MA CREATIVE PRODUCING

Validated by University of East Anglia


2023/24 Term Dates
Autumn term
4 September – 15 December 2023
Spring term
8 January – 28 March 2024
Summer term
15 April – 12 July 2024
Writing up period (MA only) 12 July – 31 August 2024

2024/25 Term Dates
Autumn term
9 September – 13 December 2024
Spring term
6 January – 4 April 2025
Summer term
22 April – 18 July 2025

Skills

  • Arts ecology
  • Arts business
  • Dramatic critical practice & commissioning
  • Theatre making and producing in the not-for-profit sector
  • Budget & fundraising
  • Marketing & audience development
  • Theoretical framework

Not-For-Profit Transformative Theatre

This module enables students to engage immediately with their new knowledge and understanding of creative producing. The focus is on the Not-For-Profit Sector providing students with a theoretical and practical introduction to the core requirements of producing with creative flair, within the context of economic and cultural priorities.

The module will place theatre activities in the political, social, economic, and environmental landscape and investigate the resultant business framing. Experts in their field will provide insight into the management of not-for-profit organisations and productions. This module looks at sources of finance and fundraising alongside the core necessary tools needed to market creative products by identifying, reaching, and attracting an audience.

Personal Reflective Practice

Producers learn by producing, and so this module is practice based to enable the student to clarify and develop their own approach to creative producing. They will be offered frameworks to explore creative and managerial techniques for events production and theatre-making. In this module, students will begin to advance their own practical methodology alongside the study of critical thinking and current practice.

A process of skills development is practised in which students self-assess their own managerial and theatre-making toolkit and capitalise on upskilling provisions. Students also develop their own applied producing projects that are responsive to identified needs in and around the local environment. The practical projects are an opportunity to develop theories, techniques, and creative flair through leadership, production management, collaboration, execution and communication.

2023/24 Term Dates
Autumn term
4 September – 15 December 2023
Spring term
8 January – 28 March 2024
Summer term
15 April – 12 July 2024
Writing up period (MA only) 12 July – 31 August 2024

Skills

  • Commercial producing & general management
  • Touring
  • Digital futures
  • Understanding technical theatre
  • International collaboration & presentation
  • Finance
  • Licencing & royalties

For-Profit National and International Theatre

This module will develop an intellectual and practical knowledge of balancing the producer’s resources. Whether preparing a small budget event or a multi-million-pound venture, the fundamentals are the same. Students will be provided with the tools to work within the framework of financial systems and raise investment. Students also explore the business case for production scale, transfers, and exploitation through Commercial Theatre Production and Company Management. This module has been designed to provide opportunities for theoretical and practical analysis of the core requirements of producing with creative flair within the context of financial imperatives.

Producing Placement

This module builds on the theatre-making skills so far developed and empowers students to extend their practice by fulfilling a job role in a professional producing environment. The placement supports all aspects of personal practice and every student is provided with the opportunity to have a residence that supports their managerial and creative journey, as well the opportunity to build career sustaining networks. The module tests teamwork, leadership and collaboration through real world experience, to build on future leader potential.

2023/24 Term Dates
Autumn term
4 September – 15 December 2023
Spring term
8 January – 28 March 2024
Summer term
15 April – 12 July 2024
Writing up period (MA only) 12 July – 31 August 2024

Creative Practice:

  • Develop a solo play as part of a collaboration with other creatives on a larger scale work.

Producing Practical Dissertation

Demonstrate a wide range of creative producing skills whilst creating a substantial theatrical event, utilising the skills of the wider Mountview community and developing creative content for the season.

Assessment

Mountview’s MA in Creative Producing is both academic and vocational and this approach is complimented by a varied assessment process that recognises individual strengths. Assessments include pitching to panel, presentation to peers, project portfolios, reflective essays, reports, productions, and a final written and practical dissertation project.

 

USEFUL INFO

Interview fee£20
2024/25 UK/Republic of Ireland Students Course Fee£10,265
2024/25 International Students Course Fee£18,945
Additional Costs (e.g. cultural trips)£100 approx.

Fees are subject to annual review. One term’s notice will be given of any increases.

Limited interview fee waivers and reductions are available for candidates with a household income of less than £21,000.

There are a number of student scholarships available.

Funding and Scholarships


Admission onto the course is by interview. Applicants must be aged 21 years or over at the start of the course. Students who do not hold an undergraduate degree will need to undertake an access assignment to establish suitability for undertaking the MA.

If an applicant requires a student visa and their first language is not English, they will need to prove their knowledge of the English language before applying for their student visa. This must be demonstrated by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider or having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that they began when they were under 18.

Mountview welcomes applications from people with disabilities and is keen to support all applicants to achieve their best. If applicants have any special requirements or access needs, these should be discussed with the course leader/administrator.

Mountview is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. No applicant will receive less or more favourable treatment on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, disability, religion and marital/parental status or any comparable grounds.

You will take part in an interview with the course leader at which you will discuss your interests, influences and previous experience. This will take place in-person at Mountview and you may be required to submit a portfolio of work.

For international candidates and those with exceptional circumstances, the option of an online interview is available.

Please be aware that due to the limited amount of places available, this course may become full before June and in this event applications will close early. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Auditions and Interviews


“This course is making a significant contribution to the performing arts professional industry - producing highly skilled creative producers who are equipped to work across the independent and commercial sections of the sector, and at wide ranging scales.”

- Dr. Kate Craddock, External Examiner for MA Creative Producing (2019-2023) and Founder/Festival Director of Gateshead International Festival of Theatre