Theatre and Digitality Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Theatre stages have for thousands of years been the home for stories of humans (and other creatures) and their worlds. Theatre and the Performing Arts can permeate the present, the past and the future alike, can build bridges through times, can zoom out or go into close-ups: onto hopes and dreams, enhancing wonders and abysses alike, looking through the surfaces of societies.

Please note: A prerequisite for admission is passing the artistic aptitude test (please see https://eignung.design.fh-dortmund.de/en).

Theatre, as an ever-contemporary art form, has at all times kept a curious and, at the same time, a critical eye on the inventions of new technologies — wondering whether these inventions could be interesting for being incorporated on its stages. Very often, the answer was "yes" (just think of electricity and cameras).

Theatre has always been created by storytellers with different expert knowledge. The Master "Theatre and Digitality" is therefore aimed at students with an either artistic or technical background (or both) — students who are interested in exploring theatrical narratives in context with technologies.

The Master "Theatre and Digitality" is an interdisciplinary, three-semester, English-language study at the Faculty of Design of Fachhochschule Dortmund — University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Graduates will be awarded the Master of Arts degree.

The study is implemented in cooperation of FH Dortmund's Faculty of Design, of the worldwide renowned Academy for Theatre and Digitality and FH Dortmund's Faculty of Computer Science.

Creativity, interdisciplinary expertise and critical thinking: The Master's programme "Theatre and Digitality" includes research and development in the field of digital-technologically supported theatre and performative art. With its curriculum between technology, storytelling, dramaturgy and performance, the study aims to provide students with a broad range of theoretical as well as practical and application-oriented, professionally qualifying skills in the intersection between digital technologies and narratives on analog, virtual and hybrid stages (including topics such as human-machine interfaces or the use of machine learning).

This is a thematic overview of the course contents. Detailed information on the exact names of the seminars, information on ECTS or semester hours per week can be found in the module handbook.

First semester

• Experimental Impromptu Projects (includes technical project support in fields such as XR, Machine Learning, Embedded Systems and Tracking/Capturing)
• Interaction between Stage Architecture and Society, Technology and Performing Arts

Second semester

• Digital Narration / Scenography
• Independent Projects
• Introduction to the History of Media Art

Third semester

• Career Orientation
• Artistic/Creative Project Supports Master's Thesis
• Master's Thesis

Academy for Theatre and Digitality (ATD), a division of Theater Dortmund: www.theater.digital

Degree requirements

A diploma or Bachelor's degree in fields such as Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Exhibition Design, Dramaturgy, Acting, Scenography, Object Theatre, Visual Media, Set Design, Performance, Film, Directing, Dance, and Theatre Studies, Applied Computer Science, Machine Learning, Actuators and Robotics, Creative Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Creative Coding, Theatre and Event Technology, Lighting Technology, Sound Technology, Video Technology or a comparable programme at a university that includes scenographic-design or IT-related technical components; or relevant artistic and creative aptitude for the programme.

Language requirement

The MA “Theatre and Digitality” programme is offered in English. Proof of sufficient English skills (C1) has to be provided by the applicants. In exceptional cases, the proof can be provided by an equivalent certificate or document. The respective committee will decide whether there is equivalence.

Artistic aptitude test


Proof of artistic and creative or technical aptitude is required for enrolment in this Master’s programme. In the assessment procedure, the applicants must prove that they have the artistic-creative or technical aptitude for the course of study, which allows the achievement of the study goals to be expected. The determination of the course-related aptitude is carried out twice a year in a two-level procedure. 

The application process for the MA “Theatre and Digitality” has two parallel arches:  

1) Registering with the central FH Dortmund application department. 
The process there starts with a so called “Self-Registration”.

https://portal.fh-dortmund.de/qisserver/pages/cs/sys/portal/hisinoneStartPage.faces?page=2&sessionlanguage=en

2) Registering with the Design Faculty page for the artistic aptitude examination AND uploading documents.

https://eignung.design.fh-dortmund.de/en

A semester contribution (social contribution) must be paid by each student per semester in order to be able to start or continue their studies at Fachhochschule Dortmund.

Please find more detailed information here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/semesterbeitrag.php?loc=en-US.

Please find some helpful information on the cost of living in Dortmund here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/kosten-finanzierung.php?loc=en-US.

The Fachhochschule Dortmund provides an online job market, where students can find jobs related and unrelated to their studies, internships in Germany and abroad, Bachelor's or Master's thesis topics and graduate positions. Please find more information here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stellenmarkt.php?loc=en-US.

Please find all information on scholarship possibilities here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stipendien.php?loc=en-US.

Some more information on support programmes for international students can be found here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/foerderprogramme/studienfinanzierung-fuer-internationale-studierende.php?loc=en-US.

The Fachhochschule Dortmund's International Career Service (ICS) will accompany you on your way — from initial orientation to successful entry into the German job market.

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/international-career-service/index.php?loc=en-US

Please find information on accommodation possibilities in Dortmund here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/wohnen.php?loc=en-US.