Hello, I’m Millie, a Theatre Masters student with the School of Arts and Creative Technologies. Here’s an insight into my personal experience studying MA Theatre-Making at York. I believe this course is the best way to widen your horizons for anyone interested in the theatre and the creative industries! The course encourages you from day one to start thinking and working as a theatre-maker. It’s the perfect mix of practical work and theory. Here are some of the reasons I love studying MA Theatre-Making at York.
The modules
The modules I have taken so far are include:
Thinking Through Theatre and Collaborative Theatre Making get everyone working together with core ensemble skills. We start with collaborative scenario planning and movement exploration. We also study theory and analyse case-studies to enhance how we work as creatives. I’ve gained critical thinking skills and how to organise theatre groups in a professional studio setting. These modules also develop your essay writing if you decide to proceed down an academic route.
The course is a great mix of practical work and academia, helping develop your individuality and identity as a theatre-maker. Not everyone on the course has come from a theatre or acting background, but they have proven that anyone can study theatre if they are passionate about it. Being a theatre-maker is about being open minded, working as a team and telling stories.
A course that encourages questions
You will be encouraged to ask yourself:
- How can I develop a piece from scratch?
- How can I make my work my own?
- How can I create work with other people that is meaningful?
- What does success really mean as a creative person?
But most importantly: “Why does theatre matter?”
Perfection is never expected, but exploring is the key to meaningful work. Try something, try it again, fail and learn from it. If anything, failure is encouraged as a tool to allow you to flourish in experimentation.
I’ve learned to approach theatre through an actors lens. But I’ve also explored directing, dramaturgy and more. The Playwriting & Text module has helped develop my confidence in script writing for performance. It’s enhanced my analytical skills, too, exposing me to a diverse range of historic and contemporary playwrights.
So far, I already feel more confident in my creative process. I know I could step into a room and propose an idea for a scratch night, go to an audition, create a piece of theatre from scratch, or work in an ensemble.
The academics are very supportive and are happy to discuss your work or any worries you might have. Rebecca Benzie and Bridget foreman are very experienced in their fields and have really impressed me with their knowledge and approach to theatre.
We have been taken to professional performances in Leeds, Newcastle and of course York Theatre Royal. It’s a treat to see these performances, but we also reflect on them in seminars as a performance analysis tool.
A day in the life
A typical day for me would begin with a beautiful walk to Campus East, come rain or shine, the geese are always there to make you laugh or put a smile on your face. I love how green the spaces at York are, I find myself becoming inspired by the scenery around me. Sometimes it has even woven its way into my work!
When I arrive on campus, I’ll go to a seminar to discuss the set reading. The conversations are always so enlightening. You’ll have time to explore practical work, do additional readings, and begin writing your essays. Other days might include a morning workshop and independent rehearsals, allowing us to develop these skills as an ensemble and devise something between us.
After a lecture or seminar, I’ll spend a few hours reading and writing in my favourite Café in the Ron Cooke Hub. The lovely baristas always make the best coffee! There are so many places to study on Campus. In addition to this, you can easily book rehearsal spaces around your exam period. I have sometimes booked them out for myself to go over physical work or explore practitioner methods before taking them to my peers.
Winding down
In the evenings I will either study or spend time with my friends. We go and see live music, watch films in the Wentworth Hub, or cook together! Sometimes I will watch a live performance. York has entertainment hidden in every corner, there is always something to do.
My life at York is even better than I imagined it would’ve been. My days feel full and productive. The course has given me a sense of purpose and I have big aspirations for the future. I’m very excited to step into the industry whether that will be as an actor, a writer or theatre-maker. Or all of the above!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my blog on why I love studying MA Theatre-Making at York.
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