Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama)

Overview

• The most comprehensive undergraduate drama program in Queensland
• Develop skills in applied theatre, directing and collaborative production
• Learn how to plan, fund and produce live events
• Undertake a major production each year, guided by experienced directors and industry professionals

Details

You love drama. You love everything about it. You love performing it and you love making it, writing, directing, organising and collaborating. You know drama has the capacity to change people's lives because it has changed yours. Now you want to have the skills, knowledge and connections to create, present, promote and teach; to have the chance of a professional life with people who are as passionate as you to share the excitement of live performance.

Why choose this course?

If you are interested in exploring practical careers in directing, designing, teaching, devising, creative producing and administration, or performing in a range of experimental theatre forms, then this course is for you. The course offers flexibility and breadth, combining creative experiences in performance making with highly relevant theoretical studies that will connect you with contemporary performance both nationally and globally.

You will be taught by a range of industry professionals whose expertise and passion will inspire and guide you, and who in future years may become your mentors and colleagues. You will find yourself collaborating with talented students and the creative relationships you develop will establish the professional networks you will be drawing on throughout your career.

Upon entering this course, you will be a performance maker from week one. From second year you will take a range of elective subjects to build skills in complementary areas, choosing from other disciplines in the Creative Industries Faculty which may include film, TV and new media, creative writing, visual arts, or music, to name a few.

This course can be followed with a graduate-entry teacher education course, which enables you to become a qualified teacher.

Previous graduates have had a dynamic impact on the development of the Australian creative industries sector and our most recent graduates are at the heart of the exciting growth in the independent theatre sector in Australia.

Career outcomes

As a multiskilled graduate you will seek to complement your artistic career with paid employment in related areas. Graduates work as event coordinators, festival organisers and administrators. Some establish companies with other graduates to create work for the independent theatre sector. Graduates have established successful careers as playwrights, artistic directors, directors, designers or performers working across a variety of genres including physical theatre or music. Pathways exist to prepare you for further study including honours.

Units

Your course

Year 1

Your first year is strongly practical, with classes, workshops and an end-of-year production. You will investigate different aspects of theatre history, develop performance skills and will learn how to lead drama workshops in theatre, educational and corporate contexts.

Year 2

Your practical skills and conceptual understanding will be extended in the areas of devised performance and theatre in community contexts. You will develop your understanding of the Australian theatre context, its history and plays. Units in event and festival management are also available. You will begin your elective studies, choosing a second major and/or minors and/or a second teaching area (if you are on the teaching pathway) from creative industries or other QUT areas, allowing you to tailor this course to your vocational interests.

Year 3

In your final year there is an emphasis on your development as a collaborative and entrepreneurial theatre artist. Facilitated by specialist staff and industry professionals, you will prepare, create and present your final production. You will acquire leadership skills in directing, apply theoretical lenses to your own creative practice, and be encouraged to undertake internships and project-based work. Those on the teaching pathway will undertake introductory studies in education. You will complete your second major, minors, second teaching area, or electives.

Entry requirements

Minimum academic requirements

Did you complete secondary school in Australia?

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

View all scholarships