MFA Theatre Directing

In addition to the information required on the online form, you are also required to upload a copy of each of the following:

a) A letter that outlines your theatre education and theatre directing experience to date, this may also include experience in other areas of theatre as well as directing in film. Please note, however, that applicants will require some
theatre directing experience to be accepted on to the course

b) A statement outlining your ambitions in terms of theatre directing. In this you can include what theatre is to you, why you have chosen a career in theatre directing, the work you want to make, why you want to pursue a MFA in Theatre Directing and your future plans

c) a résumé (CV) clearly listing your education, experience in theatre and theatre directing

d) a portfolio of your theatre and directing work. We accept portfolios as PDFs, websites or in any other
convenient format

e) a critical assessment of recently directed work. This is an analysis of a production directed by the applicant. It is an overall evaluation of their process; from the initial artistic impulse, their ambitions for the work, their pre-production plans and the development of the work, an analyses of their process when working with designers, actors, and the production team, and finally a reflection and critical analyses of the work achieved and any learning outcomes.

f) two references/testimonials; ; one from those familiar with your work and one from third level education. It is a good idea to reach out and ensure that those uploading your references are aware of your application and have received the notification to upload their testimonial.

It would be extremely helpful if you could name the files according to the following format when uploading: NameLastnamePortfolio, NameLastnameCV etc.

APPLY FOR THE MFA THEATRE DIRECTING (BOTH FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME) VIA TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN AT THIS LINK.

Contemporary Theatre Practice
This compulsory module will introduce students to a range of contemporary theatre practices. It will focus on Irish and international artists and companies, with a particular emphasis on contemporary productions staged in the theatres of Dublin. The principal aim of the course is to enable students to become conversant in the styles, forms, theories and practices that constitute contemporary theatre making in Ireland and across the world. The Contemporary Theatre Practice module is shared by all Master in Fine Art students (directors, designers and playwrights).

Directing Workshop
In this compulsory module students will investigate various directing processes in a workshop format. Students will work with The Lir’s Head of Directing and visiting directors, as well as professional and student actors. Students will receive both group feedback and individual tuition in the development of their craft. Workshops will cover such areas as: text and a creative world-view; developing an awareness of the professional directing context; developing an explicit, personal aesthetic; working collaboratively with actors and other artists. This module also outlines career development and provides a constructive framework for group and self critique. It introduces research skills and rehearsal etiquette by working in a professional environment. The overall aim of this module is to prepare students to direct a play in the Theatre Production Module.

Theatre Production
This compulsory module aims to enable students to apply the skills acquired in the other Modules to the development of their individual creative voice and practice, and in the direction of a theatre performance of between 30-60 minutes which will be showcased to the professional industry as part of The Lir’s on-going programme of public performances and events. Each student will be individually supervised in pre-production, rehearsals, tech and public performances throughout Term Three and over the summer months. Two Assistant Director placements working alongside professional theatre directors will form a key component of the preparation for the final production.

Dramaturgy for Theatre Directing
This elective module is taught by a professional dramaturge. Its aim is to introduce students to a range of dramatic texts for the theatre with an emphasis on the dramaturgical composition of those texts. An understanding of the contexts within which those dramaturgical strategies were produced will also be fostered. This seminar-based module requires students to examine key problems related to the creation and structure of scripts for performance. Students will consider a variety of theories regarding dramatic structure, consider the research requirements of script creation, explore different approaches to script development and learn to apply a dramaturgical vocabulary to a number of case studies. Similar to the Contemporary Theatre Practice module, Dramaturgy is shared with MFA playwriting students (for whom it is a compulsory module) and MFA design students (for whom it is an elective module) and is supported by specific tutorials focusing on each individual strand of the MFA programme.

Throughout the training students will be develop skills of the practitioners of theatre other than the theatre director, with a view to them becoming proficient in and conversant with the creativity of others, and to enhance the craft of the student director by broadening their experience of theatre making. Students will explore the crafts of the actor, designer, stage manager, production manager and stage technician through workshops with teachers and professionals in the various disciplines.

Fees for 2023/24

Full-time fees (EU/UK)….€12,250

Full-time fees (Non-EU)…. €22,290

Part-time fees (EU/UK) €6,120 p.a.

Part-time fees (Non-EU) €12,260 p.a.

Student levis and charges... €293 (full-time,)

€225.50 (part-time p.a)


Please note, tuition fees and other charges are subject to annual review by Trinity College Dublin which may result in a fee increase each year. All students (Undergraduate and Postgraduate, EU & Non EU) on courses/programmes of study of more than one year should be aware that tuition fees and other charges (Commencement/graduation fee, Sports Centre Charge and USI levy) may be subject to increase annually. The annual revision is approved by Trinity’s Committee and College Board and typically increase by approximately 3% per annum or more in any given year.

For funding opportunities see more below.

1. The Colm Ó Briain Scholarship

This fund will provide a scholarship of €10,000 to be awarded each year to a student on our BA in Acting or our MFA in Theatre Directing programmes. We will soon be accepting applications for this award for the coming academic year, starting in October 2024. For more information on how to apply contact us at admissions@thelir.ie by clicking here.

2. The Emerging Director Award

Following graduation, emerging directors will be eligible to submit to this award, which supports working as an assistant director, renumerated at an industry-standard rate as well as a travel and subsistence allowance and several one-on-one mentorship sessions on a theatre project. This award has been made possible with the support of Dónal McKeating and director Marc Atkinson Borrull. You can read about it at this link here.

3. The Haddad Fellowship

The Haddad Fellowship includes The Lir Academy's MFA Playwriting, Stage Design and Theatre Directing courses. It is available for Brazilian students and covers the travel, living and education costs of the course for up to €35000. Applications for the scholarship open in January each year, and we advise students to apply early. Read more about the Haddad Fellowship and the eligibility criteria at this link.

4. SUSI Grant

The SUSI Grant can be accessed by EU and international students who have lived in Ireland for three out of the past five years. The grant is income-assessed and you can use the Eligibility Reckoner online to see if you qualify at this link.

5.The Lir Academy Bursary

The Lir Academy Bursary is available for EU students and it is income-assessed. Applicants can only apply for it once they have been offered a place. For more information about this contact us at admissions@thelir.ie - click here.

6. Trinity College Dublin Funding

Trinity College Dublin offers a variety of funding opportunities for EU and international students. You can read about them at these two links - here and here.

7. European Excellence Awards

A bursary towards fee costs for EU-fee status students. Applicants can only apply for it once they have been offered a place. Applications usually open in March and close at the end of June each year. If you are an EU-fee status student, you can read more about the European Excellence Awards here.

8. Higher Education Authority for non-EU/EEA countries

Each year the Higher Education Authority (HEA) run an International Education Scholarships Programme - see more here. Under the initiative, 60 scholarships will be provided for one year of study at Bachelor, Masters or PhD levels to successful candidates who have an offer of a place at an eligible Irish higher education institution. The offer is open to students from non-EU/EEA countries and is applicable to all fields of study.

Download the course handbook here