Stage Design (M.F.A.)

Program Overview

This 12-month full-time or 24-month part-time program in Production Design equips students with the skills to pursue careers in professional theatre and related industries. Students specialize in stage design disciplines (set and costume design) through core modules, elective workshops, and professional placements. The program fosters collaboration with students in Playwriting and Theatre Directing, emphasizing the collective effort required for innovative theatre productions.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Students can choose to take this course either full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months).
• Full-time students take Contemporary Theatre Practice (20 ECTS), and two elective modules (20 ECTS x 2) in the first two terms, and Production Design (30 ECTS) in the third term and subsequent summer months.
• Students who elect to take the course part-time ordinarily complete:
• Year 1: Contemporary Theatre Practice (20 ECTS); 2 elective modules (20 ECTS x 2)
• Year 2: Production Design (30 ECTS)
• The final Production Design module will be taught by an ongoing series of individual tutorials.
• Students will take two core modules:
• Contemporary Theatre Practice: enables students to become conversant in the styles, forms, theories and practices that constitute contemporary theatre making in Ireland.
• Production Design: individual supervision of two placements as assistant to a professional designer, and realization of a design for public viewing in one of The Lir studios.
• Students will choose 2 elective modules, among the following: Set Design Workshop, Costume Design Workshop, Lighting Design Workshop, Dramaturgy for Stage Design.

Careers:

• This programme allows students to specialise in or combine stage design disciplines (set and costume design) and is tailored to provide talented individuals with the necessary skills to pursue a career in professional theatre and related industries.

Other:

• In addition to the core classes and workshops, individual and group tuition from The Lir’s Head of Design 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 productions at the culmination of the course.
• The course is designed to complement the MFA in Playwriting and the MFA in Theatre Directing.
Students on all three programmes will work together in collaboration, developing a shared understanding of contemporary theatre practice and a collective appreciation of the dedication and commitment required to make innovative performances happen.