MA/MFA Scenography

About the course

Some of the major innovations in performance practices over the past hundred years have been drawn from scenographic developments. The MA/MFA Scenography courses approach scenography from multiple practical and theoretical perspectives to create new opportunities for experimentation and authorship.

• Develop authorship through performance design, working with a dynamic interplay of practice and theory, informed by a variety of disciplines including film, sculpture, sound, digital media, puppetry, choreography and architecture
• A balance of independent and collaborative work
• A professional focus through mentors, tutors and industry partners

Our approach

Through past and present approaches to performance design, the Scenography courses aim to explore dynamic and innovative interplays between the body, space and time, further informed by a variety of disciplines including film, sculpture, sound, digital media, puppetry, choreography and architecture. Your existing skills and practices are challenged, extended and refined as you investigate design processes and tools for creative developments.

With a balanced mix of collaborative and independent work, and a particular attention to the interplay of practice and theory, the courses include:

• workshops and mentoring to explore speculative and operative uses/misuses of processes and tools, ranging from dramaturgy, model making and technical drawing to audio-visual media, casting, interactive sensor technologies and 3D printing;
• studies in relevant historical and theoretical frameworks and contexts for understanding and developing practice.

Course Detail

In the first year, students of the MA and MFA combine for Terms One to Three of their course.

The MFA second year extends the final project initiated at the end of the first year, with support from seminars and tutorials with the course team and with the possibility of undertaking one or two workplace/ professional attachments.

An MFA top-up year for those with an existing MA in this subject is also available.

Assessment

Assessment is by practical conceptions and realisations, written assignments and verbal presentations (individual and collaborative). You will collaborate with your class peers, as well as with other courses within Central to create and design new work, including the MA/MFA Advanced Theatre Practice, MA Acting for Screen, MA/MFA Performance Practice as Research and MA/MFA Creative Producing.

Archives of past students’ work on the course can be seen at http://www.mascenography.com.

How to Apply for Postgraduate Courses

All applications to postgraduate courses at Central must be made directly to the School. We have an online application system through which you should submit your application.

Visit the website for further details. 

Visit the MA/MFA Scenography page on the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama website for more details!