MPA (Theatre Arts)

The Masters in Performing Arts programme is a rigorous, full time three-year course. This course trains the students in the practical and theoretical work so that they understand and practice theatre as a unique form of artistic communication. The core components are designed to provide hands-on experience of all the areas of theatrical communication and their possible application in different contexts. The theory courses teach the students to look at the history of theatre practice from multiple perspectives-like the literary, socio-economic, political, philosophical, etc. The course content covers both Western and Indian Drama and theatre. It also provides understanding of theatre in relation to other forms of artistic expression-like painting, sculpture, music, cinema, etc. The course tries to encompass the whole spectrum, from classical to contemporary, traditional to commercial, and folk to the digital. Here is a brief outline of the course components, spread over the three years of study:

Theory Courses:

Arts, Aesthetics and Society

Play Analysis

History, Theory, Text (Classical, Indian & Non-Indian)

Realism and After.

Indian Drama and Performance in Contemporary Context

Theatre Studies

• To understand different forms of artistic expressions, their processes, contexts, grammar  and to relate them with theatrical expressions.
• Significance and multiplicity of theatre activities and their relationship to their contemporary history and culture.
• How different theatre forms struggle for space within the same period and culture.
• Conceptual, theoretical and research domains of theatre/performance.    

Practice Based Courses:

Full length Play productions with focus on production process (One per year)

• Different stages of production process from an idea/theme/text to a concrete theatrical expression.
• Working with experienced and professional directors on different kinds of plays. To understand different ways of interpreting and producing professional performances.

Design/Technology/Direction:

Basics of Design
Theory and Practices of Scenography
Theory and Practice of Direction

• Hands-on training in design skills and to understand their function in the total performance structure in organic relation to other components.
• Working with new materials and techniques to explore new avenues in contemporary performance.

Acting:

Styles of Acting

Acting in Play Productions (Classical/ traditional/ folk/ Modern Western/ Modern Indian contemporary approaches to Acting)

• The basic elements of acting, stage presence and theatrical communication. To be able to follow direction and execute the director’s interpretation of the text, to design one’s acting in relation to other elements of design.
• Skills and possibilities of improvisations, different approaches to and styles of acting through a series of scene-works and productions.

 
Theatre and performance in New Contexts

Community Theatre or Applied Theatre

Children’s Theatre, Theatre in Education & Puppet Theatre

• Using the skills of theatre practice in different contexts like Community theatre, Children’s theatre, event management etc.
• To visualize and prepare professional theatre projects with a clear understanding of the budget, work division, human and financial resource management, presentation and marketing.

 There is an exit clause at the end of the first year. Students, who have successfully completed the first year and do not wish to take advantage of the more in-depth training provided during the next two years can leave the course with a P.G. Diploma in Theatre Arts.

Promotion into the second year, apart from the desire of the student, is subject to satisfactory performance and successful completion of the first year of study. The performance of the student will be assessed on the basis of regular attendance, motivation and active participation in the studies and practical work, co-operation and co-ordination with fellow students as well as securing the necessary minimum marks in written and practical exams.