PRESS RELEASE
Another step forward in the National Institute of Dramatic Art’s commitment to educating and training leaders in the arts and entertainment industry, was marked today by the announcement of two new graduate courses: the Master of Fine Arts (Directing) and the Master of Fine Arts (Writing for
Performance) for 2014.
The Master of Fine Arts (Directing) and the Master of Fine Arts (Writing for Performance) have been developed to meet the depth of understanding and skill required for artistic leaders in today’s global industry. Graduate students, who are looking to build upon their existing knowledge and skills, will be
challenged to push the boundaries of their abilities to find their artistic voice and authentic creative vision.
Directors undertaking the Master of Fine Arts (Directing) degree will examine the structure of dramatic writing, the work of iconic contemporary directors, write their personal directing manifesto, analyse contemporary performance, and research and write an academic journal article reflecting an aspect of their practice. The focal point of the course is the practical experience of selecting, conceptualising and staging of a theatrical or film production.
Egil Kipste, Head of Directing and Postgraduate Studies at NIDA, explains that Directors undertaking the new course will not only broaden their directing skill, but also learn what is required to be an artistic leader in Australia and at an international level.
“Great artistic leadership requires thorough theoretical understanding, strong communications skills and artistic competencies and these abilities are crucial to any director to ensure that they have the ability to discover their personal, authentic, creative voice,” says Egil.
“This degree is for artists directing performance across all disciplines and I encourage leaders across theatre, film, television and even dance, to apply,” Egil concluded.
Writers in the inaugural Master of Fine Arts (Writing for Performance) degree will be asked to produce an original full length work and study contemporary philosophy, ethics, cultural studies and classical rhetoric, as well as film and creativity. They will be engaged in the vigorous day-to-day life of a vibrant community of theatre and film practitioners, participating in the debates that are framing the future of the art form.
Stephen Sewell, Head of Writing for Performance at NIDA, explains that at the core of the new course is the understanding that great writing stems from a passionate engagement with great ideas.
“This new degree is for people who call themselves writers and who are looking to challenge their skills and their call to writing – what is their voice, what do they have to say?” says Stephen.
“The writers will not only work on taking their creativity to the next level, they will be challenged to bring their stories to life by looking beyond their point of view to achieve excellence in their work.”
The Master of Fine Arts is a 15-month degree taught at NIDA in Sydney but the final three months, during which students write up their research findings into a journal article, may be undertaken anywhere. Applications for NIDA’s 2014 graduate programs in Directing and Writing for Performance
are open until 31 October 2013.
See www.nida.edu.au for more information about the application process.