Drama

Explore the role of performance in our world and expand your theatre-making practice.  

Join the Department of Film, Theatre & Television, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore a range of roles and practices as part of your studies and hone your creative skills as a writer, director, designer, technician or performer. You’ll also have the chance to undertake industry placements, professional collaborations and study abroad opportunities, developing your practice in a range of contexts.

Turn your creative expression into a professional practice

Our courses will equip you with the relevant tools to express your creativity in performance, as you deepen your understanding of theatre’s relationship with wider social, political, cultural and ecological contexts and practices.

Our programmes combine practical learning with critical exploration of the histories, practices and frameworks that inform contemporary performance. This approach builds your range of creative, academic and technical skills that will prove invaluable throughout the degree and beyond.

Recent exciting projects include a collaboration with Reading’s South Street Theatre, ‘Work in Progress’. Funded by Arts Council England, the initiative enabled our students to work directly alongside professional theatre companies in developing and performing new work. We also partner with leading regional companies such as Rabble Theatre and Reading Rep, and offer modules focused on career development.

A purpose-built learning facility

The Department is based in the purpose-built, industry-standard Minghella Studios, a collection of bright, open and flexible spaces, including three versatile theatre halls, all licensed for public performance. Our studios are situated on the University of Reading’s green Whiteknights campus, a leader in sustainable practice across the higher education sector.

Our Department proudly subscribes to the industry-leading BAFTA Albert scheme, which supports film-and-television makers in their efforts to work sustainably and limit their environmental impact. By studying with us you'll join one of the UK’s leading Universities in Environment and Sustainability’ Ranked 4th in the world in the People and Planet University Awards 2024/25.