Creative Producing (MA) - 2012/2013 entry

This programme is designed to appeal to a diverse range of students. This is reflected in its varied content, teaching and assessment methods. The programme works in association with the established Birkbeck MFA Theatre Directing, allowing students on both programmes to interrelate.

The programme is practice-centred and practice-based. It is rooted in the present-day realities of the role of the professional creative producer, and therefore in the essential blend of personal taste and judgement, practical skills, creative team-working and problem-solving needed for that role.

The programme is structured around three key areas of study and experience:

• the creative producer: including developing taste, awareness and judgement; exercising reflection and self-knowledge; professional development
• the producer's key skills and competencies: including presentation and pitching; production finance (raising, budgeting and controlling it); contracts, rights and legislation
• the producer and people: including working with creative teams; working with artists; relating to/involving audiences and communities.

Read about the experiences of last year's students in our 2011 Year Book.

Find out more about studying at Birkbeck and what our students say about our courses.

Read the programme director's blog about the MA in Creative Producing.

• Prepare for a professional role as producer in a wide variety of theatre and live performance events, including outdoor performance and street arts.
• Extensive input by professional practitioners, mentoring relationships between students and committed professional practitioners, and industrial secondment opportunities. 
• Operated in association with the Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Take the following seven compulsory modules:

• The Creative Producer
• The Producer's Toolkit
• Production Finance
• Producers and People
• The Producer and Research
• Being a Producer
• Personal Project.

The Producer and Research module allows you to choose a subject option from a range which varies each year.

You have the option of undertaking a secondment at a theatre, arts venue or similar organisation as part of the Personal Project, which is the final element of the programme.

Find out more about this programme in our departmental handbook and in our yearbooks from 2009 and 2010.

If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in English and Humanities.

Graduates go on to work professionally in various aspects of production for theatre/performance and other related fields such as community arts and event planning.

Birkbeck and the Theatre Royal Stratford East

The MA in Creative Producing is one of a number of collaborations between Birkbeck and the Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Birkbeck has a long-standing association with the Theatre Royal. Past and present trainee directors studying on the MFA Theatre Directing have benefited from secondments to the theatre, directing their own productions and adaptations.

We want to admit the most talented, qualified and suitable students. During the admission process, we will assess your potential to cope with the demands of the programme and achieve the high standard required on completion. It is also important that we assess the suitability of the programme for you. The philosophy and content of the programme may not be appropriate for every applicant.

The admission process is therefore designed to allow us to be satisfied that you have:

• the necessary abilities to cope with the demands of the programme
• the skills and understanding needed
• the personal qualities and commitment needed

You should supply us with the following three items, which should be sent together, not separately:

• a completed copy of the relevant online application form
• a copy of your up-to-date CV 
• a supporting statement consisting of some reasonably short written answers to the questions supplied below (maximum 500 words response to each question).

Keep a copy of all three parts of your application for future reference. 

1. The application form

Your online application should be completed as fully as possible. With regard to the section on 'Professional Experience', remember that your CV will supplement the brief summary details you can give here.

At least one of your referees must be able to supply adequate information about your experience of theatre and/or live performance. The status or job-title of this referee is much less important than her/his ability to testify to this experience, which may or may not include producing – the programme does not stipulate a minimum level of producing experience before admission. Please supply telephone numbers and email addresses for both your referees. 

2. The CV

Your CV should include details of all your experience of theatre and/or live performance, not just any producing experience you might have had.

3. The supporting statement

This should consist of your responses to each of the following questions or statements, which are designed to provide additional information about your experience of – and commitment to – producing; and about your aims, interests and concerns as a future professional creative producer. Your responses are significant and will be fully taken into account by the selection panel. 

1. Describe a theatre or live performance project, large or small, that you want to produce.
2. What do you believe is the role of a creative producer when working with actors, performers, or other artistic collaborators?
3. If you graduate from this course, what do you see yourself doing in five years' time?

Each question should be answered in not more than 500 words. Please note that, contrary to what is said on the application form, you are not expected to confine this supporting statement to one sheet.

It is very important to remember that there are no correct answers to these questions. We expect our applicants to reveal a wide range of experience, opinions, interests and ambitions. Feel free to be candid. We will be very interested to read your honest opinions and beliefs.

If you have questions about the programme or the application process please contact us.

Selection process

After considering each written application, those applicants who are considered to be suitably qualified will be invited to participate in the programme selection process. During that process, each candidate's potential to become a professional creative producer will be scrutinised and assessed. 

• You should apply by 31 December if you believe you may be eligible for AHRC funding (see 'Can I get any funding?'); thereafter there will be deadlines for applications in mid-April and late May (details available from the admissions tutor).