Prospective students in the BA Drama and Theatre Arts program
Prospective students in the BA Drama and Theatre Arts programme at UFS can look forward to a comprehensive education that covers all facets of the performing arts. This includes acting, theatre making, technical aspects of theatre, film making and entrepreneurship in the arts. From the first year, students will have the opportunity to participate in various productions, ranging from theatre for young audiences and physical theatre to experimental, classical, contemporary plays and comedies.
During the first two years, students follow a broad curriculum that provides a solid foundation in all areas of the performing arts. In the third year, they can choose to specialize in areas such as acting, theater making, film studies, design or technical theater. The UFS’s state-of-the-art theater and film facilities offer students a significant advantage.
Kayla Barker spoke to Dr Thys Heydenrych, the Programme Director of Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of the Free State, about what prospective students can expect. Listen here:
Career Opportunities for Drama and Theatre Arts Graduates
Graduates of the Drama and Theatre Arts program at UFS have a wide range of career opportunities available to them. The diversity of the program prepares students for a variety of roles within the entertainment industry, including professional stage, industrial theater, television, and film. They can pursue careers as actors, dramaturges, directors, or producers. Many UFS alumni work as technical staff at festivals and companies, with some even managing technical aspects for multiple theaters.
Additionally, Drama students can choose to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which allows them to become a teacher in Arts and Culture or Dramatic Arts. There are also opportunities for further academic progression through postgraduate degrees such as the BAHons, MA or PhD in Drama and Theatre Arts, as well as BAHons or MA in Film and Visual Media.
The UFS Drama and Theatre Arts programme is designed not only to prepare students for employment, but also to enable them to create their own employment opportunities. Students are encouraged to think beyond traditional work roles and see themselves as future employers within the industry. This entrepreneurial mindset is a key part of the educational philosophy, which aims to equip students with the skills and confidence to innovate and lead in the performing arts sector.
“You will also learn many skills within the various disciplines in the Faculty of Humanities that will support your future career. A qualification in the Humanities is respected worldwide and people with this type of qualification are the backbone of society. Certain programmes are designed to train you for a specific career, while others will equip you with skills needed for a variety of roles.” – Prof M Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities
Visit Drama and Theatre Arts for more information.
Involvement in the Free State Art Festival
Thys Heydenrych, who acts as the departmental liaison between the Vrystaat Arts Festival and the University of the Free State (UFS) Drama Department, plays a crucial role in ensuring the seamless integration of the department’s resources and expertise with the festival’s activities. Heydenrych and his team are responsible for a wide range of preparations, including ensuring that all venues are ready, stages are painted, technical equipment in the theatres is functioning flawlessly and other miscellaneous tasks. Their aim is to ensure that every aspect of the department contributes to the success of the festival.
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