Theatre Directing

One-Year Postgraduate Diploma Course in Theatre Directing Autumn Intake

Overview

The course concentrates on a rigorous approach to text in performance, understanding the actor’s process, collaborating with writers and other artists and the development of a unique voice through the making of informed creative and practical choices. Throughout the course the emphasis is on learning through practice, including directing two public productions.

Term One

In the first term each student fully participates in Acting, Movement and Voice classes in order to gain a working knowledge of the actor’s craft. Additionally the directing students attend seminars focusing on play analysis and interpretation and rehearsal processes. Other assignments include performing with acting students, detailed practitioner research, and directing short text-based pieces with professional actors for performance within the Academy.

Term Two

In the second term each student assists a professional director on a third year production and directs a one-act play using professional actors, presented as a public production in a public venue. This term also sees the fruition of the dramaturgy project, in which the directing students write/script-edit and direct each other’s short plays under the guidance of an experienced professional literary manager such as Ben Jancovich (National Theatre/Hampstead Theatre/Arvon Foundation). Seminars and workshops include more analysis of plays, casting, working with stage and lighting and sound designers, theatre technicians and movement directors, marketing and running a company. Some students choose to attend classes in Musical Theatre and assist on musical theatre shows.

Some students go on placements around the Easter break. Hosts have included the Gate Theatre, the Kings Head, Graeae, the Dende Collective, Theatre Clwyd, Bolton Octagon and the BAC.

Term Three

In the third term each student directs a fully supported full-length play with professional actors, designers and publicity, presented as a public production in a central London venue such as the Cockpit Theatre (2009). Each directing student is allocated a leading professional director who will observe his or her work and offer career development advice.

In this term Directing students also collaborate with lighting and other technical theatre students to explore creative partnerships. Other seminar topics may include radio drama, adaptations and subjects of particular interest to the student body.

Graduate Employment

Recent graduates have been or currently are employed at the RSC (several assistant directors), the Royal National Theatre (several assistant directors and National Studio placements), The Royal Court Theatre, The Gate, The Bush Theatre, The Almeida, Manchester Royal Exchange, the Old Vic, the Young Vic, the Donmar Warehouse, Welsh National Opera, ENO, Theatre Clwyd. Many are also very active on the Fringe, forming companies to create new work.

In 2007 two graduates from 2004 were recipients of the prestigious Jerwood Directing Award (Young Vic) and the Bulldog Princep Award (RNT).

Teaching and mentoring is delivered by resident and freelance staff and leading professional theatre practitioners from various disciplines. These have included: Dominic Cooke (Royal Court/RSC), Paul Arditti (sound designer), Tim Baker (Theatr Clwyd), Ben Jancovich (RNT/Arvon Foundation), Fiona Buffini (RSC), Giles Croft (Nottingham Playhouse), Sacha Wares (Royal Court) Ian Rickson (Royal Court/National Theatre), Indhu Rubasingham, Abigail Morris (Soho Theatre), Sam Jones (RSC), James McDonald (Royal Court), Paul Miller (RNT)