Comedy

The Comedy programme at Bath Spa enables you to develop and write sketch shows, monologues, comic plays and stand-up, then perform live across the stand-up club and festival circuit. You'll create videos and podcasts, enter writing competitions and collaborate on devising, writing and filming an original sitcom pilot using our state-of-the-art facilities.

Rigorous practice and contextual theory will enable you to enhance your academic writing and research skills while exploring a range of contemporary comedy genres. You'll gain valuable experience of current industry practices and record high-quality material for a showreel.

Regardless of the industry, humour is omnipotent. That's why we've devised a unique optional module that explores the link between communicating in comedy and communicating in business, using techniques taught to companies including Google, Channel 4, M&C Saatchi, UBS and Bank Paribas.

Year one
Learn the fundamental concepts, structures, principles and vocabulary that demystify comedic practice. Develop the discipline of writing for performance through the lens of modern satire and observational humour. Gain a practical understanding of the dynamics of performance and acting methodologies supported by skills training in voice, movement and improvisation. Test your knowledge and skills through the creation and performance of original comedic material on a weekly basis, within a supportive studio environment.

Year two
Continue to create and perform original comedic material on a regular basis in a range of performance venues. Further extend your contextual knowledge and develop your skills in academic writing and critical thinking. And apply your skills and understanding through practical exploration of specific comedy genres. You'll also have the opportunity to study the link between communicating in comedy and communicating in business. 

Year three
Finally, year three will prepare you for your future career within the industry. Experienced professionals provide networking opportunities and advice on the routes you could follow as you move towards writing and performing professionally. Skills classes teach you how to present your work online, create a profile and presence via social media, develop successful actor audition techniques, enter festivals, get comedy gigs and approach broadcast media.

You’ll be assessed through:

• Solo and ensemble performances
• Solo and collaborative comedic writing
• Weekly performances
• Self-reflection
• Critical and contextual analysis.

In your final year of study, you'll identify your comedic persona and seek to emphasise and exploit the unique qualitites that differentiate you from your competitors as you progress into industry. You'll write an extended research essay, using this opportunity to articulate your future comedic direction and to critically analyse your emerging comedic practice.

You'll be taught through a range of activities including lectures, workshops, weekly performances, seminars, skills classes, rehearsals, tutorials, work placements and theatre visits.

You’ll benefit from visits from industry professionals, as well as networking opportunities and advice from those experienced in the comedy industry on the routes you could follow as you move towards employment. 

As a Comedy graduate, you'll have identified your distinctive comic voice and will have the tools to write and perform to a professional standard.

You'll be creating and presenting your work on professional platforms that reach beyond the University, and you'll have the ability to showcase yourself both online and on stage.

You'll have a clear knowledge and understanding of the live and broadcast comedy industries, and how to successfully navigate this highly competitive field and exploit the opportunities therein.

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

You'll benefit from use of teaching and rehearsal facilities on the Newton Park campus.

Facilities include:

• University Theatre
• University Theatre studios
• Ashton Drama studio
• Commons lecture and seminar rooms
• Michael Tippett Centre: auditorium/practice rooms
• Library
• TV studios.