Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: new postgrad course bolsters aim to train theatremakers of the future

Skills development

When it comes to developing students’ individual skills, continues Maddison, the MA/MFA Production (Design/Management) has no set curriculum. Whatever a student’s practice – from lighting design to stage management – and in whatever direction their interests lie, the programme can be tailored to fit their experience and their ambitions. 

“That strand of the course is entirely based on what they need,” she explains. “Students will arrive with existing core skills and we can help them develop whatever areas they would like to develop. They might be a sound designer who wants to do more composition. They might be a set designer who wants to explore costume. They might be a stage manager that wants to develop a specific technical skill. We can make that happen.” 

Alongside this development of their individual skills, students will explore the vitally important social, political, cultural and environmental aspects of working in theatre. 

“If you are working in the modern performing arts industry, you need to have an awareness and an understanding of all these considerations,” says Maddison. “You have to be able to think about environmental sustainability. You have to be culturally aware. You have to be sensitive to your own and other people’s circumstances. All of that is crucial.” 

“So, on the programme, we study the Theatre Green Book, which is a manual for making theatre in a sustainable way, and students contemplate how those methods can be best incorporated into their practice,” continues Maddison. “Similarly, we look at inclusivity, and students consider how they can effectively and empathetically collaborate with everybody, whatever their practical and emotional needs.”

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Collaborative ethos

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s MA/MFA Production (Design/Management) will explore all of this – individual skill development, sustainable and inclusive practice, and more – through ensemble activities, work placements, and live production roles, with guidance from the institution’s award-winning staff and visiting industry professionals. 

“Collaboration is at the core of everything,” says Maddison. “Students will work closely with emerging directors and actors on the MA/MFA Classical and Contemporary Text programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, forming creative ensembles and producing live performances that will be open to the public. They will also complete placements with theatres and companies in Glasgow, in Scotland, and beyond, resulting in a myriad opportunities to put their studies into practice.” 

Students on the MA programme will graduate after 12 months, ready to take their learning into the industry, explains Maddison. Students on the longer MFA programme will take four further months, during which they will have the opportunity to collaborate further with other students at the Conservatoire or to pursue personal research or production-based activities.

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Cutting-edge facilities

Aside from work placements, the entire MA/MFA Production (Design/Management) will take place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s home in the heart of Glasgow, or at its cutting-edge Wallace Studios campus at Speirs Locks in nearby Cowcaddens. The institution was founded in 1847 and known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama until 2011. It moved into its current home on Renfrew Street in 1988, where it has trained generations of successful actors, musicians and other artists ever since. 

“We have six performance venues here, including the 344-seat New Athenaeum Theatre and the 125-seat Chandler Studio Theatre,” says Maddison. “We have design studios and production workshops at Wallace Studios, as well. We have everything here.” 

“Glasgow is a great city to be a student in, too,” she continues. “There are several other universities alongside us, including the Glasgow School of Art. There is the King’s Theatre, the Theatre Royal, the Tron Theatre, A Play, a Pie and a Pint, and the Citizens Theatre, which will be reopening later this year. Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland have bases in Glasgow and there are loads of gigs and galleries and festivals. It is a really vibrant city. There is always something going on.” 

“Edinburgh and its August festivals are only a 45-minute train ride away,” Maddison adds. “And, of course, there is some breathtaking scenery right on our doorstep.” 

Application process

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is accepting applications to start its MA/MFA Production (Design/Management) in September until March 31. Applicants will be asked to submit a 1,000-word statement reflecting on their professional journey so far and complete an interview before they are awarded a place on the programme. 

“We expect applicants to either have a relevant undergraduate degree or a few years’ experience in the industry,” says Maddison. “Whatever their background, though, we are looking for students who are committed to both developing their own skills and developing the industry as a whole. We are looking for the theatremakers of the future.”

For more information, visit www.rcs.ac.uk