MFA Directing

The aim of this module is to develop theoretical understanding and knowledge as well as practical experience of theatre directing through the production of extended scenes. You will attend master classes in a variety of areas (including rehearsal techniques, staging, communicating with actors) which will provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary challenges and approaches for directors, and you will undertake to direct at least two extended scenes of increasing complexity.

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The aim of this module is to develop practical applications of understanding and knowledge in live theatre production. The module will begin with a placement or case study, which will allow you to examine the professional practice of a company or a theatre artist in depth, and will culminate with a preview performance of your own festival production. You will have individual mentor support, which will underpin your ability to plan, negotiate and lead this project through to completion.

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This module will focus on theatre design, on the elements of visual and sound design and on how directors use these elements to express conceptual ideas in the process of practical play production. By the end of this module you will have a cohesive working knowledge of how directors present a concept to a company and to designers; how to discuss theatrical design and its impact on production and be able to communicate effectively with key stakeholders in the production process.

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Beginning with an intensive week of instruction (20 hours), you will focus on developing a critical understanding of the elements of dramatic story-telling (character, dialogue, plot, visuals, theme, etc.), language and tropes and on the varieties of dramatic structure – from simple chronological narrative to more sophisticated techniques of time-manipulation and exploitation of suspense. You will face a set of project-based challenges in order to consolidate your learning. You will have regular tutorials throughout the trimester to monitor progress and discuss ideas, and each project will have observation/mentoring time as agreed (6 hours) through weekly tutorials and rehearsals. Each of these project-based challenges will be set with increasing time requirements. Examples might include:

A two-minute opening ‘montage’ with minimal dialogue, adapted from a painting, sculpture or piece of music.
A three-minute scene adapted from a poem or short story.
A three to four-minute minute scene adapted from a current event news story
A final project scene adaptation from any source.

Projects will be produced in collaboration with directors and playwrights, Napier graduate actors, and with students on the Acting & English and the Acting for Stage & Screen courses.
During your ‘mini-placement’ you will be expected to work with and support a full scale in house production for the Acting programmes at Edinburgh Napier as a production assistant. You will have opportunity to observe how texts are realised by experienced directors, while learning some of the practicalities of realizing a stage production.

The module culminates in a workshop presentation, where directors and playwrights will be teamed with actors to create a piece of original drama adapted from an extant source. You will accompany this final project with an analytical essay (1000 words).

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This module focuses on launching your professional career, along with creating and potentially presenting work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Working from your reflective analysis of the preview production, you will be given the opportunity to go on to present your work publicly at the Fringe Festival, and you will be working to bridge your experience as a training director into the world of professional work. Meeting with mentors in the early stages, you will outline a development plan and rehearsal schedule, which will include workshop/rehearsal times as well as production/tech schedules. Also included in these early plans will be a detailed marketing/media campaign. Mentors will work specifically with you for a set number of hours, but there will also be staff mentors assigned to the acting students, which will further ensure support and help throughout the critical rehearsal period. In addition to the festival production, all directors will submit a 2-part thesis (approx. 7,000 words), which combines critical reflection on the Festival experience and on the artistic presentation of the play, along with a professional portfolio and career/business plan.

Further information

This module will begin with a chosen scene presentation. The scene is expected to stretch your imagination particularly in terms of style and you will be choosing the scene with the approval of your supervisor. Throughout the module there will be series of intensive classes which will focus on the development of new material and creative responses to extant work. These classes will involve strategies for enhancing creativity, effective group communication, setting the stage for innovative work, sympathetic listening and responding, and enhancing group problem-solving abilities. Along with these classes, directors will have scheduled rehearsal times with actors and will be focused on honing short sample scripts (10-15 mins each) and performance for Edinburgh Festival ‘backer’s auditions’ at the end of trimester. You will have 5 hours of individual mentoring time. Additionally, you will present a written paper on the proposed future of the scenes shown at the auditions. This will take the form of directorial concepts (with design and production ideas).

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You will attend a series of classes, many delivered by visiting professionals, introducing necessary business and self-management skills. You will prepare a thoroughly researched case study of the career path of either a director, playwright or theatre company. You will have ‘mock-interview’ sessions in which you will present work, pitch ideas, present portfolios, and business plans and get immediate feedback from industry professionals. You will also be expected to produce a professional opportunities analysis, for which you will research and identify opportunities for your work once you have completed the course. These may include placements, resident writer/director schemes, funding opportunities, writing competitions, etc.
Areas covered will include:
-- Business planning
-- Production and small company finance
-- Effective marketing, including online presence, social media, etc.
-- Setting up and running a small theatre company
-- Self-promotion and networking
-- Mock interviews
-- Establishing Professional Networks
-- How to research and write a case study

Further information

Working in a small tutorial group, you will be focusing on a number of plays, ranging from Greek drama to the present day. Along with conducting appropriate contextual research, you will be carrying out a literary analysis of form, style, structure, language and thematic ideas. Each play will be examined in terms of the very specific challenges it poses in practical production. There will be two projects to complete – one purely analytical in terms of the relationships between language, character and narrative; and one (theoretically) practical in which a number of challenges are identified, along with a series of proposed practical solutions in production. Your presentation and resultant peer exchange will form a significant part of the learning and early in the term a calendar of presentation dates will be agreed.

Further information