2017 entry: points* Selection process: Suitable applicants are required to attend an interview UCAS code: W470 Degree duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time Tuition fees: Full-time UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: 27,000 total ( 9,000 p/a) Full-time International students: 33,900 total ( 11,300 p/a) Part-time costs and any additional costs associated with this programme are detailed at Additional costs: Additional costs per year of approximately 100 to cover trips, books and materials. To find out what general costs are included or excluded in the course fees, such as textbooks and travel expenses, visit Study abroad (optional): USA Location: Taught elements of the course take place on the King Alfred Campus or at West Downs, Winchester Suitable for applicants from: UK, EU, World If English is not your first language: Students are required to have achieved a minimum of IELTS 6.0 (including 6.0 in writing) or equivalent. Learning activities Yr Yr Yr % time in lectures, seminars and similar % time in independent study % time on placement Method of assessment Yr Yr Yr % written exams % coursework % practical exams *Entry requirements correct at time of print. For up-to-date entry requirements please visit the website at For more information about the modules listed in this leaflet, and how data is calculated, please visit For full terms and conditions, please visit Comedy CL update.indd 5 25/08/ :36

8 Join us at Winchester STEP 1 Read the prospectus STEP 2 Choose your course of interest STEP 3 Enjoy exploring Winchester at an Open Day It s now time to submit your application form! STEP 4 Apply to Winchester via UCAS ( from mid-september STEP 5 We review your application and make a decision within 2-3 weeks of you applying (some courses may require an interview) STEP 6 We hope to offer you a place at Winchester this may be a conditional offer or an unconditional offer if you have already met our entry requirements STEP 7 Attend an Applicant Open Day in spring to help you choose your firm (first) and insurance (second) choice STEP 8 Once you have accepted our offer you can apply for University housing STEP 9 In August, we receive your results and, subject to meeting our offer, your place is confirmed STEP 10 Read your Welcome Pack containing all the information you need in advance of your arrival We look forward to welcoming you to Winchester! University of Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR T: +44 (0) E: course.enquiries@winchester.ac.uk 05907/08/ Comedy CL update.indd 6 25/08/ :36