Study theatre abroad

“I can’t say enough how grateful I am to have had this opportunity. If you’re reading this and considering applying, DO IT. I promise you will not regret it.” (Rachel Kuipery, Student, Faculty of Science)

Destination Theatre - Theatre Studies 3900G

This course will be offered during the Fall/Winter 2023-24 academic year.

Destination Theatre is an opportunity for students to indulge their love of live performance, to expand their world as they travel to a major global city with fellow students, and to discover aspects of themselves that they may never have considered before.

Students will have the opportunity to develop their drama education more deeply through the experience of theatre abroad, in London, England or New York. When in London, England, attendance at live performances will be complemented with daily lectures, workshops and seminars hosted by artists and scholars from the University of London, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. In addition, students will experience tours of theatres, archives, and do a theatre-themed walking tour of central London. Read our student blog!

No theatre experience required!

Students are encouraged to bring their home discipline’s research and ideas to class to help shape their experience of the theatre they will see.

Instructor: M.J. Kidnie
Dates: Approximately 1/2 of a half course in class at Western during the Winter term and two weeks abroad during Intersession (June - July).
Theme: Performance, culture, and the urban economy
Application/Registration: 1) Submit your application to Western International, 2) Once your application is approved, you will receive an email from the department with enrollment instructions 3) enrol in Theatre Studies 3900G through Student Central

Prerequisites

At least 60% in 1.0 of any 1000-level or above “E” or combination of two 1000- level or above “F/G” courses from any department in the following Faculties: Arts and Humanities, School of Humanities (Brescia), Information and Media Studies (FIMS), or Music; or from any of the following additional Departments: Anthropology, English (King’s), English and Cultural Studies (Huron), History (Main and Affiliates), Philosophy (Affiliates), Political Science (Main and Affiliates), the Religious Studies (Affiliates), or permission of the Department.

Funding

Students may be able to take advantage of a range of bursary opportunitiesmore information is available through Western International.

How to apply

1. Submit your application to Western International
2. Once you receive an email confirming that your application has been accepted, then register for Theatre Studies 3900G through Student Central

How will the course work?

Destination Theatre is a Winter-term, 0.5 credit, experiential learning course on which students will travel to London, England or New York for two weeks during Intersession.

Students can expect to spend approximately half of their contact hours (1/2 of a 1/2 course) in class at Western and the other half on location in London, England or New York.

During class time at Western we will read widely in the basics of theatre and performance studies, in order to ensure we have a shared baseline for discussion; students will be encouraged to investigate individual research avenues related to their own fields of study. We will also read some key texts in urban performance studies, in relation to the course's current theme.

Accommodation:
In London, we expect to stay on campus at Queen Mary, University of London, in the city's vibrant east end. Students will enjoy individual rooms in shared flats, and will be given the option of choosing half board, bed and breakfast, or no board options (shared flats all have kitchens). In Stratford-upon-Avon, we will stay in B&Bs. Accommodation details for New York are not available at this time.

Performances:
In London, England we will see 8-12 live shows over our two week residency, in both London and, if possible, Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's birthplace). In addition, students will attend workshops, seminars, and talks hosted by artists and scholars from the University of London, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and will have the chance to experience Queen Mary's annual "Peopling the Palace" performance festival, a showcase of east-London talent. Performance details for New York are not available at this time.

Assignments:
Assignments for Destination Theatre may include a journal component, contribution to the class blog, a performance review, and a final project based on students' individual research investigations, applied to experiences while abroad. These in particular will be designed by students in consultation with the instructor before leaving Western, with the aim of aligning project work to students' individual areas of study and interest beyond the course.

Cost:
As this is a regular winter term offering there is no additional tuition due for Destination Theatre. The cost for Destination Theatre's abroad component in London, England is approximately $2500 (subject to change). This fee will include accommodation, board as applicable, intercity travel within England, most theatre tickets, and insurance. Students book their flights to London independently (cost borne by the student), and you have the freedom to combine the journey with other travel on either side of the course programming abroad. Cost details for New York are not available at this time.

Both the Winter term and the Intersession abroad component are compulsory.

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