Overview
Course Overview
This MFA course, the first of its kind in Ireland, is a practice-based professional degree which aims to equip students of exceptional talent with the skills necessary to pursue a career in the professional theatre and related industries through the development of skills, professional practices and creative approaches to theatre producing. It encourages a self-reflexive approach to learning with a view to developing independent thinking and collaboratively-focused producers. Graduates of the existing strands have had considerable success working as professional directors, designers and playwrights across Irish theatre and throughout the world.
Career Opportunities
This MFA programme will upskill and equip students to specialise in theatre producing. It is tailored to provide talented individuals with the necessary skills to pursue a career in the professional theatre and related industries. The Lir Academy MFA graduates are highly successful in their chosen fields and have gone on to work in major venues and institutions in Ireland and abroad.
Course Content and Structure
Like all the existing MFA strands in Stage Design, Theatre Directing and Playwriting, the Theatre Producing strand is determinedly and unapologetically practice-based and skills focused. Alongside their consideration of the state of the artform itself, students will acquire the specific tools they will need to start work as professional theatre producers the day they graduate from the programme. Workshops and seminars will be led by theatre practitioners including leading theatre producers. Students will acquire the specific skills required to work as a professional producer whilst also considering changes and development in the art form itself as well as theglobal theatre-making ecology.
Course Details
Awards
NFQ Level 9Number of Places
4-8 PlacesNext Intake
September 2025
Course Director
Gavin O'Donoghue
Closing Date
31st March 2025
Admission Requirements
- Letter of application – a letter that outlines your theatre education and theatre directing experience to date (this may also include experience in other areas of theatre as well as directing in film). Applicants are required to have some theatre directing experience to be accepted onto the course.
- Statement of purpose – a statement outlining your ambitions in terms of theatre directing. In this you can include what theatre is to you, why you have chosen a career in theatre directing, the work you want to make, why you want to pursue a MFA in Theatre Directing and your future plans.
- Resume – a CV clearly listing your education and experience in theatre and theatre directing.
- Portfolio – a portfolio of your theatre and directing work. We accept portfolios as PDFs, websites or in any other convenient format.
- Critical assessment – a critical assessment of recently directed work. This is an analysis of a production directed by the applicant. It is an overall evaluation of their process; from the initial artistic impulse, their ambitions for the work, their pre-production plans and the development of the work, an analyses of their process when working with designers, actors, and the production team, and finally a reflection and critical analyses of the work achieved and any learning outcomes.
- Two references – two references or testimonials; one from those familiar with your work and one from third level education. It is a good idea to reach out and ensure that those uploading your references are aware of your application and have received the notification to upload their testimonial.
English Language Requirements
All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.
Course Fees
Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees
Apply
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Get in Touch
Telephone Number
+353 (0) 1 896 2559
Website
Register Your Interest
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