MFA Acting (International)

at University of Essex

East 15 Acting School’s MA/MFA Acting (International) is a full-time, professional and intensive training program designed specifically for international students.

The course emphasises the importance of the integration and mastery of a wide spectrum of core acting skills. This includes; acting classes, Laban, Feldenkrais, Somatic and Grotowski based movement classes, voice production, articulation, RP (Received Pronunciation), context and singing.

The training draws primarily on existing practice, the legacy of Stanislavski, and the unique methodologies and ethos of East 15 itself, which grew out of the techniques, beliefs and practice of one of the UK’s most famous and historically influential theatre companies of the 20th Century, Joan Littlewood’s ‘Theatre Workshop’.

You will have the experience of working with an international cohort of actors from all parts of the world, with different cultural and historical perspectives, life experiences, and training, which will enlighten, challenge, educate and inform you as an artist and human being. Our teaching incorporates the intensive study of Shakespeare, and a residency and performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

We regard every actor as an individual and understand the need for different keys to unlock their capabilities as artists and human beings. We believe in positivity, passion, professionalism, and creating a truly safe space in which you can learn and explore to reach your full potential. You will have the physical and vocal skills and techniques combined with our unique and rigorous approach to all aspects of acting training to build truthful, three-dimensional characters of emotional depth and veracity with sophisticated texts in different genres and styles. This training is a holistic approach to building character and interpreting narrative, ideal for any student whose interest lies in the craftsmanship of acting and performance.

You will become a self-sufficient actor, in charge of your own process, and be able to work confidently with any director, in any genre or discipline of acting.

MA Acting (International) runs for 12 months on a full-time basis and the MFA for 20 months. MA and MFA students are combined for most of the first year.

MA and MFA students take the same modules in their first year. In their second year, MFA students work within a repertory company format to present a range of fully-staged productions in each of the three terms, followed by a written dissertation or practical project.

Both MA and MFA Acting (International) offer regular classes during the year for English first-language and English second-language students. The English first language students (USA, Canada, Australia etc.) concentrate on accent/dialect and received pronunciation (RP), while the second-language students focus more on accent, rhythm, stress and diction.

All students participate in public performances during their study. By the end of the course, you will be able to work in accurate English dialect and perform sophisticated texts with confidence.