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MA Teaching (Creative Performance Practice)

MA Teaching (Creative Performance Practice)

Course Leader Chris Hill
Course Location Wigan, Greater Manchester
Study Level Postgraduate
Study Mode Full Time
Course Length 1 Year
Application Free
Awarding Body St Mary’s University, London
(subject to validation)
  Apply Now

This innovative teaching course for performing arts professionals is designed for experienced artists or tutors who want to develop their teaching skills in a conservatoire setting.

The course is a high-level, practical and vocational experience which offers a chance to work inside a drama school with student actors as well as offering placement opportunities in the industry. Focusing on the specifics of teaching in a conservatoire environment, this new course has been designed to meet the changing needs of the drama school sector and to create teaching practitioners who are equipped to challenge existing practice to engage in a critically reflective pedagogy and cultivate truly current modes of performer training.

With a broad range of skills development and an ethos of creativity, this course will also develop a network of skilled professionals who will nurture the next generations of performance talent.

  • Overview
  • Entry Requirements
  • Fees and Dates
  • Admissions and Assessment

The MA Teaching (Creative Performance Practice) is currently in the process of being validated by St Marys University, therefore full module descriptions are not yet available. The following is an indication of the teaching content but may be subject to change:

Teaching in a Conservatoire (60 credits)

This core module will give the students experience of working at the academy developing a portfolio of work that evidences the merging of their theoretical work with their practice in action, through opportunities such as placements and observations.

Educational Theory and Creative Practice (20 credits)

The module aims to examine the wider world of educational theory encouraging students to consider this in relation to their own theoretical practice and ALRA’s context. The dichotomy of educating and facilitating training will be examined and considered through existing academic discussions and the generation of a systemic practice within the module. 

Applied Creative Performance Practice (20 credits)

The aim of this module will be to focus on the experience of applying educational theory to the artistic experience of learners who in some way face a barrier to accessing arts education. The learning will focus on experiencing performance practice through multiple entry points that demand the student uses creative, ethical modalities of communicating to learners.

Body, Voice, Image (20 Credits)

Students will engage with practical exercises that encourage a deep enquiry of the interlinking of imaginative processes that effect our physicality, vocal life and imagination. Responding to current research that relates to current rehearsal practice, as well following a mindful and reflective journey, the module will leave you with an ability to engage with and utilise a range of psycho-physical practices that will enliven creative performance practice.

Ethical Approaches to Embodied Practice (20 Credits)

In this module the student will explore how they might manage the ethical considerations of the texts and starting points that they engage with, within their own practice, and the responsibilities they have to their creative collaborators.

Various approaches to this work are embedded within the module with both ongoing practice and singular intervention examined through practical work and seminars.

Creative Performance Practice Research Project (40 Credits)

The Personal Creative Practice Project draws on the student’s ability to use arts-based research to interrogate an area of their practice. Throughout the module students will engage in rehearsal or research-based processes that examine an area of interest, resulting in a performed, filmed or written response to this experience that in some way stabilizes their enquiry.

Based in the vibrant campus of ALRA North in Wigan, greater Manchester, the new one-year Teaching (Creative Performance Practice) masters level degree is the perfect next step for drama teachers, practitioners and graduates who want to be fully prepared to work in a teaching context with students who are training for the profession today.

This, alongside ALRA’s refreshed vocational curriculum, is an exciting opportunity to prepare tutors for a challenging and bespoke approach to their developing practice as pedagogs and/or andragogs, with a focus towards a fresh and current approach to actor training in the conservatoire sector.

Candidates will be expected to have a 2.2 at BA (Hons) in cognate subject or will have acquired experience through work or other means that enables staff responsible for admissions to be confident of the candidate's ability to succeed in the programme. This recognition of prior learning will be gathered in the form of references from recognised professionals in the field.

If English is not your first language, you must be fluent in English (you may be asked for proof of this). Candidates will require a level 6.5 in the IELTS (International English Language Test System).

Fees for 2020 Entry

Term

Annual

Deposit

TOTAL

MA Teaching (Creative Performance Practice)

2,500

7,500

400

7,900

 

Fees for 2020 Entry

Term

MA Teaching (Creative Performance Practice)

2,500

Fees for 2020 Entry

Annual

MA Teaching (Creative Performance Practice)

7,500

Fees for 2020 Entry

Deposit

MA Teaching (Creative Performance Practice)

400

Fees for 2020 Entry

TOTAL

MA Teaching (Creative Performance Practice)

7,900

Applicants can sign up to an interview date of their choice and once this is complete they will be emailed with a time. This can be done here. 

Applicants are asked to send their CV along with 500 words about their experience and interest in teaching to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 24 hours in advance of their interview.

At interview, applicants will demonstrate sufficient potential to develop their personal creative process within the field of teaching. The applicant will discuss their reasons for wanting to take the course and discuss their CV and experience which demonstrates aspects of the relevant work.

ALRA understands that choosing to go to drama school is a big decision. We have put together some useful information to help you through the application process and beyond.

Here is some useful information for applicants:

  • FAQs

    Read More

  • Next Interview / Audition Dates

    Read More

  • Audition Guidelines

    Auditions Guidelines

    For information on Free Auditions please see this page.

    • Your Audition
    • Audition Format

    For Acting Courses

    There are new guidelines for 2020 entry, set out below:

    Each applicant is asked to prepare three audition pieces.

    • a contemporary monologue (from a play written post 2000)
    • a piece of poetry OR spoken word OR a second contemporary monologue (this piece should be contrasting from your first and can but does not have to be self-written)
    • a classical monologue (this can be Shakespearean/Jacobean/Elizabethan or an equivalent text that may be from cultures other than western classical text but contain elements of rhythm and poetry

    Please make sure you have read the whole plays your monologues come from and that it works as a stand-alone speech, not requiring input from another character.

    Ensure that you:

    • Prepare and learn your pieces thoroughly
    • Choose pieces that are close to you in age
    • Do not use props or costume
    • Use only your natural accent
    • Wear clothing that's easy to move in (i.e. no tight jeans/skirts etc.)

    ALRA is assessing you on the following qualities and abilities throughout the day: 

    • Truth, focus and concentration
    • Potential to express thought and feeling through text, movement and voice
    • Openness and responsiveness to others, imagination and creativity
    • Ability to take direction

    For further help and advice, please see our FAQ Audition Advice Videos

    Other Courses

    MA Directing

    Applicants for the MA Directing course must sign up to an assessment day for the course here.

    On the application they must provide 500 words (in the personal statement section) on their interest and experience in Directing/Theatre.

    On the assessment day applicants will complete the following:

    • A workshop
    • A directing task
    • An interview

    In the workshop, the applicant will be assessed on ensemble, performance and skill.

    The directing task (with ALRA acting students or graduates) is designed to explore communication as well as investigate the applicant’s artistic concept. This task will be presented then artistic rationale of the task will be discussed with the Course Leader and other senior members of faculty.

    Finally, at interview, applicants will demonstrate sufficient potential to develop their personal creative process within the field of directing. The applicant will discuss their reasons for wanting to take the course and discuss their experience which demonstrates aspects of the relevant work.

    MA Teaching (Creative Performance Practice)

    Applicants can sign up to an interview date of their choice and once this is complete they will be emailed with a time. This can be done here.

    Applicants are asked to send their CV along with 500 words about their experience and interest in teaching to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 24 hours in advance of their interview.

    At interview, applicants will demonstrate sufficient potential to develop their personal creative process within the field of teaching. The applicant will discuss their reasons for wanting to take the course and discuss their CV and experience which demonstrates aspects of the relevant work. 

    MFA Linklater Teaching Practice (Voice and Theatre Arts)

    On the assessment day applicants will present the following:

    • A Classical Speech (this can be Shakespearean/Jacobean/Elizabethan or an equivalent text that may be from cultures other than western classical text but contain elements of rhythm and poetry)
    • A Contemporary Speech
    • A Song (unaccompanied verse and chorus of any chosen song)

    Applicants will then take part in a workshop where they will be assessed on ensemble, performance and skill.

    Finally, applicants will be invited to interview.

    ALRA offers various provisions for access to our full-time courses for applicants:

    • Auditions, Interviews & Workshops at ALRA North & South Campus
    • Workshops & Auditions at Private Outreach  Venues
    • Auditions, Interviews & Workshops at Regional UK Venues
    • Preliminary Online Assessments for International Students
    • Auditions, Interviews & Workshops at International Venues
    • Collaborative Partnerships

    ALRA follows the ‘Auditioning and interviewing for Dance & Drama Code of Practice’ as detailed on the CDMT and EFA websites.

    Audition Days (All Acting Courses)

    Selection is made by audition that takes place over one day. Applicants will be considered based on performance of text, vocal and physical suitability and individual interview.

    The day will consist of two stages.

    Stage 1 all applicants will perform their two contrasting contemporary audition pieces (see Your Audition tab above).

    At this point the panel will consider all applicants and decide who will progress to the next stage.

    Stage 2 applicants will participate in a workshop, perform their classical monologue and finally be invited to interview.

    There are opportunities to talk to staff and students throughout the audition process.

    Audition Day Format

    This is a rough format of how a typical audition day runs.*

    Stage 1

    • 9.00 – 9.30: Arrival and Registration
    • 9.30 – 10.15: Warm Up
    • 10.15 – 11.15: Audition Piece One
    • 11.30 – 12.30: Audition Piece Two

    Stage Two (for applicants who progress onto this stage)

    • 1.00 – 2.00: Workshop
    • 2.00 – 3.30: Audition Piece Three
    • 3.30: Interview

    *Please note that the times given may vary, dependant on numbers. 

    Audition Results

    ALRA operates an Equal Opportunities Policy: all candidates will be assessed on their potential to meet the demands of the course and considered entirely on the basis of merit. Those showing the most aptitude at audition will be considered for Dance and Drama Awards.  

    The audition panel for all full-time courses are run by Course Leaders, Lead Tutors and Senior Staff members, final selection is completed by the Principal and Registrar.

    Successful applicants will have demonstrated a significant degree of talent, ability, preparation, aptitude and commitment as well as the ability to make a positive contribution to, and benefit from training with ALRA. 

    Audition results are usually processed and sent out via email as well as available on the Audition Management System within ten working days of the date of audition. ALRA always aspires to inform applicants of the audition result within this timeframe but during busier times results can take longer and we ask for patience and understanding in these circumstances.

     

    Feedback from Auditionees

    • Thank you for the opportunity, and for providing a thoroughly enjoyable experience... even if I don't get a place I have loved the experience.
      Natasha Davidson
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    Apply Now

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  • Fees & Funding

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  • International Applications

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Prospectus
ALRA's Notable Alumni
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Reasons to study at ALRA
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    ALRA is a leading conservatoire drama school with a reputation for training hard working, fully-rounded professional actors.
  • ALRA’s acting training includes specialist instruction in stage, film, TV, audio, comedy, voice and movement and is supported with contextual studies to prepare for work.
  • ALRA is a leading conservatoire drama school with a reputation for training hard working, fully-rounded professional actors.
  • ALRA has built strong relationships within the industry and our showcases and productions are directed and attended by agents, directors, casting directors, writers, producers and our own inspiring Alumni.
  • ALRA’s resident teams are dedicated, talented professionals with a wealth of knowledge and experience and a passion for teaching. Our students are supported in all aspects of their studies.
  • ALRA’s reputation of securing opportunities for students grows each year and our Alumni are working in the West End, Regional and Touring Theatre Productions, as well as in Film, TV and Comedy both in the UK and beyond.
  • ALRA recruits a comparatively small number of students each year so that everybody has our full attention and feels part of the school from the moment they arrive.
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Awarding Bodies

St Mary's University |Accredited Arama Course

Institutional Accreditations

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