ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The Programme aims to meet the needs of qualified specialists, creators and managers for the Bulgarian theatres, who have a deep organizational and scientific knowledge, providing a background for their future artistic management of academic career.

During their studies, students learn and master their skills and abilities for  preparation, provision and execution of a quality theatre rehearsal process. Students acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the creation and execution of theatre productions, alongside with the organizational and management aspects of the performing arts.

Students have to build and develop professional abilities and habits, learn about the main theoretical discourses, methods  and techniques in theatre art, learn to work in a team, developing adaptability fora quick and quality reflections in the wide spectrum of aesthetic and organizational branches  in the contemporary performing arts.

 

FORM OF EDUCATION

The Programme’s duration is 2 semesters (1 academic year) full-time studies, which includes working on a diploma stage production, in accordance with the programme’s curriculum.

During their practical work, students work on an extensive rehearsal process on two directorial excerpts (or one-act plays) and prepare a diploma stage production, on the conceptual project, which they submit when applying to the programme. The programme curriculum includes a wide range of theoretical and practical courses and staging assignments, with the purpose of acquiring knowledge and mastering students’ skills needed for becoming theatre directors in the contemporary performing arts.

The final graduation exam in stage production is finalized by one of the following ways:

  • as a stage performance in a professional theatre (recommended);
  • as a project stage performance in NATFA Theatre;
  • as a co-production between NATFA and another cultural institute;
  • as an independent project;
  • on an internal educational theatre stage in NATFA (if available).

The students graduate with a public defense of an individual Master thesis, a public stage performance and after acquiring the necessary academic credits.

 

QUALIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates acquire educational qualification degree “Master of Arts” with professional qualification “Master of Arts in Performing Arts Directing”. Opportunities for work realization are: as creative specialists, or managers in theatres and other cultural institutes, including in the field of theatre pedagogy.

 

 ADMISSION EXAM

When submitting their application documents, candidates submit a conceptual project for the future diploma stage production. The documents should include:

  • Motivation for the choice of the specific play, text for theatre, dramatization, or a topic for improvisational rehearsal process (up to 2 standard pages).
  • Directorial statement of the future stage performance (up to 5 standard pages).
  • Portfolio, including up-to-date information about the candidate’s creative endeavors.

The candidate’s portfolio could include also: screenplays, essays, poems, short stories, plays, novels, paintings, drawings, photographs, films, original music, performances of songs and musical instruments, music recordings, and other artistic materials by choice of the candidate. The literary materials have to be submitted in a .pdf format and to be not longer than 10 pages. The photographic materials must be in .jpeg format. The audiovisual materials must be in MPG-4 format and overall not longer than 15 minutes. The audio materials must be in .mp3 format and overall not longer than 15 minutes. The purpose of the portfolio is to fully represent the candidate’s abilities, interests, aesthetical criteria, artistic inclinations and creative mindset. When sending the documents for audiovisual, visual and audio materials, links to internet platforms and cloud spaces have to be attached, alongside with the password/s.

Admission exams are held in two stages:

 

Stage 1 (written, anonymous)

Essay on a given topic, related to the candidate’s aesthetical and emotional experiences. Duration: 4 hours

 

Stage 2 (oral)

Interview with the Selection Committee, on the candidate’s overall mindset and understanding/attitude to culture and theatre. The Committee gives assignments related to the submitted project by the applicant, with the purpose of learning about his/her artistic attitude and organizational skills.