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Drama studies (TSM joint honors) - TR001

The TSM course explores theatre and drama mainly from a theoretical and historical perspective. It combines library-based courses with training in critical and analytical skills. While it follows a similar format to its single honor equivalent - Drama and theatre studies (TR025) - the practical content is limited in the first two years, but allows for the taking of practical modules in third and fourth years. For TSM students there are approximately 7 hours per week of classes plus rehearsals.

Is this the right course for you?

These courses provide students with a broad foundation in all aspects of theatre and performance. They allow students to specialise in one or more practical areas of theatre and are designed to prepare students for careers and further training in theatre and related fields. The strong developmental nature of Drama and theatre studies means that, in addition to a high level of analytical ability, you will need to possess resourcefulness, self-motivation and good time-management skills. By its nature, practical theatre work calls for full-time commitment to rehearsal and production at certain times of the year. You will also need to have the ability to work as a member of a team to succeed on this course.

Course overview

Both these courses aim to enable you to explore the relationship between the theory and the practice of theatre, to discover how and why theatre works. They do this by uniting elements of literary, cultural, historical and sociological studies with a practical understanding of the various performing arts.

The Freshman years

The Junior and Senior Freshman (first and second) years will provide you with the skills of the theatre historian, analyst and practitioner. During these years, the course provides an introduction to drama, theatre and performance. Teaching is by lecture, seminar and practical workshop and is arranged in a series of three-week intensive modules over each of the two semesters. Courses cover defined historical periods, genres and movements, such as ancient Greek theatre, Shakespeare, Melodrama, Gender and performance, Postmodern theatre and Classical Asian theatre. Single honor students, in addition to all of the courses above take courses in practical areas of theatre (Introduction to performing, Introduction to theatre making and Technical theatre). These practical courses run through both of the Freshman years.

In the Junior Freshman (first) year these courses are supplemented for all students by classes in study and writing skills and multimedia technology. Senior Freshmen (second-year students, both single honor and TSM) supplement their practical experience of theatre in a full year-end ensemble production in the Samuel Beckett Theatre.

The Sophister years

In the Junior and Senior Sophister (third and fourth) years, the curriculum offers library-based courses in theatre and performance history with more practical workshop-based courses. There is a compulsory course entitled Contemporary Irish theatre in context" for all students. The remainder of the curriculum is constructed by each student via selection from a range of optional modules. TSM and single honor students are treated equally in the Junior Sophister (third) year (meaning there is no prioritisation), with TSM students taking half the number of courses required of single honor students. In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year, there is no difference in curriculum between single honor students and TSM students who major in Drama.

The range of courses allows you to favour study in historical and theoretical fields or in practical aspects of theatre, although some balance is required. The range of options is vast and includes courses in the theatre history of Ireland, Europe, Asia, and the USA, stage, costume and lighting design, devising, directing, theatre management, film theory and history, performance studies, acting, and performance and technology. In your final year, in addition to course options, you will undertake an individual research project guided by a member of staff and culminating in submission of a dissertation.

Assessment

Assessment is by a combination of essays, journals, practical assignments, class presentations, written and oral examination and, in your final year, a dissertation.

Study abroad

You may apply to spend the Junior Sophister (third) year at a European university as part of the Erasmus exchange programme. Drama has exchange agreements with the University of California, the University of Helsinki, the Université de Paris-Nanterre (Paris X), the Freie UniversitÀt Berlin, the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, the University of Glasgow, Goldsmith's College (University of London) and Royal Holloway College (University of London).

Did you know?

• Since its establishment in 1592, Trinity College has educated some of the greatest dramatists in world theatre, from Congreve and Goldsmith to Synge and Beckett.
• Drama at Trinity College is housed in the purpose-built Samuel Beckett Centre. Within the centre is the Samuel Beckett Theatre, a 208-seat black box performance space, the Players Theatre (the studio theatre of Trinity College's student drama society), a dance studio/rehearsal space, seminar rooms and offices.
• Contemporary playwrights, directors, actors and designers often visit Trinity College to discuss their work and give workshops or courses. In recent years, visitors have included Augusto Boal, Michael Bogdanov, Gabriel Byrne, Sue-Ellen Case, Max Stafford-Clark, Garry Hynes, Pamela Howard, Patrick Mason, Harold Pinter, Fiona Shaw, Jim Sheridan, Gunilla Palmstierna-Weiss, Yong Li Lan, and Phillip Zarrilli.

Career opportunities

Most graduates of both the single honor and the TSM course seek employment in theatre or related professions. Many opt to take further training or apprenticeships in specialist areas of theatre, film, or television (such as directing, acting, design, writing, management, community drama and teaching). A number of recent graduates have formed their own theatre companies, have won awards, or have active careers in theatre, film, or television. Others have chosen research careers beginning with further study at postgraduate level.

Further information

Graduate profile

Dominic West

Dominic plays lead detective Jimmy McNulty in the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire. He graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in Drama studies and English in 1992, having played lead roles in Drama department productions. Like many other Drama students at Trinity College, Dominic went on to train professionally as an actor after graduation. As well as many film and television roles he has also performed at the Royal National Theatre and several West End theatres in London.