The MA in Theatre and Performance Studies (Coursework) is the first of its kind in Asia. There are three areas of focus: 1) Creative Practices in Performance, 2) Theatre, Film and Literature and 3) Digital Skills in the Arts and Humanities. These tap into the department's world-class expertise in Asian performance within international contexts. They are grounded in the department’s hands-on practice-based research, intermedial study of performance across theatre, film and literature, and cutting-edge digital skills in humanities research.

Creative Practices in Performance courses see students engaging in a wide range of activities such as crafting documentary dramas, exploring movement practices, and devising theatre. "Through the courses in Digital Skills in the Arts and Humanities, interested students will learn the basics of digital archiving, data analysis, and other key skills for our digital age,” Murphy adds. “Other courses teach students key skills in performance ethnography and analysing theatre and performance as it traverses across media such as novels, films, and stage performance." 

It’s an experiential MA that trains students in close critical and historically contextualised analysis. These are skills necessary for cultural leadership in a wide range of roles from arts organisation leader, to theatre and performance maker, to cultural research associate, to arts policy maker. “Our students will be poised to make an impact on cultural life on both local and international scales,” says Murphy.

"Students of this programme will be equipped with a host of transferable skills with a keen eye toward industry relevance in both local and international contexts," shares associate professor Maiya Murphy. "Our courses sharpen critical thinking, research abilities and presentation skills, particularly for those who seek to work between art practice, industry, research, and community advancement."