About MA/MFA Acting (International), MA - at East 15 Acting School

About MA/MFA in Acting (International)

MA/MFA in Acting (International) is a unique programme that has been designed specifically for overseas students and is a development of East 15's successful MA in Acting and MA in Acting for TV, Film and Radio. MA/MFA in Acting (International) offers the usual array of acting skills, including voice, movement and singing, and approaches to rehearsal and public performances. It draws on existing practice but supplements this work with specific teaching and learning techniques especially suitable for overseas students.

The course focuses on advanced practical acting skills and also takes in the study Shakespeare and other classical traditions. The MA runs for 12 months on a full-time basis and the MFA for 20 months. Students take four modules during two consecutive semesters, followed by a three-month period of independent study. At the end of this, MA students either present their dissertation or alternatively opt to present a practical project consisting of a character monologue and a research portfolio. MFA students take two modules a semester during four consecutive semesters , followed by a written dissertation or practical project.

Applicant information

MA/MFA in Acting (International) offers separate classes, during the year, for English first-language and English second-language students. The English first language students (USA, Canada, Australia etc) will concentrate on accent/dialect and RP, while the second-language students will focus more on accent, rhythm, stress and diction. All students will participate in public performances during their study. By the end of the scheme, graduates will be able to work in accurate English dialect and be able to perform sophisticated texts with confidence.

First term

The first term includes the module Acting Techniques, which addresses the key physical and vocal skills for acting, enabling students who are coming from a variety of training traditions to identify and achieve the required level of preparation for the subsequent modules. It also allows tutors to make a diagnostic assessment of students’ skills and potential, and identify and implement any needed remedial work in these core areas.

Second term

The second term includes modules on Shakespeare, which enable students to develop their understanding of the meaning and mechanics of Shakespeare’s texts. It will introduce students to specific vocal techniques for the performance of Renaissance text and allow them to consider how a range of archaic and contemporary performance settings influence the actor’s and director’s approaches to Shakespeare in performance. In addition, students will study a range of analytical and experimental approaches to script that are useful to the actor and there will be opportunities to develop students’ clarity, accuracy and expressiveness in speaking Renaissance text.

Third term

The third term includes modules on contemporary UK texts, which introduce students to key contemporary texts from the UK theatre, and to scripts from the twentieth-century that continue to have a place in and to influence contemporary UK theatre. It will allow students to extend their vocal, physical and analytical skills in the creation of roles that reflect a current cultural context and offers an opportunity to create and perform a complete role in the context of a fully staged play.

The second year

MFA students take a second year in which they work within a repertory company to apply and extend their skills in a series of fully-staged productions written and performed in English. There is also a field study option for MFA students based at GTIS in Moscow, using the infrastructure already in place for the field study option for East 15’s MFA in Theatre Directing.

After East 15

Graduates will have a comprehensive professional training that will enable them to pursue professional careers in theatre and related professions in an increasingly global industry.

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact East 15 Acting School to find course entry requirements.

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Related information

Studying in United Kingdom