Theatre Producing (M.F.A.)

Course Overview

This MFA course, the first of its kind in Ireland, is a practice-based professional degree which aims to equip students of exceptional talent with the skills necessary to pursue a career in the professional theatre and related industries through the development of skills, professional practices and creative approaches to theatre producing. It encourages a self-reflexive approach to learning with a view to developing independent thinking and collaboratively-focused producers. Graduates of the existing strands have had considerable success working as professional directors, designers and playwrights across Irish theatre and throughout the world.

Applicants are required to possess a minimum 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.

Applicants must fill out all the information required on the online form, which includes the submission of two references, one academic and a professional reference, copies of the transcripts of previously completed education levels, and a CV.

In addition, applicants are also required to upload a copy of the following documents separately, within the Additional Documents section:

a) Letter of application – a letter that outlines the applicant’s theatre education and theatre producing experience to date. This may also include experience in other areas of theatre, such as directing or curating. Please note, however, that applicants will require some producing experience to be accepted on to the course

b) Statement of purpose – a statement outlining the applicant’s ambitions in terms of theatre producing. Applicants should describe the role of theatre in their life, justify the choice of a career as a producer, and why they wish to pursue further education.

c) Portfolio – a portfolio of the applicant’s theatre work to date. This can be a visual and text-based overview of events the applicant has collaborated on in any role e.g. director, creative, artist, technician, curator, event-organiser or production support. The Lir Academy accepts portfolios as PDFs, websites or in any other convenient format.

d) Critical assessment – a critical assessment essay of recently produced work. This is an analysis of work produced 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 process when working with designers, actors, directors and the overall production team, and finally a reflection and critical analysis of the work achieved and any learning outcomes.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements for their application to be considered for shortlisting to the programme. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.

This MFA programme upskills and equips students to specialise in theatre producing. It is tailored to provide talented individuals with the necessary skills to pursue a career in the professional theatre and related industries. The Lir Academy MFA graduates are highly successful in their chosen fields and have gone on to work in major venues and institutions in Ireland and abroad.