Theatre and Performance
The four-year BA in Theatre and Performance programme covers the historical and theoretical developments in drama and film, as well as the theoretical and practical study of theatre, performance, and cognate disciplines.
Overview
Career Opportunities
- Choreographer
- Critics
- Director
- Designer
- Performer
- Production and Arts Manager
- Teachers/Facilitators/Academics
- Theatre-Maker
- Theorists
- Writer
Curriculum
First-year
Course (A) is taken in the first semester and Course (B) in the second semester.
- Performance Practice IA AND IB ?
- Theatre and Production IA AND IB ?
- Film, Visual and Performing Arts IA AND IB
AND
A student is required to complete two semester courses in one of the following languages: isiZulu or Sesotho or South African Sign Language (SASL). If a student is proficient in any two of the three languages (isiZulu, Sesotho or SASL), the student is advised to do one of the following:
- register in a first-language stream for two courses in isiZulu or Sesotho,
- register for two courses in any one of the following: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish, or
- formally apply to the Dean for exemption from the requirement to register for a language subject. Where an exemption has been granted, students must add a course/s yielding at least 36 credits in a subject approved by Senate. A student may also be granted a credit if s/he has completed the same or an equivalent course.
Second-year
- Performance Practice IIA AND IIB ?
- Theatre and Production IIA AND IIB ?
- Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIA: Storytelling across media and cultural contexts ?
- Theatre and Performance Studies II
Third-year
Select four pairs of courses from the following: ?
- Design IIIA AND IIB ?
- Performance Studies IIIA AND IIIB ?
- Directing IIIA AND IIIB ?
- Applied Drama and Theatre Studies IIIA AND IIIB ?
- Media Studies IIIA AND IIIB ?
- Movement IIIA AND IIIB ?
- Performance Studies IIIA AND IIIB ?
- Introduction to Cultural Policy and Management ?
- Funding Context in Cultural and Creative Industries ?
- Writing IIIA AND IIIB ?
- Theatre and Performance IIIA: Performance Theory ?
- Theatre and Performance Studies IIIB: Studies in Theatre Practice ?
- Music Composition Studies IIIA AND IIIB ?
- Music Performance Studies IIIA AND IIIB ?
- Interactive Media IIIA ?
- Animation IIIA ?
- Theories of Art ?
- Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIIA: Aesthetics, Technologies and Commodity Cultures ?
- Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIIB: Medium, Process and Criticality ?
- Musical Theatre IIIA ?
- Musical Theatre IIIB
Fourth-year
Select one course from the following: ?
- Long Essay ?
- Research Project ?
- Drama Therapy Research Essay ?
- Applied Drama Research Essay
AND, ANY four courses from the following: ?
- Design IVA AND IVB ?
- Directing IVA AND IVB ?
- Applied Drama and Theatre Studies IVA AND IVB ?
- Movement IVA AND IVB ?
- Dramatic Literature and Production Studies IVA ?
- Directions in Cultural Leadership ?
- Interactive Media IV ?
- Film Studies IV
- Media Studies IVA AND IVB ?
- Writing IVA AND IVB ?
- Cultural Entrepreneurship ?
- Arts Marketing: Context, Strategies and Practices ?
- Dance, Culture and Education IVA AND IVB ?
- Animation IV
- Musical Theatre IVA AND IVB ?
- Performance Studies IV: Minor Study ?
- Music Performance Studies IV ?
- Key Moments in the 20th Century Arts: Tradition and Innovation ?
- Introduction to Drama Therapy
Entry Requirements
APS 34 +
English Home Language or First Additional Language Level 5
Waitlisting
Applicants with entry requirements of at least 30-33 APS points are wait-listed, subject to place availability.
International applicants
For specific international entry requirements, click here to view the full guidelines.
Additional Selection Criteria
足球竞彩app排名s must speak English as a Home Language or First Additional Language and must meet departmental selection procedures, which include auditions/interviews.
Bookings for Theatre and Performance auditions close in October 2026. www.wits.ac.za/undergraduate/apply-to-wits/
University Application Process
- The 足球竞彩app排名 Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
- Please click here for an overview of the application process.
- Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply.
- Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
- Once you have applied, an Admissions Consultant will be assigned to your application.
- Applicants can monitor the progress of their application/s via the Self Service Portal.
- Part-time students are not eligible for NSFAS funding, University Entrance Scholarships, or campus residence placement.
- If you are an international applicant and/or hold a foreign qualification, please click here.
Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.
University Fees and Funding
Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.
The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.