Program Overview

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Stage Design (M.F.A.)

The MFA in Stage Design for Lighting Design, Costume Design, and Set Design is a one-year practical programme for professionals looking to explore their creativity and passion for stage design and specialise in their chosen field.

Overview

The MFA in Stage Design brings together a cohort of designers from the fields of set design, costume design, and lighting design to create a collaborative learning environment in which to explore their own stage design processes.

Course Structure

Students elect to take this course either full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months).

• Full-time students take modules in:
  • Theatre in Context (10 ECTS)
  • Contemporary Theatre Practice (10 ECTS)
  • Two elective modules (20 ECTS x 2) in the first two terms
  • Production Design (30 ECTS) in the third term and subsequent summer months
• Students who elect to take the course part-time ordinarily complete:
  • Year 1: Theatre in Context (10 ECTS), Contemporary Theatre Practice (10 ECTS); 2 elective modules (20 ECTS x 2)
  • Year 2: Production Design (30 ECTS)

Course Content

Students will take two core modules:

• Theatre in Context & Contemporary Theatre Practice: enables students to become conversant in the styles, forms, theories, and practices that constitute contemporary theatre making in Ireland and abroad
• Production Design: individual supervision of two placements as assistant to a professional designer, and realisation of a design for public viewing in one of The Lir’s studios Students will choose 2 elective modules majoring in 1 design module and minoring in another module. Elective modules are:
  • Set Design Workshop
  • Costume Design Workshop
  • Lighting Design Workshop
  • Dramaturgy for Stage Design

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fill out all the information required on the online form, which includes the submission of two references, one academic and a professional reference, copies of the transcripts of previously completed education levels, and a CV. In addition, applicants are also required to upload a copy of the following documents separately, within the Additional Documents section:

• a) Letter of application – a letter that outlines the applicant’s theatre education and design experience to date
• b) Statement of purpose – a statement outlining the applicant’s ambitions in terms of stage design
• c) Portfolio – a portfolio of the applicant’s theatre work to date, including visual accounts of work processes and finished pieces, as well as illustration of the conceptualising and research work developed

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements for their application to be considered for shortlisting to the programme.

Course Fees

For a full list of postgraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section.

Awards

NFQ Level 9

Number of Places

7-10 Places

Next Intake

September 2025

Course Director

Gavin O'Donoghue, Director of Actor Training and Postgraduate Programmes

Closing Date

31st March 2025

Career Opportunities

This programme allows students to specialise in or combine stage design disciplines (set and costume design, set and lighting design etc.) and is tailored to provide talented individuals with the necessary skills to pursue a career in professional theatre and related industries.