Directing (Theatre, Opera and Musical Theatre)

Entry requirements

Some applicants will have completed an undergraduate degree or similar higher education qualification, while others will have experience working in a related – or unrelated – industry. As a result, we don’t have a list of specific academic qualifications for entry onto this course. A passion and desire for creating live theatre and a genuine interest in an enduring career as theatre director is a top requirement.

Please note there is no application fee for this course.

What you'll need to submit

We select candidates based on their application, CV and personal statement or self-taped video outlining your ambitions for your work as a director.

For your CV, you’ll need to include details of your professional or professional-level experience in theatre (not limited to directing). Please also provide a clear record of any directing experience – professional or otherwise.

In your personal statement, please consider the following questions. Keep your answer to 500 words or fewer:

• What do you believe to be the role of a theatre director in relation to actors and other creative collaborators?
• Describe briefly how you might approach the direction of a particular play, opera or theatre piece of your choice.
• What kind of theatre, opera or company would you want to work in as a director? Why?

Use your personal statement to reflect on your experiences, creative inspirations and ambitions – we value honesty and diverse perspectives.

In particular, we’re interested in your:

• motivation and understanding of the director's role
• creative instincts and artistic inspirations
• your ability to reflect on creative practice
• awareness of the wider theatre industry and career development practicalities
• engagement with contemporary work, directors, and practices
• potential for growth on the course

If you’re successful at this stage, we’ll invite you to attend an interview and work with actors in a directing workshop.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This two-year MFA in Directing at Wales’ national conservatoire prepares you to create the stage productions of tomorrow, offering an unrivalled combination of world-class training, industry connections and hands-on experience.

Bridging the gap between training and the professional world, the course will give you the skills to explore your artistic identity and navigate the directorial challenges of contemporary theatre and opera.

Why choose the MFA in Directing at RWCMD?

Train at one of the UK’s top conservatoires
RWCMD is considered one of the best places to study drama in the UK. With our MFA in Directing, you’ll get outstanding teaching alongside practical experience in a professional training environment, all in readiness for your career as a director of theatre and opera.

Expert teaching and mentorship from leading practitioners
You’ll be guided by a team of tutors operating at the top of their field. Their extensive experience and insight into the professional world will prepare you for the demands of the multifaceted world of theatre production, aligning your training with current industry standards.

Tailored training in a safe and supportive environment
Our small cohort sizes – fewer than six – means you’ll get personalised mentorship and a high level of support from your tutors, as well as the space and freedom to really push your creative boundaries.

Real-world experience and professional links
We have strong partnerships with some of the most prestigious theatre companies and producers in the UK, including the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), National Theatre, Young Vic, Sherman Theatre, Theatr Clwyd, Welsh National Opera (WNO), English National Opera, Royal Opera House and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Our partnerships with these companies will allow you to build your network of industry contacts and potentially open up employment opportunities.

Collaborations with other creatives
You’ll train alongside peers from other departments across the College, giving you an opportunity to build creative partnerships that could last a lifetime. These cross disciplinary interactions also enrich your training and reflect the collaborative nature of the professional theatre and opera worlds.

Sessions with acclaimed visiting directors and practitioners
You’ll regularly attend masterclasses with renowned directors, practitioners and artistic directors from the UK’s major theatres. They’ll share their knowledge and expertise, contributing to your training in the craft of directing and offering you insights into the professional world.

Train in Wales’s capital city
You’ll study in the centre of Cardiff, a creative, affordable city that boasts a thriving theatre community allowing you opportunities to collaborate and network – a skill that is essential to building a successful freelance career.

Study in a vibrant arts centre environment
Every year, world-renowned artists and groups visit our campus as part of our internationally recognised public performance programme of opera, musical theatre, orchestral concerts and award-winning drama. We encourage you to attend as many of these events as possible, all available to you at a student rate.