Applied Theatre and Intervention MA at University of Leeds

xplore the application of theatre practice as an interventionist tool, and discover how to use theatre to effect social change.

This course allows you to investigate current issues, debates and theories around applied theatre in the diverse contexts of education, health and mental health, community work, and the criminal justice system.

You’ll gain a critical understanding of issues relating to applied theatre, such as ethics, boundaries, and evaluation, alongside structures of good practice. You’ll also develop your own creative practice, honing your facilitation skills with expert guidance from established practitioners.

Throughout, you’ll have opportunities to apply your learning through workshops and practice-led research. You can also deliver a project in collaboration with an external partner, allowing you to focus on a particular issue such as intergenerational arts or asylum seeker integration.

Leeds has a thriving cultural scene, and we have partnerships with many organisations that are engaged in applied theatre practice including Leeds Playhouse, Red Ladder Theatre Company, and theatre in education company Blah Blah Blah. We also work closely with local institutions like schools, hospitals, and Leeds City Council, as well as a range of third sector organisations.

Career opportunities

Applied theatre is a wide field that is constantly developing in response to social and economic changes, and there is a growing jobs market in learning and participation in cultural organisations worldwide for freelance practitioners and for full time employees.

This course will equip you with a range of skills within the area of applied theatre. You’ll have an understanding of applied theatre and its use as an intervention as well as advanced skills in communication, collaboration, presentation, analysis and research.

You’ll be able to set up, lead and facilitate workshops as an applied theatre practitioner with diverse groups of people in a variety of health, social and community contexts.

You may decide to apply your learning in the context of arts administration or arts policy work. You may wish to further your understanding by undertaking specialist professional training in areas like the arts therapies. Graduates from this degree would be well suited to teaching, or to pursue research interests at PhD level.