Course Summary
The M.F.A. in Theatre Directing programme is the first entirely practiced-based Masters programme of its kind in Ireland. This programme is tailored to provide talented individuals with the necessary skills to pursue a career in professional theatre and related industries. This has a maximum class size of 4 people (full-time).
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
The application for the programme must be submitted through the specific form available through the Trinity College Dublin website. The online form includes sections where applicants can submit:
a) Résumé/CV: a directing CV, clearly listing education, experience in theatre and theatre directing,
b) References: two reference/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 from Trinity College Dublin,
c) Personal Statement (max. 500 words): In this section, you may include why you wish to attend The Lir Academy, and why you wish to pursue a masters degree. You may expand on this statement within your Statement of Purpose, or you may elect to include this information on the former and indicate in the Personal Statement section that you will do so.
In addition to the information required on the online form submitted through Trinity College Dublin, you are also required to upload a copy of each of the following through the Additional Documents section on the application form:
a) 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. Please note, however, that applicants will require some
theatre directing experience to be accepted on to the course,
b) 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,
c) Portfolio: outlining your theatre and directing work. We accept portfolios as PDFs, websites or in any other convenient format,
d) Critical Assessment: a critical assessment essay of recently directed work. This is an analysis of a production directed by the applicant. It is an overall evaluation of the process; from the initial artistic impulse, ambitions for the work, pre-production plans and the development of the work; an analysis of the director's process when working with designers, actors, and the production team, and finally a reflection and critical analysis of the work achieved and any learning outcomes.
It would be extremely helpful if you could name the files according to the following format when uploading: NameLastnamePortfolio, NameLastnameCV etc.
Application Details
Fees
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Career Progression
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.