Theatre Directing (One Year Postgraduate Course)
One-Year Postgraduate Diploma Course in Theatre Directing Autumn Intake
“My time at Mountview was inspiring, challenging and empowering: I started the year with a very raw and uninformed passion for directing (that was, in reality, little more than an enthusiastic student hobby coupled with ambition) – and finished it well prepared to enter the profession… “ (read more)
Michael Longhurst
Mountview Academy Postgraduate Directors Course 2003-2004 (Fringe First Award 2005 for Guardians/Jerwood Directors Award 2007 for ‘dirty butterfly’ at the Young Vic)
"Mountview prompts you to become a Sherlock Holmes of sorts, constantly questioning, forever digging for that vital clue in the text that unlocks what the playwright had intended..." (read more)
Mike Fentiman
Assistant Director RSC Ensemble 2009-11
Overview
This is an intensive vocational programme that runs for three terms. It provides key practical skills and theoretical knowledge for those wishing to embark on a career as a professional theatre director.
The course concentrates on a rigorous approach to text in performance, understanding the actor’s process, collaborating with writers and other artists and the development of a unique voice through the making of informed creative and practical choices. Throughout the course the emphasis is on learning through practice, including directing two public productions.
Term One
In the first term each student fully participates in Acting, Movement and Voice classes in order to gain a working knowledge of the actor’s craft. Additionally the directing students attend seminars focusing on play analysis and interpretation and rehearsal processes. Other assignments include performing with acting students, detailed practitioner research, and directing short text-based pieces with professional actors for performance within the Academy.
Term Two
In the second term each student assists a professional director on a third year production and directs a one-act play using professional actors, presented as a public production in a public venue. This term also sees the fruition of the dramaturgy project, in which the directing students write/script-edit and direct each other’s short plays under the guidance of an experienced professional literary manager such as Ben Jancovich (National Theatre/Hampstead Theatre/Arvon Foundation). Seminars and workshops include more analysis of plays, casting, working with stage and lighting and sound designers, the