Drama & Theatre Studies

The MA in Drama and Theatre Studies, housed at the O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, is a world-leading course that combines critical perspectives on the practice of theatre history/theory with theatre-making. A diverse range of modules allows students to build a programme that suits their chosen career trajectory– whether in theatre practice, Irish drama, playwriting, theatre criticism, applied theatre or a blend.



As a student at the O’Donoghue Centre, you will benefit from being immersed in a supportive, invigorating community of world-class practitioners and scholars, whilst also being based in Galway, home to a vibrant arts and theatre scene.



This MA programme blends theoretical and practical approaches to the study of drama, and is particularly suited to applicants who wish to produce theatre publicly, write or review plays, teach drama, or carry out further academic research. Applicants with a general interest in theatre are also very welcome. As a student on the course, you can benefit from University of Galway’s unique partnership with Druid Theatre, recently described by The New York Times as “one of the world’s great theatre companies.” Led by Garry Hynes, participation in the Druid Academy involves masterclasses, and workshops as part of your degree.



Students can opt to take the course on a full-time (one year) basis or a part-time (two year) basis.



Course Outline

All students take a core module that address critical perspectives and critical practice in Drama, Theatre and Performance.



Students then choose optional modules from a variety of key areas, including:



Devising and theatre-making

Performance

Directing

Playwriting

Theatre business/producing

Applied Theatre

Modern and Contemporary Irish theatre

Writing about theatre

Archival research

At the end of the course, all students will complete a minor dissertation under the supervision of a member of staff. Your minor dissertation can consist of original research or a practice-as-research project that might include the production of a play or creation of a new performance piece.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Optional DT6123: Playwright's Workshop I - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6127: Producing 1 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6120: Ensemble Acting and Devising - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6134: Creative Arts Ideas Lab - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6140: Designated Emphasis in Playwriting and Dramaturgy - 0 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6139: Designated Emphasis in Theatre Practice and Production - 0 Credits - Semester 1

Optional FM6101: Ireland on Screen - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional FM6123: American Cinema: History, Aesthetics, Ideology - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Required DT6130: Critical Methods in Drama, Theatre and Performance - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Required DT6100: Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DM6100: Moving Image Techniques - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6102: Irish Drama and Theatre from Wilde to O'Casey - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6136: Theatre for Children and Young Audiences - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6131: Curation 1 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6112: Advanced Theatre Production Practicum - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional EN6118: Digital Literature, Arts, and Creative Practice - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Optional DT6122: Performance Lab - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6109: Applied Theatre - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional FM6102: Digital Play & Practice - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6135: Playwright's Workshop II: Dramaturgical Approaches to Craft - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional IS108: The Politics of Modernity: Writing in English, 1922 to the present - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional FM6105: Digital Film and Culture - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional FM6125: Global Cinemas: Expanding Film - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6141: Drama and Theatre Studies Work Placement - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Required DT6138: Creative Practices in Drama, Theatre and Performance - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6137: Irish Theatre and Performance Histories - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6101: Irish Drama and Theatre from Beckett to the Present - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6129: Producing and Curation Ideas Lab - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6132: Advanced Producing and Curation - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional DT6113: Applied Dramaturgy - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Minimum Entry Requirements

A university arts degree (minimum standard 2.2, or US GPA 3.0). Students will be accepted on the basis of the degree result, a writing sample (5–6 pages)—which can be an academic essay, creative writing piece or theatre reviews—a personal statement outlining suitability for and interest in the programme, and names and contact details of two references. Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be admitted via a qualifying exam if they have relevant professional experience, or may be admitted to the PDip. Students who do not meet the honours degree requirement but have a Level 7 degree (Merit 2) may be admitted to the PDip course with the possibility of progressing to the MA if they receive a minimum of 60% in their course work during the year.

1DG1: 1 year, full-time; 1DG2: 2 years, part-time.

Next start date September 2024

Career Opportunities

Recent graduates have gone on to work with many theatre companies including the Abbey Theatre, the Gate Theatre, Rough Magic, the Young Vic (London) and others. They have also found employment in education, the heritage and tourist industries, arts organisations, business and the public service. Many have progressed to PhD study, often winning scholarships in support of their studies.