MA Directing (Theatre Directing)

This course is for students looking to develop their creative talents as a Theatre Director. Students will discover new techniques, such as pedagogical approaches and theory for actor coaching, as well as develop an understanding of the wider aspects of being a creative, such as marketing, research, and production management.

A unique aspect of this course is the industry mentorship model, whereby each term the student will be supervised by a different industry mentor. This will enable the student to achieve a high level of personal, as well as subject-specific, development throughout the MA; it will also facilitate the undertaking of specialist projects within the modules offered on the course.
The course is broken down into three parts.

1. Approaches
In the first trimester, students will focus on new skills and approaches, such as research methodologies, rehearsal techniques, marketing and production management. The students will contextualise these new skills within their own disciplines and areas of interest.

2. Collaboration
In the second trimester students have the opportunity to engage in their practice in a collaborative, supportive environment. In the module ‘Developing New Work’ students will also develop an understanding and appreciate of current critical debates surrounding theatre and the dramaturgical process. They will gain further insight into the craft of directing by undertaking an ‘assistant’ role on a live brief on one of our many undergraduate projects with a professional theatre director.

3. The Professional
In the final trimester students will apply the knowledge and understanding learnt in the previous trimesters into one large-scale project, taking responsibility for all aspects from pre-production onwards. This will culminate students presenting their work to a public audience and invited industry audience, providing opportunities to network and garner footage for their future portfolios.