Drama St Mary’s and The Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, have had a number of links over recent years, collaborating on modules and projects with undergraduate and postgraduate students. This month saw them embark on their biggest and most ambitious collaboration, a Master’s degree in Theatre Directing.
The programme is a reimagining of the MA Theatre Directing, which has been running at St Mary’s University, Twickenham since 2005.
The Orange Tree’s Artistic Director Paul Miller said, “We’re working with St Mary’s to provide theatre-based practical training, which will culminate with each participant directing a showcase play here at the Orange Tree in summer 2017.”
The Orange Tree has had numerous successes with directors who have trained within their theatre. Three of the country’s Artistic Directors - Dominic Hill at the Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre, Timothy Sheader at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park and Sean Holmes at the Lyric Hammersmith – were trained as part of the Trainee Directors Scheme. This Master’s programme looks to build on these strong foundations.
The degree, subject to validation, will look to take eight applicants in its first year and will act as a flagship programme for the Drama suite at St Mary’s. This programme is part of a larger revamp of St Mary’s Drama in 2017, offering their new undergraduate BA (Hons) Acting programme, and 2 year Technical Theatre fast-track degree.
Deputy Head of Arts and Humanities Mark Griffin said, “The collaboration will provide a unique training for talented directors who will get to develop their craft in a professional production house. The Orange Tree’s in-the-round venue puts the work under forensic scrutiny. There is simply nowhere for poor directing to hide. We’re very much hoping that this local partnership will yield world class results.”
For further information about this programme please contact Academic Director for Drama, Patsy Gilbert at patsy.gilbert@stmarys.ac.uk
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