Masterclasses and extracurricular activities

Learn directly from industry professionals. Take part in practical sessions that will broaden your performance skills and personal development. Attend theatre visits to watch professional performers in action. Gain an awareness of employability skills and job opportunities.

Students sitting on the floor in a studio listening to a guest lecturer

To enhance your exposure to professional practice, you'll take part in guest masterclasses. This variety of practical activity (which includes networking and personal development) will broaden your performance horizons. For example, you'll take part in a clowning workshop with an actual clown, or learn the art of drag from a professional drag artist. You'll also get to engage with guest speakers and industry professionals through our relationship with Live Theatre.

Through these masterclasses, you'll gain an awareness of employability, as well as recognition of where your developing skills might be relevant for work in an area you weren't aware of before.

A group of performance students taking part in a circus masterclass

In the academic year 2022/23, masterclasses included:

Commedia dell'arte masterclass with Artistic Director of MeeMee Theatre Ltd, Pady O’Connor
1-2-1 vocal sessions with professional singer, Val Reed
Creative writing with writers, Michael Chaplin and David Almond
Radio Drama with writer, Michael Chaplin, and BBC Radio Producer, Eoin O'Callaghan
Mamma Mia/Les Misérables workshop with BA (Hons) Performing Arts graduate and West End performer, Jamie Birkett
Circus workshop with Bell and Bullock
Acting workshop with actor, Charlie Hardwick
Puppetry workshop with Puppetship
Children's theatre workshop with Children's theatre company, Bigfoot.

To further broaden your performance experience, we'll take you to see live performances at local theatres. Shows booked for 2023/24 include:

Cinderella: A Fairytale at Northern Stage
Aladdin at Customs House
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Sunderland Empire
The Mousetrap at Sunderland Empire
Shrek at Sunderland Empire
The Cold Buffet at Live Theatre
Three Acts of Love at Live Theatre.

Explore

Our media facilities: producing excellence

If you’re interested in media or film production, and getting hands-on with the latest technology, look no further than the University of Sunderland. In addition to our established equipment, you’ll have access to new and upgraded facilities, including our 4K-UHD virtual studio, broadcast standard HD TV studio, and our refreshed Spark Sunderland radio studio.

Careers in the creative industries

Are you considering a creative career? Do you wonder what it’s really like to work in the creative industries? This sector can offer you an exciting and varied career, where no day is the same and creative thinking is actively encouraged. There are so many creative job roles up for grabs and there’s something to suit everyone’s career goals.

Everything you need to know about studying Performing Arts

For anyone who has a passion for performing, a degree in Performing Arts can be your path to a fulfilling and hugely engaging career. Here at the University of Sunderland, our Performing Arts department has a proud history of delivering quality degrees that are an immersive, enlightening and interactive experience for students.

Five tips to get the most out of your Screen Performance degree

Our BA (Hons) Screen Performance course offers a good balance between performance, production, and theoretical knowledge and experience, preparing you for an exciting future in the performance and screen industries.