MA Performance: Politics and Philosophy

Course overview

The MA Performance: Politics and Philosophy course offers a distinct focus on the inter-relationship between politics and aesthetics. It foregrounds socially and politically engaged practices and methods of enquiry.

Performance at Wimbledon is approached through questions of ethics, politics, and philosophy as well as specific modes of practice. The course asks you to examine these questions through practical investigation, cultural intervention, and aesthetic experimentation. You will approach performance, politics, and philosophy primarily as practices of active doing and making rather than simply a site of speculative thinking.

The course invites you to re-imagine the possibilities of theatre and performance as an expanded field. You will be encouraged to think critically about your performance-making and theatre-thinking. You will be asked to place it in the context of contemporary political culture and social and climate justice.

The course will encourage you to become a confident and articulate artist, activist, and researcher. It aims to provide fertile ground for the formation of new performance companies and collectives.

Assessment methods

• Critical and creative portfolios
• Essays
• Live presentations - pitches, proposals, papers
• Performance interventions
• Scenario planning
• Performed and digital essays
• Process workbooks and reflective journals
• Ensemble contribution and reflective analysis
• Project proposals, plans and reports
• Written and performed dissertations

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are BA (Hons) degree in either performance or art and design-related disciplines, including social and other sciences or engineering, alternative qualifications and experience will also be taken into consideration, personal statement, portfolio of work. Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work and personal statement.