DIPLOMA IN THEATRE (ENGLISH DRAMA) (University of the Arts Singapore)
Course Information
Description
Course overview
Train to become the next breakout theatre star, in the language you are most confident expressing yourself in. Our three-year Diploma in Theatre can be pursued in English or Mandarin Drama, with both sharing the same principal focus on a strong foundation in acting, contextual studies, movement, voice and stagecraft.
You will be exposed to a wide range of leading international theatre practices, and guided to develop your very own creative voice as a budding theatre artist, poised to set the world ablaze. This programme is taught by an international faculty, which includes esteemed professional practitioners from the local and international theatre industry.
Emerge as an All-Around Theatre Practitioner
You will learn everything you need to know about theatre, to be a true leader in the industry. Gain a thorough understanding of the history and contexts of major international theatre styles, conventions and practices; acquire fundamental technical, management and design skills to put together a theatre performance; and develop fundamental skills and strategies for drama teaching.
Learn to Work Collaboratively and Strategically in the Arts Industry
Through modules in Interdisciplinary Practice and Industry-based Learning, you will learn how to collaborate effectively with artists from other disciplines on a range of theatre-related projects and real-world industry productions, building valuable professional networks in the process.
Acquire Valuable Transferable Skills
With opportunities to create content and perform for a wide variety of theatre contexts and styles, as well as a strong focus on interdisciplinary practice, you will develop transferable skills that can be applied all across the arts and cultural industries.
Entry Requirements
Find out about the specific entry requirements that apply to you.
NAFA hopes to attract applicants with the potential to become excellent arts practitioners. Applicants are selected by merit, based on the following criteria:
- Potential in Artistic Talent and Creativity
- Educational Qualification
- Language Proficiency
- Special Factor
Selection is competitive and is subject to the availability of places. However, the Academy may give consideration to talented applicants who excel in Artistic Talent and Creativity, but have not fully met the education qualification stated.
Potential in Artistic Talent and Creativity
You are required to attend an audition. The audition consists of three sections — Workshop, Audition Monologue and Interview.
- You will be given three audition monologues at least one week prior to the audition and you will need to choose one. You are expected to memorise or be very prepared with your chosen piece
- You are required to report to the audition venue 30 minutes earlier to register
- The audition may take up to three hours
- Wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement
Audition Date
- 13 October 2023
- 27 October 2023
- 26 January 2024
- 23 February 2024
- 22 March 2024
- 26 April 2024
Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.
Workshop
You are expected to participate enthusiastically in the improvisation exercises and theatre games during the workshop. Through your participation in the workshop, you will be evaluated based on your:
- Openness to improvisation and willingness to work with others
- Vocal response in an improvisation – projection, range, tone and clarity
- Physical response in an improvisation – expressiveness, spontaneity and range
Audition Monologue
During the audition, you will be asked to perform one of the three pieces of dramatic texts. You are expected to arrive with your chosen monologue memorised. Through your performance of the monologue, assessors will evaluate your:
- Ability to perorm a dramatic text – comprehension, characterisation and creativity
- Physical skills – presence on stage, spatial awareness, physical range, movement vocabulary and physical portrayal of character
- Vocal skills – projection, clarity, range and tone
Interview
You are expected to discuss why you want to study theatre during the interview. You will be reviewed based on your:
- Existing knowledge of and experience in theatre and/or performance
- Personality traits
- Innovation and creativity
Educational Qualifications - Singapore
Minimum Educational Qualifications Required
MOE-Funded
- Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level: At least 5 GCE ‘O’ Level credits, or its equivalent, including English as a First Language
- Good grades in Art at the GCE ‘O’ Level. Applicants who have external Art qualifications and Art portfolio are welcomed to apply
- Pass admission test or portfolio submission
- Selected applicants may be asked to attend an in-person or online interview
Non-Subsidised
- Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level: Aggregate score of 25 points or better in 4 GCE ‘O’ Level subjects, excluding English.
Applicants who are active in their Secondary Schools’ Co-curricular Activities (CCA) may gain up to 2 CCA points. The CCA points can be used to improve their EQ aggregate score for admission consideration.
Types of bonus points No. of bonus points awarded
Grades of A1–A2 2 points
Grades of B3–C6 1 point
- Singapore Integrated Programme: Successful completion of Year 4 or higher.
- School of The Arts (SOTA): Successful completion of Year 4 or higher.
- Institute of Technical Education (ITE): Full-time Higher Nitec or Nitec.
Educational Qualifications - International
Successful completion of at least 10 years of education.
Eligible international students will be able to use their mid-year examination results to apply for diploma programmes at NAFA. Applicants will be given conditional offer if they are successful in their portfolio interview/audition selection. Applicants are still required to submit their year-end examination results and meet the admission requirements of the respective programmes. Any applicant who does not meet the admission requirements will have his/her conditional offer revoked.
The minimum English Language proficiency requirement:
- Grade C6 at GCE ‘O’ Levels
- TOEFL iBT 50
- TOEFL 500
- IELTS Academic Band 5
- SAT score of 480 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing component)
- Duolingo score of 75
- Qualifications equivalent to any of the above
Special Factor
Recognition is accorded for prior achievements in areas relevant to intended studies.
Career Opportunities
Information not available.
Modules
The modules below are applicable to students enrolled on or after August 2021.
For students enrolled prior in AY2020/2021 and earlier, please refer to the Diploma Programme and Module Information Booklet on StudentNet for the programme modules in your respective year of enrolment.
- Acting and Contextual Studies 1 (Stanislavski)
- Voice 1 (Understanding Your Voice)
- Movement 1 (Physical Awareness)
- Stagecraft 1 (Production Planning and Stage Management)
- Acting and Contextual Studies 2 (Working with Text)
- Voice 2 (Exploring Your Voice)
- Movement 2 (Exploration of Characters)
- Stagecraft 2 (Lighting and Sound)
- Professional Development Roadmap 1
- Acting and Contextual Studies 3 (Stylised Theatre)
- Voice 3 (Expanding Your Voice)
- Movement 3 (Ensemble and Chorus)
- Stagecraft 3 (Sets and Costumes)
- Acting and Contextual Studies 4 (Contemporary Practices)
- Voice 4 (Mastering Your Voice)
- Movement 4 (Asian Forms)
- Interdisciplinary Lab
- Professional Development Roadmap 2
- Overseas Immersion*
- Acting and Contextual Studies 5 (Applied Theatre)
- Fundamentals of Directing
- Fundamentals of Playwriting
- Industry Project
- Southeast Asian Performing Arts*
- Essentials of Teaching and Learning
- Professional Development Roadmap 3
- Gemmology*
- Metalsmithing*
- Introduction to Furniture Design*
- Introduction to Interior Design*
- Design and Brand Strategy*
- Digital Photography and Publication*
- Packaging Design*
- History of Asian Costume*
- Costume Design*
- Textile Design and Innovation 1*
- Textile Design and Innovation 2*
- Introduction to Painting*
- Introduction to Printmaking*
- Introduction to Gong Bi*
- Figure Drawing*
- Arts Management Fundamentals*
- Introduction to Arts Marketing*
- Instrumental Studies: Guitar*
- Instrumental Studies: Gamelan*
- Speech Presentations*
- Business Communication*
- Entrepreneurship in the Arts*
- Starting Your Own Business*
- Singapore Arts Scene*
- Interdisciplinary Project 2A*
- Interdisciplinary Project 2B*
- Interdisciplinary Project 3A*
- Interdisciplinary Project 3B*
*Electives
Students are required to take either DTH3012 Overseas Immersion or 4 credits of Cross-disciplinary electives.