Mountview’s MA in Theatre for Community and Education is a creative and challenging ensemble experience in the transformational power of theatre arts.
In a society where access to the arts is at risk of being marginalised, this course develops the next generation of interdisciplinary theatre practitioners who will lead the way in providing meaningful arts experiences for all.
The holistic programme is aimed at practitioners interested in the potential of theatre arts to address social, political and educational issues in a broad range of settings. It invites creative reflection into the power of storytelling for social transformation, considering the role of arts in education, migration and exile, health and building communities.
It is a professional training, vocational experience and a philosophical education, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, including those practicing in youth, community and/or education settings and performers looking to develop and diversify their career. Throughout the course you will develop critical skills in facilitating, devising, leading, producing, discussing and teaching creatively and imaginatively. Study involves workshops, lectures and seminars as well as independent collaborative and solo practice/research.
Teaching takes place one day a week with one long study weekend per term. The course is taught by a range of highly experienced practitioners and visiting tutors and offers a balance of theory and practice in its learning strategy. Lecturers hold expertise in a variety of areas, such as applied theatre, dramatherapy, diaspora consciousness, marketing and communications, international politics, funding community projects, and theatre in the criminal justice system.
Practical areas of study include collaborative and ensemble techniques, decolonial feminist approaches, forum theatre, arts for wellbeing, ritual theatre, trauma awareness, devised theatre, ecological transformation, and ethics in artistic practice. You will gain experience running theatre workshops in local schools in the Peckham area. You will also learn from a range of world class organisations such as Clean Break, Brixton House, Unicorn Theatre, Turtle Key Arts, Access all Areas and Candoco Dance Company. Assessments are varied and include essays, talks, education packs, presentations, practice and dissertation.
Students engage in a wide range of texts such as Theatre of the Oppressed by Augusto Boal, Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom by bell hooks, The Moving Body by Jacques Lecoq, Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldúa and Theatre for Living: The Art and Science of Community-Based Dialogue by David Diamond.
The dissertation project is defined by your area of interest and can be practice-based or written. Training may involve placements within a variety of world-class arts organisations, such as Springboard Youth Academy, Theatre Peckham, The Migration Museum, Raze Collective, the Tate Modern, Peckham Harris Secondary School, Radio Platfform and Rideout Creative Arts for Rehabilitation.
The course is led by Maria Askew, an award-winning theatre director, performing artist and educator who has worked internationally with groups and individuals from a broad range of sectors, including healthcare professionals, refugee and migrant communities, as well as in the creative/cultural industries, in education with schools, colleges and universities, and with NGOs and charities. Maria’s research explores the intersections between artistic, political, and social transformation.
The Master in Fine Art 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 the professional theatre and related industries.
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, master classes 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. Students can opt to take this course either part-time (24 months) or full-time (12 months).
Full-time and part-time students will take three concurrent modules in the first two terms. The final module (Module 5) 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 master classes from professional directors and theatre makers.
On completion of this postgraduate degree, you will qualify and graduate from Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin.
Applications are open for the fourth cohort of Diploma in Creative Producing (DipCP). The 16-week course will begin on the 20th February 2023 and run until 9th June 2023.
The CGO Institute DipCP programme is for aspiring creative producers of theatre and live performance. The course is cloud-based and designed for up to 12 practitioners who will work together and learn from a range of established UK and International arts professionals.
- The DipCP is open to creative producers working in all performing arts including: opera, live music, dance, circus, live art, musical theatre, and festivals.
- Many producers work across a portfolio of projects which may also encompass visual arts, publishing, and film. The course will not focus on these areas, but the skills taught will be transferable.
- The course is cloud-based, meaning it is run online via Zoom. This allows participants to participate from their own homes/work bases. Our hope is that participants will also meet ‘on the ground’ where possible.
- The course will be led by Chris Grady. Sessions, workshops and Q&As will be delivered by our Faculty, who all share a similar passion and vision for the role of the Creative Producer.
- The CGO Institute will help each participant find a mentor and local network. We support our students to build a creative network in their local area and specialism(s).
This musical theatre course, at Mechanics’ Performing Arts, is for those who wish to pursue a career in the ever expanding and increasingly popular industry of musical theatre. It is a unique course that focuses on rigorous training in the three art forms of dance, drama and singing, alongside vocational and academic study that supplements and supports the practical learning. There will be a wide range of opportunities for you to perform in our professional theatre, alongside chances to attend professional performances in both regional and national venues. You will be taught by industry experienced tutors alongside visiting professionals working in the West End and nationally.
This Acting programme, at Mechanics Performing Arts is for students who wish to study in a lively and challenging environment. As Acting students, you will have the opportunity to explore, develop and test your creativity within a qualification structure which is stimulating, demanding and provides a supportive transition into higher level study or employment in the performing arts industry. There will be a wide range of opportunities for you to perform in our professional theatre, alongside chances to attend professional performances in both regional and national venues. You will be taught by industry experienced tutors alongside visiting professionals working within the industry.
This study programme is for those who wish to pursue a career in dance and study in a vibrant and professional environment. All Mechanics’ Performing Arts courses have been created for any young person who is excited about developing a career in the creative industries.
This specialist qualification will enable you to apply for dance and performing arts degree programmes or audition directly for advanced training in the dance industry to specialist schools. Past students have progressed to a range of universities and colleges including, University Centre Wakefield, LIPA, Northern Contemporary Dance School, SLP, Bird College, Shockout Arts, Middlesex University, MADD.
You will also have the opportunity to go on theatre and dance trips and participate in workshops given by professional theatre companies and visiting practitioners.
Dance performance and choreography is a major part of the course, and you will have many opportunities to perform in the College theatre and at a range of external events and venues. The course will be enhanced by visiting practitioners and local dance companies. We have performed at Move It, Can You Dance, FRESH, Hepworth Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Production Park.
