Ulster University Creative Arts Showcase: DRAMA Presentation

Contemporary Irish Theatre looks in detail at contemporary theatre practice in Ireland on both sides of the Border, and places it in a range of relevant discursive and theoretical contexts.

Students read from the work of a wide range of contemporary and canonical playwrights. This year the module was primarily concerned with violence in Irish theatre: comic violence, spoken violence, and violence performed on stage, as well as other kinds of live performance like parades, commemorations, and other public events.

The module is coordinated by Dr Lisa Fitzpatrick. She has published widely on contemporary Irish theatre, post-conflict theatre, and violence in performance. Her work has been funded by the British Academy and by the Canadian High Commission, and her current project is on gender, violence and the postcolonial.

Performance and Health This module provides students with the opportunity to explore performance as a means of enhancing wellbeing; of challenging stigma and stereotypes; and of promoting awareness of health issues. Students examine specific selected examples of therapeutic and performance practices engaging with issues of health and wellbeing. Practical exploration allows students to engage with the formal techniques from within, while independent research and seminar discussion provides the opportunity to contextualise and analyse the practices encountered.

The module is coordinated by Dr Matt Jennings. Matt has worked extensively in professional theatre and applied drama contexts. He is developing collaborative research projects in the field of arts participation and health, particularly with Ulster's Faculty of Nursing. His extensive experience of working with community groups, children, young people, older people, people with learning disabilities, people with mental health issues and health professionals has informed his research, practice and teaching. He also provides training and professional development for youth and community workers, health care providers and applied drama practitioners.