Program Overview

Theatre Producing (M.F.A.)

NFQ Level 9

Overview

This MFA course, the first of its kind in Ireland, is a practice-based professional degree which aims to equip students of exceptional talent with the skills necessary to pursue a career in the professional theatre and related industries through the development of skills, professional practices and creative approaches to theatre producing. It encourages a self-reflexive approach to learning with a view to developing independent thinking and collaboratively-focused producers. Graduates of the existing strands have had considerable success working as professional directors, designers and playwrights across Irish theatre and throughout the world.

Career Opportunities

This MFA programme will upskill and equip students to specialise in theatre producing. It is tailored to provide talented individuals with the necessary skills to pursue a career in the professional theatre and related industries. The Lir Academy MFA graduates are highly successful in their chosen fields and have gone on to work in major venues and institutions in Ireland and abroad.

Course Structure

Students can opt to take this course either part-time (over 24 months) or full-time (over 12 months). To graduate, students must complete the seven modules of the course successfully.

• Full-time and part-time students will take four concurrent modules across the first two terms – Theatre in Context, Performing Arts Ecology, Contemporary Theatre Practice and Creative Leadership.
• Full-time students will complete another two modules over the year, Producing Practices 1 and 2, while part-time students will complete these modules in Year 2.
• The final module will be taught in the third term and subsequent summer months (for full-time students) or in the second year of the course (for part-time students) and will culminate in producing a professional production staged in one of The Lir’s performance studios, in collaboration with students of the other MFA strands, or a production for Dublin Fringe Festival.
• Students will also complete a professional placement at the end of the summer term.

Course Content

Like all the existing MFA strands in Stage Design, Theatre Directing and Playwriting, the Theatre Producing strand is determinedly and unapologetically practice-based and skills focused. A key component of the programme, as in the other strands, is group and individual tuition from the Course Director for Theatre Producing.

• Alongside their consideration of the state of the artform itself, students will acquire the specific tools they will need to start work as professional theatre producers the day they graduate from the programme.
• Workshops and seminars will be led by theatre practitioners including leading theatre producers.
• Students will acquire the specific skills required to work as a professional producer whilst also considering changes and development in the art form itself as well as the global theatre-making ecology.

Course Details

Awards

• NFQ Level 9

Number of Places

• 4-8 Places

Next Intake

• September 2025

Course Director

• Gavin O'Donoghue

Closing Date

• 31st May 2025

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:
  • Letter of application – a letter that outlines the applicant’s theatre education and theatre producing experience to date.
  • Statement of purpose – a statement outlining the applicant’s ambitions in terms of theatre producing.
  • Portfolio – a portfolio of the applicant’s theatre work to date.
  • Critical assessment – a critical assessment essay of recently produced work.

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.

Related Courses

• Digital Arts and Intermedia Practices (M.Phil.)
• Playwriting (M.F.A.)
• Screen Studies (M.Phil.)
• Stage Design (M.F.A.)
• Theatre Directing (M.F.A.)
• Theatre and Performance (M.Phil)