MA Theatre
MA in Theatre
PAC Code: MHK56
The MA in Theatre is designed for anyone planning a career in theatre. The programme offers opportunities for showcase performances, and the format of the workshops will aid the formation of new companies. International Students are welcome.
The MA in Theatre is a unique one-year programme open to theatre practitioners from a range of backgrounds; directors, producers, actors, designers, writers and those interested in planning a career in theatre. The programme is jointly delivered by the Gaiety School of Acting - the National Theatre School of Ireland and the School of English, Media and Theatre Studies at NUI Maynooth. The course combines taught academic seminars held at the NUI Maynooth campus and practical theatre workshops held in the Gaiety School of Acting at Smock Alley Theatre.
The MA in Theatre is a one year course taught over two semesters and a summer module.
Modules include:
- History of Theatre Production
- Theatre Practice
- Theatre Performance
- Contemporary Theatre Theory
- Performance Research Project
The theatre workshops explore theatre making as ensemble, where students will work as members of small experimental companies. Practical classes along with the student’s self-directed work operate alongside seminars linking both the academic and the practical. The workshop programme uses performance as a means of exploring the core texts and languages of theatre, focusing on space, time, body and visual and scripted play text.
Theatre Practice/Performance 1 explores devising for theatre from a visual, physical and textual perspective. Students participating in taught classes and self directed work will create and prepare short unique theatre pieces for assessment. Theatre Practice/Performance 2 offers classes in specific styles e.g. Commedia, Clowning, Stanislavsky, Dance Theatre, and all tutors are professionals working in a variety of theatre forms and from independent theatre companies.
Throughout the year students investigating the fundamental issues in theatre making will generate questions and arguments such as ‘the nature of theatrical space’, ‘remaking the body’, ‘the many languages of theatre’ among others for practical explorations, leading to assessment. The culmination of this exploration will be a major performance-based research project over the summer months. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to think and work like theatre professionals.
Theoretical seminars explore the history of theatrical production and theories from the Renaissance to the present day and are taught in the newly built Iontas Building on the Maynooth Campus. The questions generated by these seminars are taken to the practical modules where they will be explored through performance.
PROGRAMME DIRECTORS:
Professor Chris Morash is Head of the School of English, Media and Theatre Studies. He has taught theatre for more than twenty years, and has published widely and spoken internationally on Irish theatre. His History of the Theatre in Ireland: 1600-2000 (2002) has been widely acclaimed.
Patrick Sutton is Director of Ireland’s premier drama school, The Gaiety School of Acting-The National Theatre School of Ireland. The school was founded by Joe Dowling in 1986. Joe, a former artistic director of The Abbey Theatre, Dublin is currently Director of The Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and acts as Chairman of the school. Patrick has worked extensively as an actor in Ireland, England and France. Patrick is a former Director of Plymouth Action Community Theatre, The National Festival of Youth Theatres, Ireland, Wexford Arts Centre, and Artistic Director of TEAM Theatre Company. Patrick regularly teaches in USA and has taught at NYU, Julliard and at a range of other drama programmes across USA.
TO APPLY:
Applicants must have some background in theatre and should have an undergraduate degree preferably in theatre or in a cognate discipline. Exceptions may be made for prior learning/ work experience. Admission is by PAC (Postgraduate Applications Centre through the National University of Ireland Maynooth), workshop and interview. For international students an alternative provision for the workshop/ interview can be made but a PAC application must be completed by all applicants
Online application only at:
PAC Code: MHK56
Duration: 1 year full-time
Closing date: 20 June 2012
Commences: September 2012
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, MAYNOOTH INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
We have a dedicated International Office at Maynooth that can support you in areas of financial aid and general information about continuing your studies here at Maynooth.
For enquires regarding Financial aid please contact Alison Cooke alison.cooke@nuim.ie or you can find details at http://international.nuim.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate/fees/usa-financial-aid
For more details contact:
Tracy O’Flaherty
School of English, Media and Theatre Studies
NUI Maynooth,
Maynooth, Co. Kildare, IRELAND
semts@nuim.ie / +353 (0)1 708 3667
http://graduatestudies.nuim.ie/
To view our brochure please click here
Professor Chris Morash talks about the history of Smock Alley Theatre. Listen here.