The Classical and Contemporary Text programme from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is an intensive year-long course. It is for actors and directors with some experience who want to take their skills to the next level and who want to become more reflective, aspirational practitioners.

There are two strands to the Classical and Contemporary Text Masters – acting or directing – with students working together as an ensemble throughout the year. You will focus on two strands of theatre: classical (Shakespeare and Renaissance Text) and contemporary (original work, new writing and contemporary text). There will be numerous opportunities to learn, experiment, and collaborate in projects, performances, and rehearsals.

As part of your studies, you will complete a one-month residency at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, developing your knowledge and skills of working with classical text.

You will spend time working with some of Scotland’s most talented writers in our collaboration with Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland. You will then have the opportunity to make your own original work. You will also be in public performances of productions of contemporary text.

You’ll end your studies here with 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, including business, entrepreneurship and industry etiquette.

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

You will start with exploring, creating and developing performance texts. If you’re a director, you will work with the actors, participating in practical classes to gain experience in methodologies of voice, movement and acting. You will learn about the processes of new writing and ensemble creation, as well as learning how to get the most out of working collaboratively with playwrights and professional practitioners. Both actors and directors will begin their journey into contemporary text, starting with exploring scenes from existing plays by commissioned playwrights. In the final month of this term, you will spend an intensive month at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London, being taught by Globe Education faculty. This month culminates with a performance on the iconic Globe stage.

Term two

You will rehearse Shakespearean and/or Renaissance texts with professional directors. Directing students will work as assistants and acting students will explore the rehearsal process within the structure of a professional production, to which the industry is invited. There will be sessions on entrepreneurialism, small company start-up and networking, with professional practitioners being invited here to share their knowledge and experience. You will also complete your own practice-led research project, and have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement of your choice. Additionally, there will be the opportunity for North American students to participate in a New York showcase.

Term three

In the final term, the new plays, developed during the year, go into final rehearsal, and performance, led by the directing students. You will participate in workshops and discussions, as well as watch productions, at the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Your year with us will finish with industry showcases in Glasgow and London.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is in the World Top 5 for performing arts education

• Month-long residency at Shakespeare’s Globe, London
• 94% of MA CCT graduate respondents are in employment or further study (HESA, 15/16)
• Industry showcases in Glasgow, London and a New York showcase for North American students
• Work on new plays with commissioned playwrights
• Public performances of classical and contemporary plays
• Small class sizes ensuring individual attention
• Close links with professional partners including the National Theatre of Scotland, the Citizens Theatre and Bard in the Botanics Festival
• 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.

Teaching Staff

Marc Silberschatz – Head of Classical and Contemporary Text

Eve Jamieson – Lecturer in Acting and Directing

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

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

Amy Ludwigsen
Director, Shakespeare in Door County

Riley Madincea  
Film and theatre actor

Ishbel McPharlane  
Actor and writer

Matte O’Brien  
Director and playwright

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

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 2018-19

• UK/EU Students – £12,471
• International (non-EU) – £19,581

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 Classical and Contemporary Text (Acting)

At audition, candidates for the Acting pathway will be required to perform two monologues, one classical, preferably by Shakespeare and in verse, and one contemporary. This will be followed by an interview. Audition recordings are welcomed from non-UK applicants and should follow the audition requirements as a live audition.

MA 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.

Audition Recordings

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 2019 .

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.

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 2019. 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

MA Classical and Contemporary Text (Directing):  701F

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. All auditions/interviews will take place at RCS in Glasgow unless you have chosen another location.

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.

MA Classical and Contemporary Text auditions will take place from February to June.

Where we audition

Whilst most auditions take place at the Conservatoire, we do hold some auditions internationally. If you wish to audition at any of the locations below, please 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’, your audition will be 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 in the locations below, please email hello@rcs.ac.uk.

Audition Locations

Where	When
New York	January 2019
Chicago	February 2019

 

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 2019 .

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 Classical and Contemporary Text (Acting)

At audition, candidates for the Acting pathway will be required to perform two monologues, one classical, preferably by Shakespeare and in verse, and one contemporary. This will be followed by an interview. Audition recordings are welcomed from non-UK applicants and should follow the audition requirements as a live audition.

MA 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.

 

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 2019, unless an earlier date is specified. If your conditions include obtaining IELTS (English Language test), you must meet this condition by 31 May 2019.

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 2019	30 January 2019
16 March 2019	16 April 2019
16 July 2019	30 July 2019
6 August 2019	9 September 2019
After 6 August 2019	25 September 2019

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
• Criminal convictions