MA/MFA Classical and Contemporary Text (Acting) or (Directing)

MA/MFA Classical and Contemporary Text is a vocational postgraduate programme of study for emerging artists. The programme aims to enable actors and directors to acquire practical skills, knowledge and understanding in relation to contemporary/new writing and classical text.

The programme offers two pathways, acting or directing, with all students working together as an ensemble. There will be numerous opportunities to learn and experiment, in projects, rehearsals and performances; creative collaboration lies at the heart of all the work. As part of your studies, you will complete a one-month residency at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, developing your knowledge and skills in classical text in this unique, iconic environment. You will spend time working on both classical and contemporary texts. These plays are performed to a public and professional audience. You will end your studies with the opportunity to perform in industry showcases in Glasgow and London.

Through this programme you will benefit from professional connections allowing you to develop invaluable industry contacts. When you graduate, you will have gained practical, high-level experience of working in the profession, as well as all-important contacts and the skills to underpin your future career. The programme also encourages you to generate your own performance ideas, so that you are able to emerge into the professional world with a greater sense of yourself as a creative, self-reliant artist.

MFA* subject to validation

MFA students will complete the full MA Acting Classical and Contemporary Text programme with an additional four-month module in which they will create a substantial piece of original work with mentoring and support. This project should serve as a ‘creative calling card’, providing another vehicle into the industry for those students who see themselves as theatre makers in addition to actors.

This programme offers two strands to the Classical and Contemporary Text Masters – acting or directing – with students working together as an ensemble throughout the year.

Term one

The programme begins with classes focusing on the methodologies of voice, movement, acting and directing. If you’re a director, you will work alongside the actors, participating in these practical classes. This will coincide with a project designed to empower you to take stock of yourself as an artist. Following on from this, you will learn learn about the processes of ensemble creation, as well as learning how to get the most out of working collaboratively. Term one will culminate with an in-depth exploration of approaches to realism in performance.

Term two

You will begin this term with an intensive month at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London, working with the Globe Education faculty. This month culminates with a performance of scenes from a Shakespeare play on the Globe stage. Additionally, the directing students will have the opportunity to present scenes to an invited audience.

On returning to Glasgow, you will embark on fully-realised Renaissance theatre productions. You will explore the rehearsal process within the structure of a professional production. These are led by experienced directors, with the directing students working as assistant directors.

Term three

This term is devoted to exploring contemporary text, new writing development and original work. Attention will also be paid to learning more about the profession and how to prepare for it. This will include mock auditions and a variety of discussions and masterclasses with key professional practitioners who will share their experiences. You will have the opportunity to complete your own practice-led research performance project and may seek out and undertake a professional placement if you so choose.

Term four

In the final term, contemporary plays that were chosen earlier in the year will go into rehearsal under the leadership of the directing students. They will receive public performances at RCS, to which the industry is invited. Time is set aside for you to attend productions and other events at the Edinburgh International Festival. While preparation for entering the profession will have been ongoing throughout your studies, extra time and attention will be devoted to engagement with the profession as you conclude your studies.

MFA

In the four months following term four, you will position yourself as an autonomous artist and collaborative performance maker. With support and mentoring from RCS lecturers and industry professionals, you will develop a substantial original performance which will serve as a ‘creative calling card’ as you move into your professional life.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is in the World Top 10 for performing arts education 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020 (QS World Rankings) 

• Month-long residency at Shakespeare’s Globe, London
• 100% of graduate respondents are in employment or further study (HESA 2016/17)
• Industry showcases in Glasgow and London, with a New York
• Industry Week for North American students
• Public performances of classical and contemporary plays
• Close links with professional partners including Playwrights’ Studio Scotland, and Company of Wolves
• Masterclasses and workshops with visiting artists
• Opportunities to create and perform original, interdisciplinary, practice-led research

The programme is delivered in combination with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland staff and practising theatre professionals, directors, and educators. This combination means you’ll be working with experienced staff members and making contacts with the national and international theatre community in a professional working environment.

Head of Classical and Contemporary Text

Marc Silberschatz

Teaching Staff

• Eve Jamieson – Programme Co-ordinator and LEcturer (Acting and Directing)
• Staff from the RCS Centre for Voice in Performance (Voice)
• A full teaching team at Shakespeare’s Globe
• Professional guest artists

Past guest artists have included:

• Ewan Downie, Artistic Director Company of Wolves
• Gordon Barr, Artistic Director Bard in the Botanics
• Fiona Sturgeon Shea, Creative Director, Playwrights’ Studio Scotland

Visiting Staff and Practitioners

• Michael Grandage
• Ben Harrison – Grid Iron
• Matthew Lenton – Vanishing Point
• Nadine George – Voice Studio International
• Anna-Helena Mclean – Moonfool
• Candice Edmunds – VoxMotus
• Dougie Irvine – Visible Fictions
• Ewan Downie – Company of Wolves
• Kate Sagovsky
• John Kazek
• Vanessa Coffey
• Mark Thomson
• Nick Bone – Magnetic North
• Jemima Levick – Dundee Rep
• Gordon Barr – Bard in the Botanics
• Adrian Osmond
• Lu Kemp
• Graham McClaren – National Theatre of Scotland
• Graham Eatough
• Cora Bisset
• Tim Licata – Plutot La Vie
• Peter Collins
• Liz Carruthers
• Nicolas Lormeau – Comedie Francaise
• Rick Kemp
• Alexandra Silber
• Rick Kemp
• Debbie Hannan – Royal Court

Commissioned playwrights

• Douglas Maxwell
• Linda McLean
• David Harrower
• Nicola McCartney
• Chris Hannan
• Peter Arnott
• Anne Marie di Mambro
• Davey Anderson
• Ian Finlay Macleod
• Pamela Carter
• Oliver Emmanuel
• Rona Munro
• Lewis Hetherington
• David Ireland
• Alan McKendrick
• Mike Cullen
• Jules Horne
• Gary McNair
• Steph Smith

MACCT students have full access to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s award-winning facilities, including the Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks and the practice rooms and performance spaces in the Renfrew Street Building. Including five professional performing arts venues, a student IT Suite and drama rehearsal rooms.

The Whittaker Library has one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of performance materials for dance, drama, music, production and screen. You will also have access to thousands of electronic resources, as well as extensive audio and film collections. There’s a dedicated silent study area, student IT labs and Wifi throughout the building to make sure you can get the most from your learning experience. We also have experienced subject specialists, a learning technologist, an IT trainer, support analysts and an archivist to ensure that whatever your learning style, you have all of the physical and virtual resources you need.

Throughout the year professional opportunities will arise with visiting professionals, and involvement in productions at Òran Mór and at the Bard in the Botanics festival, Glasgow. On The Verge is another exciting performance opportunity; a festival of new work in which students question and push the boundaries of the theatrical form.

Throughout the year, further professional opportunities may arise. You will be encouraged to find work placements that relate to your particular interests and aspirations. The list of companies that students have undertaken placements with is impressive: Steppenwolf (Chicago), Red-Handed Theatre (Canada), Circle in the Square (New York), The RSC (Stratford), The Factory (London), Shared Experience, BBC Scotland, Dundee Rep, the Citizens Theatre, the Royal Lyceum Theatre (Edinburgh), Gridiron, Communicado, Vox Motus, Frantic Assembly and the National Theatre of Scotland.

Our graduates work as performers, directors, dramaturgs, producers, writers, and teachers. Graduates have started theatre companies; written, directed, produced and performed shows across the world; and performed and directed stage, film and television productions. Some of our recent graduates include:

Vickie Beesley
Actor/director, Terra Incognita Theatre Company

Ayana Bey
Actress

Paul Brotherston
Director, Blood of the Young Theatre Company

Gwendolen Chatfield  
Actor, the Globe

Ben Clifford 
Actor and artistic director of Wild Goose Chase Theatre Company

Jeremy Crawford 
Actor, American Repertory Theatre

Amanda Gaughan
Director, NTS/Lyceum Theatre/ Dundee Rep

Stacy Gould  
Actor and producer

Debbie Hannan
Assistant Director, the Royal Court

Lauren Hurwood  
Actor, Northern Stage

Meg Heus
Actor, Man in the High Castle

Amy Ludwigsen
Director, Shakespeare in Door County

Riley Madincea  
Film and theatre actor

Isobel McArthur
Actor and writer

Ishbel McFarlane
Actor and writer

Ishbel McPharlane  
Actor and writer

Noa Naamat
Director, Royal Opera House

Matte O’Brien  
Director and playwright

Michael-Alan Reid and Angie Kay  
Actors/directors, Cardboard Fox  Theatre Company

Rachel Schmelling
Actor, The Public Theater

This programme creates reflective creative practitioners. Our graduates leave with a sharper sense of potential and aspiration, and are able to adapt in the ever-changing dynamic of the profession.

MACCT at the Globe

Titus Andronicus

Henry V

Bubble

Tuition fees for academic year 2020-21

MA Acting and Directing fees

• UK/EU Students – £13,764
• International (non-EU) – £21,612

MFA Acting and Directing fees

Subject to validation

• UK/EU Students – £18,352
• Overseas – £28,816

Scottish/EU students

New Scottish and EU domiciled students may be eligible for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan. All eligible students will be able to apply directly to Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for a non-means tested loan of up to £3,400. See the following website for further details of the PSAS scheme:

http://www.saas.gov.uk/full_time/pg/index.htm

Scottish domiciled postgraduate students on eligible courses can also apply for a Postgraduate Living Cost Loan up to £4,500 towards living expenses. This is in addition to the existing loan available towards the cost of their tuition fees.

Scholarships

Any potential student who auditions for a place at the Royal Conservatoire will automatically be considered for a scholarship. They are awarded on a combination of talent, potential and financial need. More information about Scholarships is available here

Sources of external funding

For more information about alternative funding sources, including external scholarships and bursaries, please visit here.

The Conservatoire’s International and Student Experience team are available to advise and assist applicants and current students in respect of queries about funding your studies at the Conservatoire. Please email or telephone +44 (0)141 270 8281/ +44 (0)141 270 8223 for further information.

In arriving at its recommendation, the audition/interview panel will take account of all aspects of the applicant’s profile i.e.:

• Performance at audition/interview
• Commitment to the particular programme
• Potential to benefit from the programme
• Academic qualifications
• Personal statement
• Performance qualifications
• Performance/practical experience
• References
• Contextualised data

General Academic entrance requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an appropriate undergraduate degree, or its overseas
equivalent, in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme.

Language of Study

The language of study is English. Applicants who first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Level 7.5 (with a score of 7.5 in speaking) is required.

Non-standard Entry

We welcome applications from individuals whose academic qualifications or English language qualifications do not match (in terms of equivalence) or fall short of the normal entrance requirements, where specified*. Having satisfied the Audition Panel that they meet the selection criteria and demonstrated that they have the capacity to pursue the proposed course of study, such applicants will be considered through examination of contextualised data provided in accordance with the Non-Standard Entry Policy. The appropriate Head of Department/ Programme will make a case in support of the applicant for consideration by the Directors of the Schools and Convener of the Quality and Standards Committee.

*Note that UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) imposes minimum English Language qualifications in respect of international (non-EU) applicants who require a Tier 4 Visa to study in the UK.

Mature Students

RCS welcomes applications from mature students, i.e. students over the age of 21 at entry to the programme. Whilst the selection procedures will still be applied, consideration will be given to appropriate artistic experience not normally expected in school leavers, which is deemed to compensate for any lack of traditional entrance qualifications. Successful mature applicants, as for all other applicants, must convince auditioning panels that they have the ability and potential to cope with the demands of the programme. Their progress, especially in the early stages of the programme, will be closely monitored and appropriate advice and support given.

Applicants should prepare the following for audition:

MA/MFA Classical and Contemporary Text (Acting)

In the first round auditions, candidates for MA/MFA Acting Classical and Contemporary Text will be required to perform two monologues, one classical, preferably Shakespeare and in verse, and one contemporary. We consider the contemporary monologue as a monologue from a play written in the last 25 years. The total running time for these two monologues combined should not exceed three minutes. This will be followed by an interview. Candidates who are invited to recalls will be informed which of the two pieces they will be asked to perform at the recall auditions, which will consist of an intensive exploration of that piece with core programme team members, followed by a second interview.

Audition recordings are welcomed from non-UK applicants and should follow the same audition requirements as a live audition.

MA/MFA Classical and Contemporary Text (Directing)

Candidates for the Directing pathway will lead a workshop rehearsal session on a short scene from a Chekhov play, and this will be followed by an interview. The session should constitute the first thirty minutes of a first rehearsal of the text in question. The audition and interview will take one hour.

International Auditions

Whilst most auditions take place at the Conservatoire in Glasgow, we do hold auditions internationally. If you wish to audition overseas, please visit our International site here for further information on that particular application process as well as details about the venue and date(s): https://international.rcs.ac.uk. Should you plan on auditioning overseas, we kindly ask that you submit your application at least one month in advance of the audition date. If you apply less than a month in advance, we cannot guarantee to audition you in person, and we may ask you to submit a recording instead.

If you select ‘RCS’ as the Audition Location on on your application, your audition will take place in Glasgow. We welcome recorded auditions from non-UK applicants. If you wish to audition by recording, please select ‘recording’. If you require further information about auditioning internationally, please email hello@rcs.ac.uk.

Apply via UCAS conservatoires

Applications are made through UCAS Conservatoires website. The UCAS Conservatoires application system is separate from the main UCAS undergraduate application system. If you wish to apply to conservatoires and universities within UCAS, you will need to register for both services.

There is a UCAS application fee of £25 to register to use UCAS Conservatoires.

To begin a new UCAS Conservatoires application, you will need to register. You can read the UCAS Conservatoires’ advice on completing the UCAS Conservatoires application.

If you need assistance with your application, you can contact UCAS Conservatoires team by telephoning (Monday to Friday, 8.30 – 18.00). Phone 0371 468 0470 from within the UK or +44 330 3330 232 if you are calling from overseas.

Application deadline date

The closing date for all on time undergraduate applications from the UK, EU and International (non EU) is 31 March 2020. If you submit your application after this date, we cannot guarantee that you will be invited to audition.

If you do consider to submit a late application, please contact admissions@rcs.ac.uk in the first instance to check we are accepting late applications. Late applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2020, you must apply next year.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58.

You will also require the following programme code to apply:

MA Classical and Contemporary Text (Acting): 700F

MFA Classical and Contemporary Text (Acting): 710F

MA Classical and Contemporary Text (Directing):  701F

MFA Classical and Contemporary Text (Directing): 711F

 

Application fee

There is a UCAS Conservatoires application fee of £25. In addition to the application fee, each conservatoire charges an audition fee. For RCS, the audition fee is £55 per programme applied for. Fees are not refundable. The fees are paid via the UCAS Conservatoires website and not directly to RCS and RCS does not offer any fee waivers.

Audition fee

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland charges an audition administration fee of £55 per course.

We recognise that auditioning and interviewing for conservatoires, drama and ballet schools can be costly. The audition fee charge allows us to offer a thorough and positive experience to all applicants and we encourage you to ask the panel questions and find out more about the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to see if it is the best place for you.

References

It is your responsibility to ask two separate referees to write references and ensure that these are sent to RCS.

The references must be written by two different people and we will not accept references from family, other relatives or close friends. You can submit your UCAS Conservatoires application form and send your references at a later date, but they must be received prior to your audition date.

UCAS Conservatoires provides reference forms for you to download and send to your referees for completion.

Entrance requirements

Our admissions processes are designed to be fair, transparent and efficient. The audition/interview approach serves the dual nature of allowing the panel to assess first-hand an applicant’s suitability for their chosen programme and it also affords the applicant the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the nature of that programme and the opportunities offered by the RCS.

In arriving at its recommendation, the audition/interview panel will take account of all aspects of the applicant’s profile i.e.:

• Performance at audition/interview
• Commitment to the particular programme
• Potential to benefit from the programme
• Academic qualifications
• Personal statement
• Performance qualifications
• Performance/practical experience
• References
• Contextualised data

General Academic entrance requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an appropriate undergraduate degree, or its overseas
equivalent, in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme.

Language of Study

The language of study is English. Applicants who first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Level 7.5 (with a score of 7.5 in speaking) is required.

Non-standard Entry

We welcome applications from individuals whose academic qualifications or English language qualifications do not match (in terms of equivalence) or fall short of the normal entrance requirements, where specified*. Having satisfied the Audition Panel that they meet the selection criteria and demonstrated that they have the capacity to pursue the proposed course of study, such applicants will be considered through examination of contextualised data provided in accordance with the Non-Standard Entry Policy. The appropriate Head of Department/ Programme will make a case in support of the applicant for consideration by the Directors of the Schools and Convener of the Quality and Standards Committee.

*Note that UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) imposes minimum English Language qualifications in respect of international (non-EU) applicants who require a Tier 4 Visa to study in the UK.

Mature Students

RCS welcomes applications from mature students, i.e. students over the age of 21 at entry to the programme. Whilst the selection procedures will still be applied, consideration will be given to appropriate artistic experience not normally expected in school leavers, which is deemed to compensate for any lack of traditional entrance qualifications. Successful mature applicants, as for all other applicants, must convince auditioning panels that they have the ability and potential to cope with the demands of the programme. Their progress, especially in the early stages of the programme, will be closely monitored and appropriate advice and support given.

Selection process

Applicants who apply on time (before 31 March) are invited by email, approximately three weeks before the audition date, to RCS to undertake an audition/interview.

MA/MFA Acting Classical and Contemporary Text first round auditions will take place at RCS in Glasgow from February to May unless you have chosen another location. Recall auditions will take place in Glasgow and London in May.

MA/MFA Directing Classical and Contemporary Text auditions will take place at RCS in Glasgow from April to May.

Please note that RCS is only obliged to offer one audition/interview date per application. Alternative dates will only be provided (subject to availability) in exceptional circumstances. If you are unable to make your allocated audition date, you should email us immediately stating the reason.

 

Recorded audition

If you are auditioning via video recording, please read the following information before sending us your material. Prior to submitting a recorded audition, you must apply via UCAS Conservatoires. Recorded auditions can be easily submitted online using Acceptd.

You will need to create an account, but then you can easily upload the recordings you wish to be considered. Recordings will not be considered until a UCAS Conservatoires application has been submitted. Once you have completed the UCAS Conservatoires application, you should proceed to Acceptd to submit your video recording. We will only accept recordings submitted via Acceptd and will not accept any other format, i.e. DVDs. Recordings should arrive by the 31 March 2020.

Applicants who wish to submit an audition recording should prepare the tasks that would be carried out in the live audition. Directing applicants should produce an unedited 30 minutes of first rehearsal. There should be a short preface from the applicant about the aims of the session and a short reflection immediately after.

This may be followed up with a Skype interview.

Audition

Applicants should prepare the following for audition:

MA/MFA Classical and Contemporary Text (Acting)

In the first round auditions, candidates for MA/MFA Acting Classical and Contemporary Text will be required to perform two monologues, one classical, preferably Shakespeare and in verse, and one contemporary. We consider the contemporary monologue as a monologue from a play written in the last 25 years. The total running time for these two monologues combined should not exceed three minutes. This will be followed by an interview. Candidates who are invited to recalls will be informed which of the two pieces they will be asked to perform at the recall auditions, which will consist of an intensive exploration of that piece with core programme team members, followed by a second interview.

Audition recordings are welcomed from non-UK applicants and should follow the same audition requirements as a live audition.

MA/MFA Classical and Contemporary Text (Directing)

Candidates for the Directing pathway will lead a workshop rehearsal session on a short scene from a Chekhov play, and this will be followed by an interview. The session should constitute the first thirty minutes of a first rehearsal of the text in question. The audition and interview will take one hour.

International Auditions

Whilst most auditions take place at the Conservatoire in Glasgow, we do hold auditions internationally. If you wish to audition overseas, please visit our International site here for further information on that particular application process as well as details about the venue and date(s): https://international.rcs.ac.uk. Should you plan on auditioning overseas, we kindly ask that you submit your application at least one month in advance of the audition date. If you apply less than a month in advance, we cannot guarantee to audition you in person, and we may ask you to submit a recording instead.

If you select ‘RCS’ as the Audition Location on on your application, your audition will take place in Glasgow. We welcome recorded auditions from non-UK applicants. If you wish to audition by recording, please select ‘recording’. If you require further information about auditioning internationally, please email hello@rcs.ac.uk.

 

Following your audition

All decisions will be posted on UCAS Conservatoires following your audition via UCAS Conservatoires Track,  (you will need your username and password). You will also receive notification from UCAS Conservatoires when decisions on all your choices are available.

Please see below for an explanation of UCAS Conservatoires codes:

Guaranteed Unconditional (GU) RCS is satisfied from the information you have given, that you have already met the conditions for entry. Unless your application and/or qualification are subsequently shown to be fraudulent, a guaranteed unconditional offer is binding.

Guaranteed Conditional (GC) RCS has made the offer subject to you meeting certain conditions such as examination results. Conditions can be viewed via UCAS Conservatoires Track. Unless your application and/or qualifications are subsequently shown to be fraudulent, the offer is binding if you accept the offer and meet the conditions. You must meet the conditions of the offer by 31 August 2020, unless an earlier date is specified. If your conditions include obtaining IELTS (English Language test), you must meet this condition by 31 May 2020.

Reserve Unconditional (VU) RCS is satisfied from the information you have given, that you have already met the conditions for entry and you have been offered a place on our reserve pool.

Reserve Conditional (VC) RCS has offered a place on its reserve pool subject to you meeting certain conditions such as examination results. Conditions can be viewed via UCAS Conservatoires Track.

Unsuccessful (R) RCS does not wish to offer you any type of a place.

Replying to offers

As soon as a decision is made, UCAS Conservatoires will let you know. You must reply online via UCAS Conservatoires Track. Your reply date is displayed on Track. If you do not reply by the date given, your offers will be declined automatically. The reply date may be different to other applicants as it is based on when you receive your last decision.

Last decision by	Your reply date is
4 January 2020	30 January 2020
16 March 2020	16 April 2020
16 July 2020	30 July 2020
6 August 2020	9 September 2020
After 6 August 2020	25 September 2020

Please see the UCAS Conservatoires website for more information on replying to offers. If you make an application through UCAS Conservatoires, UCAS or UCAS Teacher Training, you cannot hold more than one confirmed place. A confirmed place in UCAS Conservatoires is a guaranteed unconditional offer as your first choice (GU1) and in UCAS and UCAS Teacher Training it is an unconditional firm (UF) place. If you receive more than one confirmed place, UCAS will ask you to accept one offer and withdraw from any others.

Policy

We have a number of policies and statements which you should read when applying to study at the Royal Conservatoire.

Please select the links below to read each policy.

• Feedback policy
• Equality and diversity
• Applicants with disabilities
• Guidance for applicants with criminal convictions
• Admissions policy