Diploma Programme

Introduction

Since the inception, many years ago, of the Nigeria Home Video Industry, the deregulation of the Broadcast Industry leading to the establishment of more private, public, and Community Radio and Television Studios, Cultural Centres, and Community Development Theatre and NGOs, the demand for middle-level qualified theatre technicians, studio personnel, designers, film actors, producers, directors, editors, decorators, drama teachers and production managers, has increased.

In addition, it is common knowledge that there are quite a good number of candidates seeking admission into Theatre Arts Department with relatively low Jamb Result, but who in our opinion may be qualified to pursue a Diploma Course in Theatre Arts.

We have observed that many students offered admission into Theatre Arts Department through the supplementary admission exercise, rarely have interest in Theatre Arts studies but often use the Department as a stepping-stone into the University. Majority of them constitute a problem to the Department. They sometimes cannot fit into the Department’s planned programmes. It is therefore our fervent belief that with a Diploma Course in Theatre Arts studies, we can also breed a good number of students to fit into the main/regular undergraduate programme.

It should be noted that in the South East, no University, College of Education or Polytechnic offers Diploma or NCE in Theatre Arts studies. Therefore, it becomes a matter of urgency that Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, should establish such a programme in Theatre Arts studies; the first ever in the South-East geo-political zone to meet the above mentioned demands in Nigeria and aid in the positive development of the culture and entertainment industry.

 

The Philosophy of the Diploma Programme

            The Diploma Programme is intended to provide comprehensive training for potential theatre artists in the theory and practice of the performing and media arts. It is designed to emphasize on practical theatre with supportive theory in the various areas of Theatre Profession and Entertainment Industry. The combination of theory and emphasis on practical training offered, will enable the students analyze, practice and communicate African and World performance idioms and also to practice the various trajectories of the arts of the theatre in general as obtainable in the literary, performing and media arts.

Objectives of the Programme

The aims and objectives of a Diploma Programme in Theatre Studies will be:

  • To provide students with adequate knowledge, skills and understanding of theatre practice and related functional discipline.
  • To train and produce sustainable professional theatre technicians, actors, costume/make-up artists, scenic construction personnel, producers, directors, managers, presenters, writers, dancers and allied personnel.
  • To produce middle-cadre personnel that can administer and manage the technologies of Radio, Television, Film Studios (Stations), Cultural Centres, Publishing and Newspaper Houses, Advertising and Public Relations Agencies and Production Companies.
  • To produce Community Development Officers for Local Governments; who carry out informative and National Orientation duties- like (N.O.A) and other communicative and grassroots educational programmes. It is also hoped that they can establish and control, or join other NGOs for community development and social mobilization programmes.
  • To prepare students for competence in Theatre Arts as a base for further studies in it.
  • To enhance students’ acquaintance with play production processes and dynamics for the entertainment and enlightenment of both the University and the Nigerian audience.

Funding

This is in line with the current university approved fees for existing Diploma Programmes.

            The Diploma Programme is self-sustaining and will enhance our internally generated revenue. The students, subject to approval by SENATE and COUNCIL and subject to annual review shall pay the following fees:

(a) Purchase of Form (online)-   N6,000.00

(b) Tuition                             – N30, 000.00 new students

(c) Other Charges                  – N7, 000

(d) Any other fees considered necessary by

the University.

Remuneration

  1. Staff involved in the teaching, training and supervision of students for course work, practial/field work shall be paid some Honorarium based on his/her rank.
  2. Honorarium shall also be paid to the Administrative/Secretarial staff in the Department for services rendered in the Diploma Programme.
  3. The remuneration (35%) for these staff will be based on the existing criteria approved by the University.

 

Sharing of Revenue between University and Theatre Arts Department

  1. All the revenue realized from the Programme shall be shared at the following ratio: 30% to Theatre Arts Department for improvement of facilities, 35% to the University, and 35% for honorarium to qualified staff.
  1. The 30% for the improvement of facilities shall be paid into the Theatre Arts Department account at the Bursary, which shall be operated and managed on behalf of Theatre Arts Department by the Head of Department and the Coordinator of the Diploma Programme with the approval of the Departmental Board. It is expected that required facilities not available at present shall be procured from this revenue. Similarly, available facilities shall be maintained and replenished from the accruing revenue.

Entry Requirements

            Every candidate for Theatre Arts studies must possess one of the under-listed minimum qualifications:

(a). At least Five Credits level passes at SSCE/GCE/NECO or other equivalent examination in English language, Literature-in-English and three other related subjects, at not more than two sittings.

(b). OND, HND in any related field of the Arts with Upper Credit Level Pass

Procedure for Selecting Candidates

  1. Entrance by way of written tests and/ or admission auditions will be held for every shortlisted candidate before actual admission.
  2. The auditions shall be held ONE MONTH before the admission letters are written.

Transition into the B.A (Hons) Regular Degree Programme

For candidates to gain entry into the B.A. (Hons) Degree Programme in Theatre Arts, he/she must have satisfactorily completed the prescribed Diploma Programme and maintained an Upper Credit Level Pass. The CGPA must not be lower than the University Minimum Entry Requirement for Direct Entry admission.  The successful candidates shall be admitted through Direct Entry to join the Degree programme at Year Two (200 level).

Syllabus/Scope of the Programme

The syllabus for the full-time four (4) – semester programme is planned to cover, in an integrated course design system, the following:

  • The Artiste in performance
  • Voice and Speech Arts
  • Music, Dance and Choreography
  • Costume and Make-up Designing
  • Acting Techniques for the Stage, Radio, TV and Films
  • Stage, Radio, Television and Film  Directing
  • Scriptwriting for the Stage, Radio, TV  and Films
  • Stagecraft (Lighting, Sound, Scenography, Architecture, Effects, Carpentry, Painting, Décor, Pyrotechnics etc.)
  • Applied Theatre
  • Entrepreneurial Studies in Theatre Arts
  • Theatre Management and Administration Procedures
  • Children’s Theatre and Creative Dramatics
  • Theatre for Development: Theory and Practice
  • General Journalistic Principles and Media Practice

Facilities

Facilities will be as used for the regular undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The University Auditorium and the new studio at the Permanent Site when completed, will accommodate the students for both practical and theoretical studies. It is also hoped that the open grounds in the permanent site will provide space for some practical production exercise pending when a befitting theatre architectural structure is constructed for the Department.

It should be pointed out here that the Theatre Arts Department lacks facilities like:

  1. A proper theatre house architecturally designed with spaces and studios for public shows and professional theatre practice.
  2. Voice and speech laboratories. The Department has depended on the Laboratory meant for Mass Communication and Languages Department for practical voice training.
  3. Scene shop to serve as construction bay for “props” and as laboratory for vital training in theatre crafts.

 

Job/Educational Opportunities

Graduates of the Diploma in Theatre Arts programme can proceed to a first Degree in the Arts as Direct Entry candidates, or return, (terminally trained) to the film industry, Radio and Television studios (stations), as producers and actors, designers, broadcasters, and production personnel. They may be absorbed in the Tourism Boards, Information and Communication Ministries and Parastatals, Museums, Cultural Centres, National Archives, NGOs as Cultural Officers, Planners and administrators of grassroots programmes. They may also become independent entrepreneurs as self-employed Theatre Technologists, Dancers, Actors, Scriptwriters, Producers, Printers, Publishers, Newspaper Media Agents/Aides, Educational Dramatists for Schools, Churches and Children Groups, Showbiz Executives, Concept Developers and Client Officers In Advertising and Public Relations, Corporate Affairs Managers as well as Special Events Managers and Product Promoters.

GRADING SYSTEM

TABLE OF GRADING

 

Percentage Scores                 Grades                                    Point

70        –           100                              A                                 5

60        –           69                                B                                 4

50        –           59                                C                                 3

45        –           49                                D                                 2

40        –           44                                E                                  1

0          –           39                                F                                  0

 

GRADE OF AWARD OF DIPLOMA CERTIFICATE

CUMULATIVE  GRADE POINT CLASS OF DIPLOMA

Average (C.G.P.A.)

4.50     –           5.00                                                     Distinction

3.50     –           4.49                                                     Upper Credit

2.00     –           3.49                                                     Lower Credit

1.00     –           1.99                                                     Pass

Below  –           1.00                                                     Fail

 

The class of the certificate shall be based on the average numerical point earned at the end of each semester as well as at the end of an academic session. The Final Cumulative Grade Point is then calculated at the end of the two-year programme.

Nature of the Diploma Certificate

The Diploma Certificate shall be an equivalent of National Diploma as approved by N.U.C. and Federal Ministry of Education.

Age Limit

The minimum age limit for admission into the programme is 18 years.

Number of Students

            The Programme shall admit one hundred students’ or as many as are qualified each academic year. Ten percent (10%) of the admission into the Degree Programme of the Theatre Arts Department shall be reserved annually to the Diplomats strictly in the order of merit.

The Standard Four (4) Semester Programme

It is made up of Departmental, and general University wide Courses totalling Seventy-Two (72) credits spread into four (4) semesters.