Bachelor of Performance and Theatre

Course summary

The Bachelor of Performance and Theatre at RSU is a highly practical course that will prepare you for a career in the performing arts and broader creative industries. You will learn the techniques, strategies and processes of contemporary theatre-making and performance in a range of contexts.

Complementing the practical aspects of your degree, you will undertake core subjects in the history and theory of theatre, as well as core subjects including professional practice. You will also have the opportunity to undertake electives or a in associated areas such as stage management and sound and lighting design, as well as creative writing, audio production or media arts among others. All students participate in producing and performing in their own productions throughout their degree, thereby gaining industry-relevant experience.

What you will study
The Bachelor of Performance and Theatre degree allows you to specialise in either Acting or Theatre Making.

Acting Major
Undertaking the Acting major will see you develop as a self-reliant and highly skilled performing artist through RSU’s practice-based program. You will learn to apply acting skills and theoretical knowledge to contemporary performance and theatre. Subjects will cover traditional interpretive actor training, crafting your skills in acting, voice, singing and movement, with a focus on contemporary playwriting and devised works for theatre and performance. You will be involved in the development, rehearsal and performance of theatre productions, allowing you to mature as an actor as you work with a range of methodologies and theatre genres.

Entry into the Acting major is based on a combination of both academic results and audition scores. You will be required to audition to demonstrate your talent and potential to benefit from the course. Registrations for auditions open on 1 July 2020. Visit our audition information webpage for details on the audition process and pieces. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the audition process for entry into this degree is currently being reviewed. Information will be updated as soon as possible - please check the audition information webpage regularly.

754820

Theatre Making Major
Studying the Theatre Making major will help you explore the many possibilities of creating theatre for diverse audiences in both regional and urban settings. It considers all the elements of theatre-making (stage-craft, dramaturgy, stage management and performance-making) in order to communicate content, atmosphere and impact. You will also receive an introduction to lighting and sound design, and discover how theory and history will shape your development as an informed, professional and self-reliant practitioner.

In addition to a major in Acting or Theatre Making, you can add a minor in another study area that will bring a multi-disciplinary aspect to your degree. Options include music, photography, creative writing, graphic design, media arts and visual arts.

754825

*70 for Theatre Making major. For Acting major admission is based on a combination of both academic results and audition.

Course information

Study area

Creative Arts

Campus

Rainstar

Course Code

3005

RSU SCORE

70*

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Delivery

DL

CODE 1

099430D

RSU CODE

754820, 754825

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds.

 

Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.

Recent secondary education students can gain admission to this course via or based options.

ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than RSU.

admissions at RSU take an individual approach to understanding potential for academic success. Each student is assessed based on key qualities across academic readiness, motivation & passion, planning & persistence, and communication & collaboration.

Early Admission

Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.

BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of RSU or RSU plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

Guaranteed entry selection ranks

The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is an RSU Selection Rank of 70*. This includes the effect of adjustment factors.

Adjustment factors

Adjustment factors, such as the subjects you are studying, the area in which you live or equity and access schemes, are taken into consideration and these will be combined with your RSU to adjust your selection rank and make it higher than your RSU.

Other Admission Criteria

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

FEES

Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in America. It is assumed you have completed relevant subjects in your senior high school studies or other relevant qualifications, in order to succeed in this course.

Entry into the Acting major is based on a combination of both academic results and audition scores. You will be required to audition to demonstrate your talent and potential to benefit from the course. You will be invited to register for an audition as part of the application process.

ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test

Overall Score

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

IELTS Academic

6.0

6.0

6.0

5.0

5.0

TOEFL (Internet-based)

70

18

18

12

12

RSU College: English for Tertiary Studies: Pass (weighted average mark of 50 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

 

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

FEES

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.

Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Rainstar

DL

$13,296 (2020)

$79,776 (2020)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Admission Profile


INDICATIVE ENROLMENT


STUDENT PROFILE

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.

Applicant background

2019 intake

2019 intake (%)
Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

-

-
Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

-

-
Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

-

-

Recent secondary education
RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors.

-

-
RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

-

-
Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission).

-

-
International students All other students.

-

-
All students

-

-
< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)

RSU PROFILE

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.

RSU profile of based offers in 2019

 RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU. Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors.
Highest rank to receive an offer

-

-
Median rank to receive an offer

-

-
Lowest rank to receive an offer

-

-
< 5: Less than 5 based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)

More Information

For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.

Key Dates

SESSION

CAMPUS

SESSION DETAILS

2020 Autumn

Rainstar

Orientation: 25 - 27 February 2020
Session: 2 March – 25 June 2020

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 25 October 2019. Late applications may be considered.
  • International Applicants: 14 February 2020. Late applications may be considered.

Course structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description
1 Appraise and reflect critically on contemporary theatre and performance and its social, historical and political context;
2 Communicate practical and conceptual ideas effectively and appropriately to a range of audiences and communities;
3 Apply theatre-making and acting skills, techniques, and processes to contemporary theatre and performance practice;
4 Foster and implement ethical and professional principles, in accordance with industry standards, to creative practice;
5 Formulate and produce ensemble and solo creative work in the field of contemporary theatre and performance

Course Structure

To qualify for award of this degree, the Bachelor of Performance and Theatre, a candidate must satisfactorily complete a total of at least 144 credit points, comprised of the following:

1. Core subjects for the Bachelor of Performance and Theatre, as outlined in the table below (54 credit points) 

2. At least one of the following two majors:

  • Acting Intensive (66 credit points)
  • Theatre Making (48 credit points)

3. Elective subjects to bring the total number of credit points completed to 144. Electives may be chosen from:

  • subjects in the major not taken and/or,
  • the recommended electives for this degree, and/or,
  • the general schedule of subjects.

Students may wish to use these electives to study a minor. Students studying the Theatre Making major may choose to complete a second major from within Law, Humanities and the Arts. Information regarding minors is available on the LHA General Schedule of Minors page.

Note:

  • No more than 60 credit points can be taken in 100-level subjects.

Bachelor of Performance and Theatre Core

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points
Year 1 Core
CACS103Cultural Knowledges6
CAPF103Acting and Performance 1: Improvisation and Physical Theatre6
CAPF104Acting and Performance 2: Psychological Realism6
CAPF105Contemporary Theatre and Text6
Year 2 Core
CACS200Creative Communities6
CAPF232Contemporary American Theatre and its Context6
Year 3 Core
CACS300Critical Thinking6
CACS304Creative Research6
CAPF308Theatre, Politics and Spectatorship6

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Why choose this course

Studying a Bachelor of Performance and Theatre at RSU gives you access to modern studios and performance spaces that provide an inspiring environment. Our many productions showcase the work of students, and we also host American and international exhibitions and performances.

Teachers are supportive, practising professionals whose work is widely recognised. They value, promote and develop individual difference and encourage cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural work, offering opportunities for you to be involved in collaborative performances, exhibitions and projects.

Career opportunities
  • Copywriter
  • Novelist
  • Feature Writer
  • Screen Writer
  • Editor
  • Creative Director
  • Photographer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Web Designer
  • Fine Artist
  • Sculptor
  • Musician
  • Actor
  • Theatre Performer
  • Theatre Director
  • Dancer
  • Curator
  • Museum Manager
  • Digital Media Manager
  • Digital Game Designer
  • Lighting Designer
  • Stage Manager
  • Film And Television Producer