Mountview is currently the only UK drama school to offer Directing, Dramatic Writing and Producing as three distinct, specialised pathways within a single, unified Creative Practice MA framework. The course is designed for multi-hyphenate practitioners who are excited by collaboration and meeting the demands of the twenty-first century creative industries.
By bringing directors, writers and producers into one ecosystem, the course mirrors the professional world by fostering creative partnerships through shared engagement with modes of collaboration, creative enterprise, dramatic structures and critical contexts.
Students on the Dramatic Writing pathway develop an in-depth knowledge of dramatic structures and the core competencies for writing across different forms and styles. The course develops an understanding and critical awareness of current practice through engagement with industry practitioners and academics. You will be mentored by award-winning playwright Roy Williams OBE (Death of England National Theatre, Sucker Punch Royal Court), who oversees aspects of the course as Distinguished Visiting Artist.
The course concludes with the opportunity to put your learning into practice through the staging of a public facing, fully-realised festival of new work. VIEW Festival allows students to develop their pathway specific skills while also collaborating closely with the Producing, Directing and Performance students.
Our MA Creative Practice graduates leave with an established network of industry contacts and prepared for high-impact careers as Playwrights, Screenwriters, Dramaturgs, Directors, Creative Leaders, Theatre Makers, Artistic Directors, Commercial and Independent Producers and Venue Leaders.
STAFF AND PRACTITIONERS
The Creative Practice teaching team is led by Hamish Pirie and Dawn Ingleson as Joint Course Leaders, alongside Roy Williams as Distinguished Visiting Artist. Dawn worked extensively at the National Theatre as a creative producer and has also taught at LSBU, while Hamish’s directing credits include work at the Royal Court, Donmar Warehouse, Paines Plough and Traverse Theatre. Roy is a multi-award winning writer whose credits include Death of England: The Plays (National Theatre), The Lonely Londoners (Kiln and Jermyn Street Theatre) and Sucker Punch (Royal Court, Olivier Award nomination).
In addition to working alongside the core teaching team, MA Creative Practice students also benefit from industry masterclasses specific to their pathway, led by the world’s most prestigious creative powerhouses. Recent MA Creative Practice sessions have featured:
Interested in studying a performing arts subject at university in 2027?
A three-day residential summer school
28th - 30th July 2026
Engage in a taste of first year life. Experience student accommodation. Explore LIPA and Liverpool. GET SET to take the next step.
What do you do on Get Set?
Is Get Set for you?
This summer school is for students who are currently in Year 12 or equivalent and will be under the age of 18 at the end of July 2026. To join us you must also meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
Illuminate Drama Teacher CPD Day is back for its fifth year on the South Coast!
Join us in person for a full day of inspiring workshops, featuring exciting opportunities to meet and talk with theatre education specialists, industry professionals, and fellow drama teachers.
This year we will have three workshops throughout the day that will each take a deep dive into different practices over the course of two hours. You will get to partake in all the following workshops:
Workshops will take place across both of our venues: Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios.
There will also be the exclusive opportunity to see Blood Brothers at Mayflower Theatre for an additional £20 to round off a theatrical and inspiring day!
Please note spaces are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis. Payment must be made before Friday 19 December 2026 otherwise your place will be released.
A chance to spend a few days exploring drama at the Unity, meet new friends, enjoy games, creating characters, puppetry and more with brilliant practitioners. All abilities welcome.
AGES: 9-12 YEAR OLDS
WHEN: 27 & 28TH JULY | 10.30 -4pm
WHERE: Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, L1 9BG
Week 1 of Summer:
Jersey Week 1 (8-21years): Tuesday 21st July - Sunday 26th 2026
Week 2 of Summer:
Jersey Week 2 (8-21years): Tuesday 28th - Sunday 2nd August 2026
Brighton Week 1 (Year 3-13): Tuesday 28th - Sunday 2nd August 2026
Brighton Weeny Week 1 (Reception to Year 12): Wednesday 29th July - Sunday 2nd August 2026
Week 3 of Summer:
Brighton Week 2 (Year 3-13): Tuesday 4th August - Sunday 9th August 2026
Brighton Weeny Week 2 (Reception- Year 2): Wednesday 5th August - Sunday 9th August 2026
Birmingham (Year 3- Year 13): Tuesday 4th August - Saturday 8th August 2026
Birmingham Weeny (Reception- Year 12): Wednesday 5th August - Saturday 8th August 2026
Week 4 of Summer:
Watford Summer School (7- 18years): Monday 10th August - Friday 14th August 2026
Watford Weeny Summer School (4-6years): Tuesday 11th August - Friday 14th August 2026
Week 5 of summer:
Saffron Walden (Year 3- 11): Monday 17th August - Saturday 21st August 2026
Join us this summer to create a brand-new piece of theatre at Tobacco Factory Theatres.
Designed for people aged 11–13,, this exciting week-long course invites young creatives to collaborate, experiment and bring their ideas to life.
Working with a friendly team of experienced theatre practitioners, young people will spend five days developing an original performance from scratch. Together we’ll devise scenes, create characters, write scripts, design sets and build props — all while developing performance skills through games and practical exercises.
The week will culminate in a performance in our professional Factory Theatre on Friday 21 August 2026 at 4pm.
This is a brilliant opportunity for young people interested in drama and theatre-making to get creative, have fun and collaborate on a performance.
Whether you’re a theatre fanatic or interested in trying something new, we’d love to welcome you to Summer School 2026!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Working with a professional creative team, you will rehearse here at the theatre each day. The sessions will be full of creative games, practical exercises, and theatre-making activities, where you will work as an ensemble to create a new piece of theatre. Bring your ideas, enthusiasm, and energy!
The Summer School will include:
Join us this summer to create a brand-new piece of theatre at Tobacco Factory Theatres.
Designed for people aged 14–18, this exciting week-long course invites young creatives to collaborate, experiment and bring their ideas to life.
Working with a friendly team of experienced theatre practitioners, young people will spend five days developing an original performance from scratch. Together we’ll devise scenes, create characters, write scripts, design sets and build props — all while developing performance skills through games and practical exercises.
The week will culminate in a performance in our professional Factory Theatre on Friday 21 August 2026 at 4pm.
This is a brilliant opportunity for young people interested in drama and theatre-making to get creative, have fun and collaborate on a performance.
Whether you’re a theatre fanatic or interested in trying something new, we’d love to welcome you to Summer School 2026!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Working with a professional creative team, you will rehearse here at the theatre each day. The sessions will be full of creative games, practical exercises, and theatre-making activities, where you will work as an ensemble to create a new piece of theatre. Bring your ideas, enthusiasm, and energy!
The Summer School will include:
Join us for a week of drama games, storytelling and prop-making at Tobacco Factory Theatres!
Designed for children aged 8-10, this exciting week-long course invites young people to develop their drama skills through games, imaginative play, role-play, and storytelling.
Guided by a friendly creative team of experienced theatre practitioners, children will work together to invent their own characters, create scenes, explore imaginary worlds and design their own props and costumes.
The days will be fun, playful and imaginative, with a range of creative, physical and craft activities.
Join us on the final day, Friday 14th August at 3.30pm for an informal performance of what we’ve explored throughout the week.
WHAT TO EXPECT
As it’s summer, we will also take a daily trip to the local park for fresh air and outdoor games!
Join us for a week of drama games, storytelling and prop-making at Tobacco Factory Theatres!
Designed for children aged 5-7, this exciting week-long course invites young people to develop their drama skills through games, imaginative play, role-play, and storytelling.
Guided by a friendly creative team of experienced theatre practitioners, children will work together to invent their own characters, create scenes, explore imaginary worlds and design their own props and costumes.
The days will be fun, playful and imaginative, with a range of creative, physical and craft activities.
Join us on the final day, Friday 14th August at 3.30pm for an informal performance of what we’ve explored throughout the week.
WHAT TO EXPECT
As it’s summer, we will also take a daily trip to the local park for fresh air and outdoor games!
Unity Theatre are offering a 2 day theatre workshop for kids this July!
A chance to spend a few days exploring drama at the Unity, meet new friends, enjoy games, create characters, puppetry and more with brilliant practitioners. All abilities welcome.
Date: 27 & 28 July
Time: 10.30am - 4.00pm
Location: Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, L1 9BG
