This is a practice-based programme for those wishing to develop a career as a professional actor, an innovative theatre praxis and an understanding of creative producing in London, the centre of British theatre.

The programme is practice-based and industry-facing, aligned with both main stage and contemporary arts practice. The programme gives students the support to develop as theatre directors and, crucially, independent creative producers with the ability to make high quality and innovative performance work. The teaching team are both experienced academics and professional practitioners and have wide networks within the creative industries, including production houses, directors, actors and industry bodies.

They will also have the opportunity to work with writers and directors on other MFA programmes in the school or externally. Teaching will take place in the industry standard studio facilities at USS and the professional arts venue Rich Mix.

The programme is delivered in the evenings and offered full and part time to enable access for those with work and family

One of the great strengths of our course is that you’ll be taught by academics steeped in the theatrical arts and professional practice, headed by Course Leader Dr Dominic Hingorani.

Dominic is a professional playwright, academic author, producer and director and Co-Artistic Director of Brolly, a cross-arts company supported by Arts Council England. He has recently written, directed and produced a national tour of a new play for teenagers ‘her’ in partnership with Half Moon Theatre and a new opera ‘Clocks 1888 the greener’ in partnership with Hackney Empire.  

Dominic originally trained as an actor and worked on stage in the USA with Sir Ian McKellen and has performed on TV, radio and film.

Another teacher is Dr Jorge Lopes Ramos, the multi-award-winning joint artistic director of the internationally acclaimed ZUUK – an independent and innovative theatre company based in both Rio de Janeiro and east London.

As well as their support, we’ll give you the opportunity of being able to work alongside an experienced professional actor who, if you want, will act as your mentor.

Through our unique partnerships, you’ll have opportunities to engage with a variety of professional companies. Our current partners include Theatre Royal Stratford East, London International Festival of Theatre, Hoxton Hall, Hackney Empire, Stratford Circus and Half Moon Theatre.
You’re also benefit from a programme of guest speakers. Recently, our students heard from British movie star Terence Stamp and the artistic director of Theatre Royal Stratford East, Kerry Michael.
“This course was created especially for those wishing to pursue a professional career in the theatre and develop the skills to be an independent creative artist,” says Dr Hingorani.
“Our teaching ethos is tailored to the individual student to develop their own unique creative voice, underpinned by academic rigour and an understanding of professional art practice, delivered in industry-standard studio facilities."
“I can’t think of a more exciting place to start your career, build your networks and access world-class professional theatre than in London.”

The work you will be doing with theatre professionals and the constructive help and advice you will receive from your course tutors throughout your course is all geared towards helping you establish yourself in the industry. Your final degree show will act as your showcase to attract agents and develop your professional networks.

By having your own mentor in the last six months of your course, you will not only gain important insight and advice about the technical aspects of theatre directing but you will receive invaluable help in developing important contacts.

We believe our course helps nurture independent-minded, creative individuals - actors such as the RADA-trained Takunda Kramer, who shone while at the University of East London and has gone on to star with various professional companies as far afield as New York, Dar Es Salaam and Nairobi.

Like many of our other students who go on to further postgraduate research and study, Takunda has now returned to UEL to undertake a PhD based on protest theatre in his native Zimbabwe. Another graduate, Neil Walker, now co-manages a theatre company and creating touring work. “Seeing the work I started to create at UEL performed before audiences is deeply rewarding – a real buzz!” says Neil. It’s a feeling many of our students will relate to.