The MFA Acting course is designed for graduates who wish to undertake advanced studies to further their knowledge and widen their experience of acting in order to take up a professional acting career upon graduation.
Open to International Students
[00:00:03] Danielle I decided to join the MFA course because I felt like something was missing in my acting. I was doing things, but it just felt like I was missing a piece. I decided to kind of refine my training and figure out what that missing piece was. [00:00:20] Danielle Hey. [00:00:21] Friend Hey. [00:00:21] Danielle You ready for speech? [00:00:22] Friend Yes. [00:00:23] Danielle My favourite part is the community aspect in that. There's never a time where I feel, like, forgotten or I feel left out. [00:00:32] Friend Do you remember the play that you did for the first time? [00:00:35] Danielle I played like an old, famous actress, and I had, like, big sunglasses. And my mom loves telling the story. How when she saw that play, she cried because she knew that I found what I wanted to do. [00:00:49] Danielle I think you should never let fear stop you from trying it, because you then will always have that regret of what if I just went for it? My biggest aspiration as an actor is to be a part of the RSC. I know that's going to be a lot of hard work, and this could be a lot of steps to get there, but that's the dream. [00:01:17] Danielle I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken. [00:01:24] Friend Woo! [00:01:26] Danielle All right. So. Is that okay? [00:01:30] Friend Yeah. Sure. [00:01:32] Danielle Yeah. [00:01:33] Danielle When you know you've achieved what you set out to do, you gain confidence making the next step less scary and more exciting. I came here wanting to flourish as an actor, and I have I've worked on my weaknesses. I've put all of the techniques into practice, and now I know this is just the beginning for me. [00:02:07] Danielle I've come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken. Your spirits relax. And for what? Words. Words, words.
The MFA Acting course is designed for graduates who wish to undertake advanced studies to further their knowledge and widen their experience of acting in order to take up a professional acting career upon graduation. The delivery of the course is based on the conservatoire model which requires an intensive taught delivery of a minimum of thirty to forty hours per week over a minimum of thirty weeks per year. Its focus is practice-based learning through which the student is enabled to develop the requisite intellectual, imaginative and physical skills of the professional actor. During the course, students form an acting company and each exercise, workshop or production is designed to challenge the student actor and to progressively develop the imaginative, intellectual and creative skills required for acting. The course seeks to create independently minded practitioners who are able to apply a variety of methodologies to their creative work. Its aim is to inculcate forward thinking practitioners able to create real employment opportunities for themselves, both in finding work and creating work.
The MFA Acting course, specifically designed with international students in mind, is a full-time programme delivered intensively over two years. The focus of work is European, with an emphasis on texts from within the British tradition. In the first year, studies focus on the ensemble, the tools of Psychological Realism, the demands of classical texts, professional preparation, and the foundations for personal research. Initially, in the first two terms of the first year, MA and MFA students have the opportunity to work together in classes and in workshops. In the third term, MFA students form their own company and undertake an extended Shakespeare workshop, which provides an opportunity to investigate the demands of classical acting in greater depth. In the second year, MFA students have opportunities to deepen their learning and to further develop their abilities. They undertake research in the form of a Major Project which provides opportunities for personal evaluation and creative development. They also perform in three productions each selected in order to challenge and further develop the ensemble and the work of the individual. The course also includes acting for the camera and voice over work. Graduating American students are eligible to take part in the Federation of Drama Schools American Showcase. Students graduating from the course who have the right to live and work in the UK may take part in the school’s postgraduate London Showcase.
Rudra Iyer Rudra’s postgraduate journey came less conventionally than others; after trying to pursue improv comedy for years in India, he had decided that he wanted classical training in the UK to fulfil his acting dreams. Rudra found fulfilment in the multicultural atmosphere and academic support at BCU, where he honed his skills and overcame language barriers. His aspirations now extend to inspiring others from underrepresented communities while aiming for success in the UK's theatre, TV, and film industry, emphasising the transformative journey offered by BCU's MFA Acting program. Read in full
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Next Open Day: 5 December 2024