Theatre is a unique art form as it doesn’t have a tangible final product that will last forever. The beauty of it is that thespians work weeks to create brief moments of pure art that evoke a legion of feelings and emotions. These moments, just like other art forms, convey a message and tells a story about life, humans, and even bigger forms of existence. We paint with our voices and sculpt with our bodies to make audiences and ourselves feel something. Theatre is art, and here at the UFS Drama and Theatre Arts Department, we eat, live, and breathe for our art.
No great artist ever became brilliant without the assistance of a wise trained mentor. The UFS Drama and Theatre Arts Department has highly skilled and internationally trained lecturers who would go to extremes to educate and develop young thespians. Many of our staff are still part or have been part of the South African theatre and entertainment industry.
During your studies, you will receive training in almost every aspect of theatre and the performing arts. The UFS Drama and Theatre Arts Department has a holistic approach to the art of theatre and film. As an undergrad, you will receive theoretical training that includes history modules, script analysis, and acting, movement, and speech theories. Practically you will receive training in acting, voice and speech and movement. Prospective students can also look forward to technical training in our state-of-the-art theatres. During your studies, you will learn about the technical aspects of theatre and practically apply your knowledge. Many professional lighting and sound operators, stage managers, and theatre designers have walked our department’s grounds.
Other exciting module units include radio training, stage make-up, costume and theatre design, puppetry and theatre for young audiences. We not only have well-equipped theatres on campus, but we also have a fully equipped film studio. Third years specializing in filming will get training in film acting, film making, and editing.
The Drama and Theatre Arts Department of the UFS is not just an academic environment but also a place where you feel a strong sense of community. During your studies, you will make life long companies and build connections that will support you in your quest as a theatre and or film professional.
Augusto Boal once said: “We must all do theatre, to find out who we are and to discover who we could become.” At the UFS Drama and Theatre Arts Department, you could discover the artist you always dreamed of being.
An overview of the history of the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts.