Validation for the College's two new MAs
The University of Manchester has validated two new MAs for Rose Bruford College: MA Theatre for Young Audiences and MA Ensemble Theatre. Both of these taught Masters degrees are unique to higher education in the UK and will focus students on careers in very specific ways. Along with MPhil and PhD study, done in conjunction with Goldsmith, University of London, Rose Bruford College aims to attract a higher proportion of UK, EU and international students, seeking postgraduate training in London.
The first course of its type in the UK, the MA Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) is a full-time and part-time programme that is part of a wider collaboration with the world-renowned Unicorn Theatre in London. This represents the start of a greater drive to develop more research into the field children’s and young people’s theatre practice. The programme will appeal to a wide range of individualswho seek to work in this specialist field as performers, directors, writers, community workshop leaders, teachers, arts workers, designers, or even those interested in this form of theatre from the more technical disciplines. The College, together with the Unicorn Theatre, will offer students ‘hands on professional experience’ at the cutting edge of the discipline, and includes public performances and placements in London and around the UK with other TYA companies. The programme is also developing relationships with TYA training programmes in Europe, the United States, Japan and Korea.
The MA Ensemble Theatre is a full-time one-year programme that captures the essence of ensemble theatre and that aims to bring theatre artists with complementary skills together to create a vibrant and sustainable postgraduate ensemble called Red Roses Theatre Company (RRTC). Over the year of study and training, members of the new ensemble company will work together and as individuals, exploring approaches to theatre-making from both a theoretical and practical perspective, with the company developing a repertoire of work that will be performed in London and then tour to theatres and arts centres around the UK. The new MA aims to attract performers, directors, playwrights, dramaturges, technicians, producers and scenographers who are open to sharing practice and learning fromone another. Together they will develop skills and productions, drawing on the skills and expertise of Rose Bruford’s conservatoire training. The company aims to train new professionals who seek a lasting career through developing and producing quality dramatic work.
Professor Michael Earley, Principal and Chief Executive of Rose Bruford College, says ‘Both these new MAs are totally unique programmes that draw on the wide teaching and practice strengths we have at this drama school. The idea of a postgraduate ensemble theatre company and a close working partnership with the Unicorn Theatre to produce work for young audience are both terrific opportunities for us and represent welcomed additions to the College’s portfolio of excellence in professional training.’
Tony Graham, Artistic Director of the Unicorn Theatre referring to the MA in Theatre for Young Audiences added ‘Rose Bruford’s new MA demonstrates a commitment that goes beyond the usual college piece-meal approach to theatre for young audiences. Our partnership will significantly enhance the growing knowledge and awareness of the brave new work that is happening in this marginalised field. Theatre for young people has undergone a sea-change in the last thirty years. This new MA, with its strong international bias, offers a great opportunity to shift the cultural landscape once again.’
The MA Theatre for Young Audiences starts in September 2010, and is a one-year full-time, and two year part-time programme.
The MA Ensemble Theatre is a one-year full-time programme.
For further enquiries about the MA programmes please contact Richard Sadler on 020 8308 2691 or by email at richard.sadler@bruford.ac.uk
01/06/2010