10 study places are awarded annually. A special talent in terms of individual perceptive ability and interest in social issues combined with a strong scenic imagination is expected. At the time of application, a minimum age of 19 years should be reached. Matura/Abitur is not a mandatory requirement for admission. Prerequisite for the diploma program is passing the entrance examination. The registration for this is done online in the registration portal for study applicants. The entrance exam for the directing program consists of several parts. For the first part of the entrance exam, several written papers on given topics have to be submitted. First round of the entrance exam: Development of a directing concept, either for one of 2 plays or a free concept, including a description of the conceptual approach (preferably also a stage design idea, max. 2 DIN A4 pages): 1. "The Trojan Women" by Euripides or 2. "Bombed" by Sarah Kane or 3. Free concept development (without literary template) on the topic "Never again war" Description of an event from one's own immediate past that has moved very much (max. 1 DIN A4 page) Report of a theater performance recently attended (whether perceived positively or negatively, ½ DIN A4 page) Short text about the personal motivation to study directing (½ DIN A4 page) Tabular curriculum vitae The written work is to be uploaded as a PDF file in the application form by 10.01.2023. Second and third round of the entrance examination: after the evaluation of the submitted documents, the selected applicants* will be invited to the second round of the entrance examination. Here, a commission will decide in interviews and practical exercises on participation in the 3rd round (final round) and subsequently on admission to the directing program. The second and third round of the entrance examination will take place on 03. and 04.02.2023. For applicants whose first language is not German, proof of German language skills must be provided.

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Direction

Diploma

Mag. art.

Overview

Prospective directors receive comprehensive training in theater theory and scenic practice. This includes intensive study of historical and contemporary theater texts, philosophy, sociology, politics, literature and art history, as well as the development of practical skills to creatively manage rehearsal processes.

Department for Acting, Directing & Applied Theatre - Thomas Bernhard Institute
+43 676 88122 445
rosa.batteg@moz.ac.at

Study & Examination Management
+43 676 88122 492
studienabteilung@moz.ac.at

Length
8 semesters / 240 ECTS-AP

Language of instruction
German

Registration deadline
from February each year
to the dates

Admission examinations
Summer semester of each year

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Curriculum

Study & Occupational Fields

In addition to a wide range of classes (directing, dramaturgy, space, lighting, stagecraft, costuming, etc.), students develop their own scenes and projects with the acting students as well as in cooperation with other Salzburg cultural institutions. Workshops complement and deepen the work. The examination of social issues in connection with contemporary aesthetic and methodological approaches is an integral part of the director training. In addition to the classical techniques of role appropriation, ways of playing are tested which, for example, do without a literary model and take a picture, a space or a biography as the starting point of a scenic event.

General study information

Aesthetic, philosophical, social questions are worked through practically and theoretically on the basis of given texts as well as free scenic exercises. Trying things out and thinking about them must always be related to each other. In this process, perceptiveness and mental agility are developed, as well as the ability to structure and promote scenic events and work processes. The examination of texts is not done abstractly and theoretically, it is related to space, body and movement as the basic elements of play/acting .

What problems actors have when working on the role, how intentions are conveyed, what can be done to acquire leadership, conflict and dialogue skills, this is learned in rehearsal work with acting students. Likewise, independence, patience and perseverance as indispensable virtues of directors. In addition, the intensive and pleasurable examination of questions of time is to be advanced in dialogue.

The study program is divided into a basic and a main study. In the basic classes (1st semester), acting and directing students learn the basics of acting and improvisation together. The focus is on the fun exploration and development of individual playful possibilities.

In the main course of study, future directors receive comprehensive training in theater theory and scenic practice. This includes intensive study of historical and contemporary theater texts, philosophy, sociology, politics, literature and art history, as well as the development of practical skills to creatively manage rehearsal processes. In addition to a wide range of classes (directing, dramaturgy, space, lighting, stagecraft, costuming, etc.), they develop their own scenes and study projects with the acting students. Workshops complement and deepen the work. The studies are concluded with a diploma production.

Link to semester schedule (1st semester)

A special concern of the Department of Acting, Directing & Applied Theatre is to further develop the study program in constant exchange with current stage and performance practice.

NOTE: The start of studies is only possible in the summer semester.

10 study places are awarded annually. A special talent in terms of individual perceptive ability and interest in social issues combined with a strong scenic imagination is expected.

At the time of application, a minimum age of 19 years should be reached. Matura/Abitur is not a mandatory requirement for admission.

Prerequisite for the diploma program is passing the entrance examination. The registration for this is done online in the registration portal for study applicants.

The entrance exam for the directing program consists of several parts. For the first part of the entrance exam, several written papers on given topics have to be submitted.

First round of the entrance exam:

Development of a directing concept, either for one of 2 plays or a free concept, including a description of the conceptual approach (preferably also a stage design idea, max. 2 DIN A4 pages):
1. "The Trojan Women" by Euripides or
2. "Bombed" by Sarah Kane or
3. Free concept development (without literary template) on the topic "Never again war"
Description of an event from one's own immediate past that has moved very much (max. 1 DIN A4 page)
Report of a theater performance recently attended (whether perceived positively or negatively, ½ DIN A4 page)
Short text about the personal motivation to study directing (½ DIN A4 page)
Tabular curriculum vitae

The written work is to be uploaded as a PDF file in the application form by 10.01.2023. Second and third round of the entrance examination: after the evaluation of the submitted documents, the selected applicants* will be invited to the second round of the entrance examination. Here, a commission will decide in interviews and practical exercises on participation in the 3rd round (final round) and subsequently on admission to the directing program.
The second and third round of the entrance examination will take place on 03. and 04.02.2023.

For applicants whose first language is not German, proof of German language skills must be provided.