MA Performance Design and Practice responds to and engages with tradition and change in the arena of contemporary performance and experimental theatre practice. The postgraduate course contributes to the debates surrounding the core territories of performance making, design and time-based practices.

MA Performance Design and Practice also acknowledges the hybrid nature of contemporary performance work and promotes a critical exploration of conventional fixed boundaries between fine art performance and theatre.

Central to the MA Performance Design and Practice ethos is a recognition of international models of performance design and practice - models that have shaped the debates challenging many of the established definitions, functions and roles identified with performance making. From these debates key practitioners, organisations, events and texts have emerged. It remains a core aspect of the postgraduate course ethos to give you direct experience of these models and materials through an inspirational learning placement outside the UK.

Focusing on the sphere of performance culture where ideas and orthodoxies are in flux, the postgraduate programme brings together fine artists, directors, writers, researchers and designers to set the agendas that will drive performance practice in the 21st century.

MA Performance Design and Practice lasts 60 weeks structured as two consecutive periods of 30 weeks each, (ie, two academic years) in its 'extended full time mode.'

MA Performance Design and Practice is credit rated at 180 credits, and comprises 3 units. Unit 1, (40 credits) and Unit 2, (20 credits) run concurrently and last 15 weeks. Unit 3 (120 credits) follows after the completion of Units 1 and 2 and runs for 45 weeks.

Students successfully achieving Units 1 and 2 may exit at this point with the award of Postgraduate Certificate.

All three units must be passed in order to achieve the MA but the classification of the award of MA is derived from the mark for unit 3 only.

In year one you are expected to be able to commit an average of 40 hours per week. In year two your study is predominantly self-managed but you are expected to commit an average of 20 hours per week. Across the two years you therefore commit an average of 30 hours per week.

MA Performance Design and Practice encourages you to question how your work relates to the broader context of performance practices while developing approaches to design, composition/ authorship and performing located within the broad and interconnected contexts of experimental theatre practice, live art and dramaturgy through design.

Experimental theatre means innovative theatrical practices that exist outside of the mainstream of theatrical production and presentation. It particularly identifies work that challenges the formal orthodoxies of theatrical language and the nature of the theatrical event. Artists working in this area include: Station House Opera, The Wooster Group, Forced Entertainment and Robert Wilson.

Live art defines a body of performance practices, which have developed out of the traditions and concerns of fine art practice. By the nature of its origin in the visual arts, it crosses many disciplinary boundaries such as sculpture, installation, video, and performance art, and proposes alternative approaches to time-based work. Artists working in this area include: Franko B, Station House Opera, Laurie Anderson and Societas Raffaelo Sanzio.

Dramaturgy through design describes alternative approaches to performance design. Central to this definition is the recognition of alternative theatrical traditions where the principal language is in a visual register in contrast to that of mainstream theatrical performance, where the written text continues to dominate. Artists working in this re defined area place 'design' at the centre of the creative process and frequently claim primary authorship of the performance. Artists working in this area include: Robert Wilson, Robert Lepage, Societas Raffaelo Sanzio and Stefano Lazarides.

Course units

Unit 1 - Practice and Design in Context

This unit prepares and develops you practically and conceptually in preparation for the successful completion of the Independent Project Proposal, and subsequently the Independent Project itself.

Over the fifteen weeks of the unit you'll be asked to present three proposals for projects. Proposals can take many forms: models, scripts, storyboards, power point presentations, realised fragments of larger works, or works in progress. These proposals will form the basis of a tutorial dialogue that aims to channel your practice and scholarly interests into a coherent project proposal for Unit 3, presented at the end of the unit.

Unit 2 - Thinking as Practice (Research Methodologies 1)

This unit, common to all courses within our Postgraduate Art Programme, helps you engage with the postgraduate and research community at CSM.

Fundamental research skills are introduced to help you make informed decisions about appropriate methods to use in your chosen area of study and your professional future. The unit examines specific research skills and different kinds of research. Skills and knowledge areas covered include interviewing, literature search and review, archival skills, software for use in research and e-resources, feasibility studies, data analysis, referencing, citation and bibliographic conventions, and ethics. Seminars and workshops emphasise participation and the building of core research skills through practical exercises and small group projects.

Lectures ask how arts research and discourse is developed, shared and understood. The focus is on methods of learning, thinking, evaluation and interpretation as both practice based and theoretical forms of enquiry. The diversity of research activity at CSM provides a broad range of models and examples, with particular attention given to the place of practice in research projects.

Unit 3 - Independent Project

Your aims and learning are united in this unit, bringing the relationships between your ideas and research methods, the forms, theoretical and professional contexts of your practice to a level of resolution. This unit has two parts. You'll undertake the first in the second half of year one and the second (more independently) in year two. The unit's 45 weeks represent a major opportunity to bring your practice to a level of resolution. The first 15 weeks focus on your developing practice according to objectives defined in your study statement and the aims of your research paper. The unit takes an ambitious approach to practice, heightening your awareness of current ideas in the professional arena.

The first part consists of either a single extended or a series of shorter projects. Normally these projects take place in mainland Europe, but in the future they may also happen beyond Europe or within the UK. Organised by the MA Performance Design and Practice course team, they usually take the form of collaborative practical projects. Working alongside your peers, independently or under the direction of an artist or tutor, you'll realise collectively a particular brief in a particular context.

In the second part, (year two), you engage more independently to produce a body of work for presentation, combined with completing your written work.

You continue to meet for critical debates and tutorial support, and lead interim presentations about your work, in person and online, discussing progress, challenges and discoveries, and issues of form, audience and presentation.

You will normally be expected to produce practical work within one of two defined modalities:

• As practice as research, in which case work should be clearly experimental and explorative of defined formal aspects of performance practice

OR

• As professional performance, in which case work should be shown publicly, outside of the College, and engage with the specific demands of the context of its production

Throughout the second year there will be regular events designed to bring the cohort together at key points.
At the end of Unit 3 you are assessed through your practical work and the written paper, the finalised Independent Project Proposal, and a self-evaluative report documenting and analysing your progress through the unit. These different pieces of work should synthesise to reflect your conceptual, practical and professional abilities.

MA Performance Design and Practice prepares you particularly for independent professional practice. Many of our graduates form their own creative companies and partnerships. MA Performance Design and Practice graduates have gone on to work in art, design and performance in a range of roles, producing and presenting work in many creative contexts including festivals, art centres and venues around the world.

MA Performance Design and Practice students leave with a specialist individual understanding of performance practice from a chosen perspective. The experience you gain on the postgraduate course enables you to progress to professional practice, working, for example, in theatre, television, film, opera or dance. Some students go on to direct, write or produce. Others progress to research degree study. MA Performance Design and Practice supports its graduates via a company that offers initial professional experience and publicity.

Recent alumni activity demonstrates the breadth of student activity within the subject. Many graduates from MA Performance Design and Practice have gone on to achieve professional success. For example, 2010 graduate Catrin Osborne has been appointed Director in Residence at Circus Space, London, 2010 graduate Ruchita Madhok has an Internship at the V&A Museum, London, 2010 graduate Payal Wadhwa has gained a place on the Royal Court Theatre's writing programme. 2009 graduate successes include Susan Leen on a Studio internship with Lucy Orta and David Shearing, appointed to a teaching and research post at Leeds University. 2008 graduate Ingwill Fossheim has a Design Internship at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

MA Performance Design and Practice entry requirements are: Honours degree; evidence of experiential learning equivalent to a degree; or 3 years relevant professional experience.

English language requirement

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you send us an English language test score together with your application to prove your level of proficiency. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please clearly indicate this on your application form. When you have received your test score, please send it to us immediately. The standard English language requirement for entry is IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in any one paper, or equivalent. For further information visit the Language Centre website.
 
Applicants who will need a Tier 4 General Student Visa should check the External English Tests page which provides important information about UK Border Agency (UKBA) requirements. 

What we look for

MA Performance Design and Practice suits artists with a background or demonstrable interest in theatre design, visual performance or related practice including dance, film, video and time-based media. Although it particularly suits individuals interested in time-based or narrative art forms, it also attracts those involved in broader performance-related practices.

Appropriate related backgrounds include architecture, photography, installation, live art or other interdisciplinary art practices.

Student selection criteria

The application, indicative Project Proposal and supporting material will be assessed for:

• The quality of the applicant's practice
• Evidence that the applicant understands the nature of a practice based research or professional project at Masters level and has a grasp of the methodologies necessary for them to effectively deliver the project outcomes
• The appropriateness of the applicant's practice and indicative research / professional interests to the programme to which they are applying
• Evidence that the applicant has the confidence and ability to benefit from and contribute to the learning environment at postgraduate level

Applicants may be selected for interview following submission of the form, indicative Project Proposal and supporting work. The interview is used to evaluate the extent to which a candidate demonstrates:

• An intelligent and mature approach to their practice
• The capacity for independent research;
• Appropriate critical abilities;
• An awareness of the cultural and social context within which they practice
• Appropriate communication skills and a preparedness to participate collaboratively in debate and practice

Portfolio and interview advice

Your portfolio should be in the form of up to 20 images of your work on CD or slides (4Mb limit per image). Those working in film and video are required to submit a compilation show reel (DVD) of not more than 10 minutes duration. Please label your work carefully with your name, title and if appropriate the duration. The total amount of all submitted work must fit within a posting bag measuring a maximum of 30cm x 48cm. Although we treat all work with the greatest care and respect, the college cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage to the work you submit.

References and interviews help determine whether the personal and professional aspirations of the applicant are compatible with the aims and outcomes of the course. Interviews also give the opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate an objective, critical and reflective relationship to their work. If possible, it is a good idea to bring examples of current work since application.

MA Performance Design and Practice welcomes discussion with potential applicants regarding the appropriateness of initial proposals, and encourages applicants to take every opportunity to make contact in advance of application.

Home/EU and International applicants

Download your MA Performance Design and Practice application pack: 

• MA Performance Design and Practice application pack - home/EU [Word, 0.5mb]

• MA Performance Design and Practice application pack - international [Word, 0.5mb]

The application form contains detailed information on the application process.

Your application must include:

• A completed application form
• Copies of your latest qualifications certificates
• An indicative written Independent Research Proposal (including methodologies and proposed outcomes. A template is provided to help structure this.)
• Two references at least one should be an academic or professional reference
• Documentation of your work in the form of up to 20 slides or images on CD (4Mb limit per image) and/or relevant documentary material (eg DVDs max 10 minutes duration), accompanied by a short introductory contextual statement (200-400 words). Text files should be in Word 2007 or PDF format. This should evidence your current creative practice.

Please ensure you send all these items at the same time - we need all the information to consider your application. We recommend you send your application by recorded mail. Due to the large number of applications we get, we're unable to send confirmation that your application has been received. Although we treat all work with the greatest care and respect, we cannot accept any responsibility for loss of or damage to the work you submit.

Further information for International applicants

Our website includes all the information you need to successfully apply. However, if you still have unanswered questions about the admissions process, please contact us. Email: international@csm.arts.ac.uk

The University has a dedicated team to help prepare you for your studies. For help on visa requirements, housing, tuition fees and language requirements visit the University's International section.

The Language Centre offers international students quality language training from qualified and experienced teachers. The Pre-sessional Academic English Programme is available to all international (non-EU) students who have been offered a place on a full time course at the University of the Arts. For further information visit the Language Centre website.

We also offer a number of short courses that enable students to improve their portfolios and English skills before applying to their chosen course. For further information visit our Short Course section.

Home/EU applicants please send your completed application to: Student Administration, MA Performance Design and Practice, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA.

International applicants please send your completed application to: International Office, MA Performance Design and Practice, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA.

When to apply

Applications should be submitted between 1 January and 30 June. Please be aware that as places are limited it is advisable to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.  AHRC deadline 1 March 2012.

Deferred entry

Entry can only be deferred in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us before submitting your application if you're considering applying for deferred entry.

What happens next?

We read and consider all application forms and personal references. Please note that particular attention is given to the indicative Project Proposal and your references.

Subject to your meeting the entry requirements and consideration of your application form, preliminary selection is based on your Project Proposal, documentation of work and supporting information. You may then be invited to attend an interview. You’ll be asked to bring a portfolio of your latest work.  For candidates applying for external funding, interviews will be scheduled prior to funding body deadlines.

Can't attend the interview?

If you're a home/EU or international applicant unable to attend for interview, the MA Performance Design and Practice Course Leader would hope to discuss your application by telephone.

In the case of applicants unable to attend for interview and unable to discuss their application by telephone, a decision regarding the offer of a place on the course will be made on the basis of a review of the application materials. We keep notes about decisions made following the initial application review and the interview process.

Selection is by two members of staff (normally the Course Leader and one other), and offers of places are made on the basis of our selection criteria. Applicants are informed of the decision via either the School Office or the International Office.

Open days

Open days are a great opportunity to meet staff and students and to find out at first hand about courses, teaching and student life. Visit the open day section for dates to book your session. Bookings can only be made online, not by phone or email.