Theatre Directing - The Lir Academy
undefined

Trinity College Dublin

Theatre Directing - The Lir Academy

Course Overview
The M.F.A. in Theatre Directing programme is the first entirely practiced-based Masters programme of its kind in Ireland. It was introduced following extensive consultation with the Irish theatre community and is a direct response to the stated needs of the industry and of talented emerging artists. This innovative course is taught in the newly established The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College Dublin, which is the professional training institution of the School of Creative Arts.

Throughout the training, students will also develop skills of the practitioners of theatre other than the theatre director, with a view to becoming proficient in and conversant with the creativity of others, and to enhance the craft of the student director by broadening their experience of theatre making. Students will explore the crafts of the actor, designer, stage manager, production manager and stage technician through workshops with teachers and professionals in the various disciplines.

Is This Course For Me?
If you have a passion for theatre and are interested in the collaborative process of creating a production, from concept to completion, you should consider the M.F.A. in Theatre Directing. Theatre Directing combines the skills of leadership, management, and artistic creativity to bring a production to life.

Course Structure
Students can opt to take this course either part-time (over 24 months) or full-time (over 12 months).

Full-time and part-time students will take three concurrent modules in the first two terms. The final module will be taught in the third term and subsequent summer months (for full-time students) or in the second year of the course (for part-time students) and will culminate with a professional production staged in one of The Lir’s performance studios. Term Three will be supplemented by an ongoing series of masterclasses from professional directors and theatre-makers.

Course Content
Students on the M.F.A. in Theatre Directing will take four compulsory modules, Contemporary Theatre Practice, Directing Workshop Theatre Production and Drama for Theatre Directing.

In addition to the core classes and workshops, individual and group tuition from The Lir’s Head of Directing will be a key feature of the training. In addition, masterclasses by visiting practitioners will supplement the student experience. Professional placements are a key feature of the programme and all students will showcase their work in public performances at the culmination of the course.

Subjects taught

Contemporary Theatre Practice
This compulsory module will introduce students to a range of contemporary theatre practices. It will focus on Irish and international artists and companies, with a particular emphasis on contemporary productions staged in the theatres of Dublin. The principal aim of the course is to enable students to become conversant in the styles, forms, theories and practices that constitute contemporary theatre making in Ireland and across the world. The Contemporary Theatre Practice module is shared by all Master in Fine Art students (directors, designers and playwrights).

Directing Workshop
In this compulsory module students will investigate various directing processes in a workshop format. Students will work with The Lir’s Head of Directing and visiting directors, as well as professional and student actors. Students will receive both group feedback and individual tuition in the development of their craft. Workshops will cover such areas as: text and a creative world-view; developing an awareness of the professional directing context; developing an explicit, personal aesthetic; working collaboratively with actors and other artists. This module also outlines career development and provides a constructive framework for group and self critique. It introduces research skills and rehearsal etiquette by working in a professional environment. The overall aim of this module is to prepare students to direct a play in the Theatre Production Module.

Theatre Production
This compulsory module aims to enable students to apply the skills acquired in the other Modules to the development of their individual creative voice and practice, and in the direction of a theatre performance of between 30-60 minutes which will be showcased to the professional industry as part of The Lir’s on-going programme of public performances and events. Each student will be individually supervised in pre-production, rehearsals, tech and public performances throughout Term Three and over the summer months. Two Assistant Director placements working alongside professional theatre directors will form a key component of the preparation for the final production.

Dramaturgy for Theatre Directing
This elective module is taught by a professional dramaturge. Its aim is to introduce students to a range of dramatic texts for the theatre with an emphasis on the dramaturgical composition of those texts. An understanding of the contexts within which those dramaturgical strategies were produced will also be fostered. This seminar-based module requires students to examine key problems related to the creation and structure of scripts for performance. Students will consider a variety of theories regarding dramatic structure, consider the research requirements of script creation, explore different approaches to script development and learn to apply a dramaturgical vocabulary to a number of case studies. Similar to the Contemporary Theatre Practice module, Dramaturgy is shared with MFA playwriting students (for whom it is a compulsory module) and MFA design students (for whom it is an elective module) and is supported by specific tutorials focusing on each individual strand of the MFA programme.

Throughout the training students will be develop skills of the practitioners of theatre other than the theatre director, with a view to them becoming proficient in and conversant with the creativity of others, and to enhance the craft of the student director by broadening their experience of theatre making. Students will explore the crafts of the actor, designer, stage manager, production manager and stage technician through workshops with teachers and professionals in the various disciplines.

Entry requirements

In addition to the information required on the online form, you are also required to upload a copy of the following:

- Letter of application – a letter that outlines your theatre education and theatre directing experience to date (this may also include experience in other areas of theatre as well as directing in film). Applicants are required to have some theatre directing experience to be accepted onto the course.

- Statement of purpose – a statement outlining your ambitions in terms of theatre directing. In this you can include what theatre is to you, why you have chosen a career in theatre directing, the work you want to make, why you want to pursue a MFA in Theatre Directing and your future plans.

- Resume – a CV clearly listing your education and experience in theatre and theatre directing.

- Portfolio – a portfolio of your theatre and directing work. We accept portfolios as PDFs, websites or in any other convenient format.

- Critical assessment – a critical assessment of recently directed work. This is an analysis of a production directed by the applicant. It is an overall evaluation of their process; from the initial artistic impulse, their ambitions for the work, their pre-production plans and the development of the work, an analyses of their process when working with designers, actors, and the production team, and finally a reflection and critical analyses of the work achieved and any learning outcomes.

- Two references – two references or testimonials; one from those familiar with your work and one from third level education. It is a good idea to reach out and ensure that those uploading your references are aware of your application and have received the notification to upload their testimonial.

Application dates

Closing Date: 31st July 2024.

Apply
Please click on "Application Weblink" above.

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Enrolment dates

Next Intake: September 2024.

Post Course Info

Career Opportunities
This programme is tailored to provide talented individuals with the necessary skills to pursue a career in the professional theatre and related industries. Many now work as practitioners in the creative industries (in roles such as playwrights, producers, performers, facilitators); others go onto further study at Ph.D. level and begin careers in academia. Graduates are also eminently suited to fields such as publishing, broadcasting, or education.

More details
  • Qualification letters

    M.F.A.

  • Qualifications

    Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ)

  • Attendance type

    Full time,Part time,Daytime

  • Apply to

    Course provider