Theatre Programme
June 5 - July 10, 2027
Class size:
Maximum 15; average 5-7
Eligibility:
GPA of 3.0 usually required
Credits:
8*
Typical assessment:
Public performance; class performance; written papers
Fee:
$6,400
Transcript:
Franklin & Marshall College
If you have a keen interest in theatre and performance, enrolling on ASE’s Theatre Programme allows you to devote yourself to fully learning, rehearsing, and performing throughout five weeks with both British and American professors and practitioners.
ASE’s Theatre Programme runs alongside our Main Programme, and all students share historic housing, use of ASE’s Study Centre, and have the opportunity to attend day trips to Glastonbury, Stonehenge, and Oxford.
Theatre Programme students spend two days in Stratford-upon-Avon, attending performances by the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, visiting the properties connected with Shakespeare's life, and enjoying a backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. They also visit London, including The Globe, to get a taste of theatre in the Capital, and see a rich variety of amateur and professional productions at Bath- and Bristol-based venues throughout their five-week stay.
The Theatre Programme comprises two courses:
A Core Course, Not Just Shakespeare: British Theatre History
A Practical Performance Course, Acting, British Style.
Theatre Programme classes take place at The Mission Theatre, a venue at the heart of the city of Bath housing a large, well-equipped main auditorium suitable for end-on, thrust, or in-the-round productions for up to 100 audience members. Theatre Programme culminates in a public performance of work produced and devised during the term.
Classes are taught collaboratively by a professor from one of ASE's US affiliate institutions, and/or by British faculty and theatre practitioners.
In 2026, the US professor is: Chris Woodworth, Professor of Theatre, Hobart and William Smith Colleges cwoodworth@hws.edu
Courses Available
Teaching, Learning, & Assessment
Timetable
Classes are held daily from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays reserved for study trips and whole-programme trips. An integral part of the Theatre Programme is attending a range of professional and amateur theatre productions in the Bath and Bristol area on week nights, and the cost of all tickets is included in the fee.
Credits & Programme Structure
ASE recommends four credits for each of our summer courses, giving a total of eight credits for the summer term.
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that their chosen programme satisfies the credit requirements of their home campus.
Assessment
Typical assessment for Theatre Programme consists of:
Class and final public performance
Creative journals
Written papers
Exact assessment methods and criteria may vary according to the needs of the individual course.
Transcripts are provided by Franklin & Marshall College.
Application & Eligibility
How to Apply
Applications can be made directly to ASE through the online form on our Apply page.
Pre-application enquiries or expressions of interest can be made through our Contact page.
The deadline for applications is Monday, February 15, 2027.
GPA Requirements
Students applying to summer school normally require a minimum GPA of 3.0. However, ASE will consider applicants with a lower GPA upon the receipt of two letters of recommendation that make a persuasive case for the suitability of a student.
Minimum Enrolment
Courses will only run if there is a viable level of enrolment. Acceptance to courses cannot be guaranteed, but every effort will be made to provide students with the courses of their choice.
Should the Theatre Programme not reach the minimum required enrolment, all enrolled students will be offered a place on our Main or Education Programmes. If the student does not wish to accept a place on either of those programmes, their deposit and all fees will be returned.
“Getting to see plays at Stratford was an amazing experience, and the backstage tour was great fun!”
— Megan Minogue, Boston College