Creative Producing at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London - UCAS

Course options

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

As a student on the MA/MFA Creative Producing programme at Central, you will: • Real-world creative producing opportunities to develop knowledge and skills • Networking through placements with leading theatre and arts organisations, masterclasses and industry mentors • Student-led collaboration with writers, actors and designers on other Central MA/MFA courses What is a Creative Producer? The entrepreneurially skilled and culturally literate producer works in dialogue with artists to create performances and festivals, run venues and companies, manage projects, raise funds and investment, and negotiate commissions. Central graduates have become successful producers, among them Sir Cameron Mackintosh, a name synonymous with Britain’s global pre-eminence in musical theatre, and David Jubb, whose pioneering work at Battersea Arts Centre characterises the vibrancy and originality of London’s contemporary fringe, or ‘off West End’ scene. Opportunities on the course The courses offer real-world creative producing opportunities within Central’s production calendar and with extensive industry partners, enabling you to build on your existing practice. These skills are in ever-increasing demand in a competitive production environment. You will undertake masterclasses in producing with key industry leaders and innovators and take an active role in the organisation of events, productions and projects, underpinned by a solid critical understanding of the cultural industries and creative producing skills, relevant theory and current research in the performance field. While learning, you will also gain a career head start by building a vital network of industry and peer contacts. These courses are suitable for: • experienced stage managers or production managers who wish to develop as creative producers • those already engaged in creative producing activities who wish to extend their knowledge in the field • business graduates with an interest in performance arts applications • experienced theatre or performance artists or graduates who wish to produce their own work and gain entrepreneurial skills • arts graduates who wish to instigate or curate the work of others. The MA is for those with existing arts practice who wish to develop relevant knowledge and expertise, creative entrepreneurial and project management skills and become part of Central’s extensive network of industry collaborators. The MA and MFA have been developed in consultation with leading industry partners to provide a vocational course where you can apply your learning through a diverse range of practical projects. Central is involved in many external collaborative projects, so in addition to its own production activity and commercial theatre connections, its pioneering work in circus and site-specific theatre means excellent connections to a wide range of alternative theatre forms. Embracing the challenges of creating a sustainable business is a core part of the course and Central is proud to have been recognised by the prestigious London Chamber of Commerce’s Commercial Education Trust (CET) for its entrepreneurial activity.

Modules

On the MA and MFA, you will engage with the same core subject matter. In the first year of the MFA, you will join MA colleagues for most of the year, undertaking professional creative producing projects to develop your understanding of: • publicity, marketing and fundraising • business modelling and innovation • authentic leadership and effective teamwork • audience development and engagement • theatre production and tour management • festival curation and organisation. • In the fourth term of the MA, you undertake a Sustained Independent Project (SIP). The MFA extends into a second year to apply and interrogate further specialist subject skills. You have the opportunity to develop sustained experience in the field, working closely with members of the related industry to establish yourself as a professional practitioner. You are encouraged to specialise in one or more directions building on the learning of the first year. The MFA second year widens the opportunities to practise knowledge within a context and framework where pertinent questions can be asked, protocols tested and new structures suggested. You will undertake tutorials and seminars. These can be via Skype or virtual seminar facilities if your attachment is outside the UK. You will gain a range of experiences both through Central’s extensive professional contacts and personal networks developed in the first year. In negotiation with the course team, you may use your own work-based learning on attachment, or with organisations in the field. In negotiation with the course team, you may use your own work-based learning on attachment, or with organisations in the field. An MFA top-up year for those with an existing MA in this subject is also available.

Assessment method

This is through formats used in the relevant industries and in academia, e.g. individual and group pitches to industry panels, business plans, online presentations, conference presentations, productions, case studies, reflective essays, reports, reviews and written submissions, and a substantial personal portfolio or dissertation.


How to apply

International applicants

https://www.cssd.ac.uk/international-students/information-international-applicants

Entry requirements

You should normally have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field, (drama, theatre or performance studies, for example, but other areas such as economics, politics or business studies are also relevant); applications from students of other disciplines will be considered. All applicants will be expected to have had practical experience in theatre-related areas and/or arts management. Applications for the accreditation of prior experience in lieu of academic entry qualification will also be considered where appropriate. An offer will normally only be made after interview/audition. An MFA top-up year for those with an existing MA or PGDip in this subject is also available.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £11550 Year 1
Northern Ireland £11550 Year 1
Scotland £11550 Year 1
Wales £11550 Year 1
Channel Islands £11550 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £11550 Year 1
EU £22050 Year 1
International £22050 Year 1

Additional fee information

Please note that the EU fee may not be applicable to students originating from an EU country who have settled/pre-settled status. Other criteria apply. See the gov.uk website for further details. Students who are applying for an equivalent or lower level qualification (ELQ) to one they already possess, will be charged full fees, unless they are exempt. Please see the Office for Students' website for details.

Sponsorship information

https://www.cssd.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-bursaries-awards

Creative Producing at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London - UCAS