Circomedia takes the next step in circus education with a unique Masters in Directing for Circus
In the year that we celebrate 30 years of circus education in the UK Circomedia, Bristol’s Centre for Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre, offers its first Masters Degree to add to an already impressive portfolio of courses offered at its Academy.
The MA, which is the first of its kind in the UK, and indeed unique in the world, has been established in response to a recognised need in the contemporary circus industry and the Arts Council of England for the development of a new kind of performance director, one that specialises in directing for circus.
As an established Academy, with an impressive history spanning back thirty years in promoting and producing acts with a high focus in contemporary circus with physical theatre, Circomedia is the ideal organisation to host this unique MA in directing. Its engagement with academic accreditation has developed over the last eight years, with diplomas, a Foundation Degree and a BA (Hons) degree being added to what it can offer in full-time training.
Indeed, its current courses in physical theatre and contemporary circus produce graduates who can work confidently as individuals, or collaborate as part of an ensemble, to devise new and exciting pieces of theatre. But there are few people with the capability to single-handedly direct highly-skilled professionals and explore all the potential that using these skills can bring to a performance. Those that try tend to be either former circus performers with limited knowledge or choreographers and theatre directors trying to apply their methods to a genre with very different requirements and possibilities.
The Circomedia MA in Directing for Circus will explore circus direction in-depth through a variety of research methods and promote autonomous and collaborative learning. Students will also work with professionals in the industry and engage with current debates and discourses of the discipline to ensure they are at up-to-date with the most recent developments within such a specialised, but potentially diverse, industry.
Bim Mason, Artistic Director of Circomedia, says ‘We are really excited about the potential of this new MA to produce new directors who can develop the artform. Up until now most circus directors have simply learned on the job or come from theatre, which is a different kind of job. Because it is the first qualification of its kind, we have had interest from different parts of the world so its influence could be far and wide’
The MA in Directing for Circus is to be offered from September 2017 and is accredited by Bath Spa University.
Circomedia are now accepting applications. Details of the course can be found online at the Circomedia website.
