The University of the Free State Department of Drama and Theatre Arts is an innovative department that has made it its mission to improve the quality of life for all South Africans via the power of the stage through teaching, research, and community service. The aspirations of the UFS’s Vision 130 - achievement of academic excellence, innovation, and international renown by the university’s 130th anniversary in 2034 - are perfectly in line with those of our department.
The mission of the UFS’s Department of Drama and Theatre Arts is to promote social justice and societal development through creating an environment of academic excellence, student-centred learning, and regional participation in line with Vision 130. Our goal is to create graduates who can compete on a global scale and share knowledge in a way that influences people’s lives both here and abroad.
As we strive to strengthen our academic standing, we will continue to provide top-notch programmes that will help students in the 21st century find fulfilling careers and contribute to the growth of their communities. To remain relevant and sustainable in the ever-changing landscape of higher education, we take creative steps when designing and supporting our programmes. The teaching staff members are well-respected experts in their fields, and they bring an array of knowledge and experience to the table. To further propel innovation into effect, we are committed to supporting research chairs, expanding our research capacity, and nurturing centres of research excellence.
Working at our department’s state-of-the-art theatre and film facilities is only one advantage of studying under our staff of distinguished academics and award-winning artists. Every member of our team has an impressive list of accomplishments, including multiple international credentials, a wealth of published work, original creative works informed by research, and a slew of honours and accolades for their work in the field. Three fully operational theatres, a state-of-the-art audiovisual recording studio, and first-rate technical workshops are just a few of the specific facilities our students use for practical instruction and practice. Academics and professional artists who visit the area frequently comment that these facilities are “the best of its kind in the country”.
We aim to maximise the societal impact through scholarship, research, and teaching, as an institution profoundly engaged in society. Research priorities are driven by a dedication to resolving critical local and global issues; as a result, findings are relevant and applicable across the African continent, not only in the Free State. To broaden research networks and encourage the sharing of knowledge, we cultivate long-term partnerships with both domestic and foreign organisations. Our research is focused on producing concrete societal effects and recognition through collaboration between disciplines and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our comprehensive undergraduate programme focuses on a range of industry-related skills, from acting, physical and devised theatre, to filmmaking and arts entrepreneurship.
Public performances of our culminating practical training include thrilling fare such as theatre for young audiences, physical theatre, experimental and creative forms of theatre, classic and contemporary plays, comedies, and more. We aim for all our students to get practical experience working on stage productions while they are enrolled in our department. Rigid theoretical studies back up all this hands-on experience, preparing students for careers in arts teaching and the creative sectors by providing them with the information, understanding, and critical thinking abilities they need. Here, you may do more than simply get an education; you can become a part of community where you can meet lifelong friends and establish foundational support systems.
Inclusion and diversity are cornerstones of our department’s culture and dedication to social justice. To guarantee racial, socio-economic, gender, and epistemological diversity, we aggressively seek out and attract students from a wide range of backgrounds. Learning experiences that are personalised to meet the different needs and goals of our student community are fostered by our student-centred approach. Where different viewpoints are valued, discussed, and honoured, we strive to cultivate an environment of kindness and tolerance.
Augusto Boal once said: “We must all do theatre, to find out who we are and to discover who we could become”. University of the Free State’s Department of Drama and Theatre Arts invites you to join us in shaping the future of performing arts education and research through academic achievement, societal impact, and diversity.