MA Scenography

Some of the major innovations in performance practices over the last hundred years have been drawn from scenographic developments. This exciting course approaches scenography from multiple practical and theoretical perspectives to create new opportunities for performance design experimentation and authorship.

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Course Detail

The MA Scenography is a dynamic course for highly motivated designers or artists looking to extend their practice. They develop an appreciation of scenography through immersion in the process of making sense of the relationships between bodies, space, sound, light and objects. It is designed for those wishing to develop through praxis design-led processes of creation within time-based and performative structures.

You will discover, discuss and engage with past and present approaches to performance design informed by a variety of disciplines, for example, video, puppetry or architecture. Your existing skills and practice will be challenged and extended as you investigate speculatively and operatively the creative use/misuse of tools and media. Uniquely concerned with the body, bodily motion and temporality, the course includes a particular attention to and interrogation of the scenographer’s subjective and physical approach to design processes.

The course combines a mix of collaborative and independent work, with an emphasis on research-led perspectives that explore the interplay of conceptual and practical thinking. Drawing on the expertise of current staff and visiting fellow researchers and practitioners, MA Scenography students work within Central’s existing studio system alongside other courses and, through negotiated learning agreements, in professional contexts.

You will:

experience working individually and collaboratively to create new performance work, both speculatively and operatively
undertake experimental and laboratory-based case studies exploring the relationships between physical and virtual modelling
study the histories and theories of perception, representation and aesthetics within historical and philosophical frameworks
extend and refine your design processes through theoretical and practice-based research
investigate the transdisciplinary spectrum of scenography in relation to, for example, architecture, choreography, sound, urbanism, scientific enquiry.

Key Features

Intensive, laboratory-style practice; exploring cross-medial form; excellent partnerships and connections with relevant industries.

Assessment

By practical conceptions and realisations, written assignments and a research presentation.

Career Information

Skills Developed/Subject Areas Covered

Research skills including new media for presentation and documentation

Speculative and operative design skills in a range of media (some experimental)

Careers

artist practitioner within the field of Scenography; Performance designer/director; suitable grounding for a range of work within Design/Art/Media related industries; Suitable grounding for PhD research and an academic career.

Graduate Destinations

The MA Scenography opened in 2010. By the end of the course, students will join a growing number of design alumni that are at the forefront of performance design and scenographic research. Graduates have gone on to work in a range of innovative companies such as Shunt Collective, Grid Iron and New International Encouter: Visual Theatre. Some have transferred to PhD study. Graduates have been the recipients of awards such as Linbury Prize for Stage Design and the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.

Admission

Entry Requirements

You should normally have an undergraduate degree in the broad field of performance, drama studies or a design subject, although applications from students of other disciplines (e.g. visual arts, architecture, sonic arts) will be considered. Applications from those with at least two years' relevant experience will also be considered. In addition, you may be required to carry out work and/or research in advance of the interview. An offer will normally only be made after interview/audition.

English language

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to prove their English language proficiency by gaining an overall score of 7.0 in an IELTS test. We do accept equivalent English language qualifications. Applicants are advised to gain this certification as early as possible.

For further information see the How to Apply section.

Application Details

If you are selected for an interview for a place on the MA Scenography course, we will require you to bring with you some relevant examples of your scenographic work.

This portfolio will contribute to further discussion about your qualifications, experience, interest in the subject and your plans beyond this MA. Please be careful to edit and prepare your portfolio so that you can present and discuss the work with ease, and be prepared to leave it with the course team for further consideration. Preferably this portfolio will be in the form of a digital media (DVD, CD, etc). It should be no longer than four minutes in duration and should include at least two examples of your work. You will also be asked to submit evidence of your technical experience where appropriate to the nature of your chosen media.

Applicants will be seen individually and maybe be seen as part of a group, undertaking a number of activities as part of the interview process.

During the interview process you will have a chance to learn more about the course and the School.

International Auditions/Interviews

Central considers applicants for this course at its international auditions.

Distance Auditions/Interviews

Central does allow applicants to undertake a distance interview for this course. If you live abroad and are unable to attend an interview in person you may, at the discretion of the Admissions Tutor, be offered the opportunity of a distance interview. If you are selected for interview in this manner you will be contacted (normally by email) in order to arrange a suitable time for an interview. This will be conducted on Skype, telephone or by ‘live’ email exchange and will normally be based upon material you will have been asked to submit in advance. The interview will be conducted by the Admissions Tutor in liaison with a colleague who will have sight of your submitted materials.

Course Specification

MA Scenography Course Specification

Staff

Simon Donger, BA, MA

Lecturer, Scenography and Performance Arts

Joanna Parker, BA

Senior Lecturer, Scenography

Qualification

MA Scenography (180 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma Scenography (120 credits)

Duration

One-year, full-time, two years, part-time, October start.

Open Days

Postgraduate Open Event

17 May 2012 - 6:00pm

Postgraduate Open Event

15 Nov 2012 - 6:00pm

Productions

See all Productions.

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