Degree awarded: MA (120 ECTS) 

Duration: 2 years, full-time 

Size of cohort: maximum 5 students 

Language of instruction: English 

Next admissions deadline: January 15, 2025

Next start date: October 1, 2025

Fees: CZK 230 000 per academic year 

Course leader: Michaela Raisová, PhD. 

About the Programme 

MA Authorial Acting offers in-depth study of authorial acting and psychosomatic disciplines, with an emphasis on authorial creativity and pedagogy. Developed by programme founder Ivan Vyskočil, authorial acting emphasises the performer’s original (or authorial) creativity. The programme will work with your imagination and unique creative capacity as the author of your own concepts, material and performances, and develop your performance skills in voice, speech and movement. Authorship and a cultivated sense of playfulness in performance are explored in ethical, social, philosophical and pedagogical contexts. The programme produces collaborative, original artists, independent and self-aware individuals. Confident in your artistic and inner personal voice, you’ll be equipped with the authorial and performance tools to express your point of view compellingly and creatively. 

Based in the Department of Authorial Creativity and Pedagogy at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU), the programme offers a vibrant, international environment that will inspire and support you to develop your practice.  

Programme Content and Structure 

What will I learn? 

• You will be able to situate your work within the field of authorial acting and psychosomatic disciplines, both practically and theoretically. 
• You will gain extensive experience in conceiving and developing original authorial work, alone and in collaboration with others, and cultivate your capacity to effectively lead a creative team. 
• You will develop skills and strategies to share your discoveries and knowledge of authorial acting and psychosomatic disciplines with professional peers and lay people in person, through publication and in discussion. 
• You will write your own authorial texts for use in stage, radio, television and film contexts and apply your authorial skills to ideas and texts generated by others.  
• As a performer, you will attain advanced performance skills, cultivating your capacity to consciously employ voice, speech, gesture and movement in performance in a holistic, psychosomatic way and to draw on elements of your personality in performance, in both artistic and broader contexts. 

Teaching and learning on MA Authorial Acting is practice-led and aims to develop your skills as an author and performer. Advanced training in foundational psychosomatic disciplines (voice, speech, movement, dialogical acting, play) is integrated in the study of authorial reading and presentation, while theoretical subjects provide the border context for creation. Modules, workshops and seminars are taught by practising artists, scholars and theorists from the Czech Republic and abroad and you will be assigned an appropriate supervisor for your final project. 

Three core modules, Authorial Reading, Dialogical Acting and its Pedagogy and Authorial Acting (levels I and II) run throughout all four semesters of study. A fourth module, Authorial Presentation, runs in the 3rd and 4th semesters. Other required areas of study include Dialogical Acting Training, Individual Voice Education, Body in Motion, Speech as Active Communication and Awareness in Movement. Public presentation of your work is embraced as part of the learning process and you will have multiple opportunities to present your work, including as part of the festival Autorská tvorba Nablízko (Authorial Creation Up Close). 

Your studies will conclude with the presentation of an original performance of at least 30 minutes in length. You will also write and orally defend a MA thesis and pass oral exams on the history and theory of authorial acting and theatre.   

View detailed study plan 

Applications 

Most applicants will hold a bachelor’s degree in a performing arts or humanities discipline. Applicants should be in good physical and mental health and will be expected to demonstrate an aptitude for collaboration and capacity for further creative development. Applicants will be assessed on their capacity for development in the key disciplines of voice, speech and movement. Assessment of acting skills will include the ability to engage in play, work with a partner, react authentically and improvise. Applicants’ ability to author original texts or concepts will also be assessed. The online filled out application must be completed with these annexes: 

• a portfolio 
• a CV 
• a notarized copy of your bachelor’s diploma. 
• a letter of motivation  
• a letter of recommendation 
• authorial texts  

Applicants will complete an online application, followed by an individual or group (depends on the number of the applicants) audition and interview. Admission interviews will take place in English and cover the applicant’s motivation for study and general knowledge of art, culture, philosophy and current affairs. The next admissions deadline is January 15, 2025. 

View full admissions information  

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of English at CEFR B2 level or above (no certificate required).  

Resources and information for non-EU students is available via the International Office.  

Lecturers teaching on MA Authorial Acting are active as theatre practitioners, dramaturgs, theorists and scholars. The programme has strong links with artists, ensembles and institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad. 

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to engage in Prague’s vibrant performing arts scene. 

Graduate Profile 

MA Authorial Acting produces confident, creative artists who apply their skills in a wide range of creative fields in the Czech Republic and abroad. Graduates pursue their own projects in the fields of theatre, literature, art, design, video art, movement, dance and music. They may find employment in mainstream or alternative theatre as actors, directors and dramaturgs, or in media as writers, dramaturgs, commentators and editors. Other graduates pursue careers outside of the cultural sector, such as teaching and counselling. Many students combine their studies at DAMU with prior or subsequent study of other disciplines and become creative innovators in other fields. 

Degree awarded: MA (120 ECTS) 

Duration: 2 years, full-time 

Size of cohort: maximum 6 students 

Language of instruction: English 

Next admissions deadline: January 15, 2025

Next start date: October 1, 2025

Fees: CZK 230 000 per academic year 

Course leader: Petra Hauerová 

About the Programme 

MA Directing of Devised and Object Theatre (MA DOT) offers advanced studies in theatre-making with a twofold emphasis: devising a theatre performance from scratch and mastery of the visual dimension of theatre production. This practice-led programme will support you to develop your own aesthetic point of view and practical theatre-making toolkit by offering multiple opportunities – culminating in a final MA performance project – to make and present original work. You will study visual, spatial, object and (low tech) media-based approaches to theatre-making and see how these skills can be applied to related forms such as installation, sound performance and other contexts demanding strong visual and spatial dramaturgy. 

Based in the Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU), the programme offers a vibrant, international environment that will inspire and support you to develop your practice as an independent, collaborative artist.  

Programme Content and Structure 

What will I learn? 

• You will gain extensive experience of devising contemporary performance from initial concept/inspiration to the public presentation of the work, with a particular focus on object, space and the visual dimension of performance-making.  
• You will be able to situate your work within contemporary performance theory and practice, demonstrating critical knowledge of key dramaturgical issues and trends. 
• You will cultivate your artistic independence with a critical approach to contemporary theatre making and its socio-cultural context, clarifying your artistic interests and language and drawing on your own knowledge and experience to interrogate current issues. 
• You will be confident in generating new approaches to material and works in progress, developing a strong set of performance-making tools and selecting appropriate strategies and methodologies for specific contexts. 
• You will develop confidence and skill in creating performative spaces and establishing relationships with the audience. 
• You will grow your skills as a collaborator and engage in open, productive and creative dialogue with colleagues, producers and audiences.  
• You will cultivate a dramaturgical perspective, analysing the content, structure and dynamics of a performance work beyond notions of “right” and “wrong.” 

You will learn to work with a variety of authentic, found, and created material: poetry, images, fragments of plays, songs, historical events, personal stories, pop culture etc. You will further learn a conceptual approach to research and development of materials, creating specific performance structures (in the sense of narrative, space, and relationship to audience), from specific material, and proposing new ways for the audience to perceive/experience the performance. The course aims to provide the students with skills to become independent authors.  

During the two years of study you will be guided in own artistic activity, which is consult individually with pedagogues and at the same time provide feedback to each other. Study is built on theoretical and practical subjects, which are supplemented in each semester by several workshops with Czech and foreign artists. 

You have to produce at least three creative performances during the course, one is a graduation final performance and it´s reflected in the state final examination. In addition, part of the state final examination is writing and defending of thesis and oral examination covering the key dramaturgical and theoretical concepts. 

View detailed study plan 

Applications 

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree (a previous degree or experience in a performing arts discipline are not prerequisites). The online filled out application must be completed by following annexes: 
• A creative project proposal for MA-level study 
• A letter of motivation 
• A portfolio of the applicant’s current creative, professional or theoretical work 
• A CV 

Based on this submission, applicants may be invited to a second round, which consists of a creative task (usually submitted by video) and an interview (in-person or via video call). The next admissions deadline is January 15, 2025. 

View full admissions information

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of English at CEFR B2 level or above (no official certificate required).  

Resources and information for non-EU students is available via the International Office.  

Lecturers teaching on MA DOT are active as theatre practitioners, dramaturgs and scholars. The programme has strong links with artists, ensembles and institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad, including: Kjartan Fønstelien, Julian Hetzel, Jaha Koo, Jakob Oredsson, Miguel Malgares, Vinny Jones, Wojtek Ziemilski, Rima Najdi, Gert-Jan Stam, Yuka Oyama, Christelle Havranek,  Adéla Součková, Dragan Stojčevski, Mali Weil - Lorenzo Facchinelli & Mara Ferrieri,  Spielraum Kollektiv - Linda and Mathias Straub, Costume Agency - Sodja Lotker & Christina Lindgren, Branko Jordan, Marta Keil, Ntando Cele etc. 

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to engage in Prague’s vibrant performing arts scene by:  

• participate in international festivals in Prague and in other Czech cities 
• collaborate with some artists on professional projects, create on friendly cooperating theatre scenes in Prague (Alfred ve dvoře, Alta, Ponec, Kampus Hybernska etc.), Brno (Terén), Pilsen (Moving station), Pardubice (Gampa, Divadlo 29) etc. 
• apply for and participate in residencies in the Czech Republic within residency programs, but also as part of residency opportunities with the presentation of work in progress at festivals (e.g. Bazaar festival, 4+4 days in motion, Malá inventura, etc.) 
• cooperate with galleries (e.g. Kunsthalle Prague on performative activities within partial exhibition projects) 
• interdisciplinary cooperation with other art faculty members, the philosophy faculty, etc. 
• every year 1st year students participate in a contextually selected current international European festival in the field of theatre, performing art and other forms.  

Graduate Profile 

The programme graduate will have orientation in the field of contemporary performance practice and theory with focus on most important dramaturgical issues and current trends. They will be able to critically understand them and to create new approaches to developed material, exploring it via performative tools. Further they will be able to designate appropriate methods for specific material, as well as specific ways to create performative space and the relationship to audience.  

They will be independent artists critically approaching contemporary theatre and the world, while being able to use their situated knowledge, their own experiences as a tool for exploration of the world issues.  

Graduates will further be capable of open and productive dialogues with the collaborators, producers and audiences. The dialogue methods that they will use will not be evaluative, judgmental dialogue but a creative dialogue that is open to difference, while being capable of catering to your own creative needs, with specific focus of looking for performative potentials rather than ‘right and wrong’. For this reason, the graduates will be also able to function as collaborators and dramaturgs for other artists and groups. 

Specializations:

• Theatre Scenography
• Production Design 

Degree awarded: MA (120 ECTS) 

Duration: 2 years, full-time 

Size of cohort: maximum 8 students

Language of instruction: English 

Next admissions deadline: January 15, 2025

Next start date: October 1, 2025

Fees:

• Theatre Scenography CZK 215 000 per academic year 
• Production Design CZK 228 000 per academic year 

Course leader: Doc. Mgr. Jan Štěpánek 

About the Programme 

MA Scenography offers advanced training at the intersection of the visual and performing arts, humanities and technology. Designed to respond to and develop your interests, the programme is flexible and student-led. Lecturers will support and challenge you to clarify your individual artistic interests, priorities and vision through a series of practical assignments supported by technical training and contextual studies. You will choose one of two specialisations: Theatre Scenography or Production Design (Film Design). Theatre Scenography will prepare you for a career collaborating on traditional and site-specific live performance performance projects, while Production Design will equip you with the technical and artistic skills to work in film.  

MA Scenography is based in the Department of Scenography at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU). Founded by Czech stage designer and architect Prof. František Tröster in 1946, the Department is home to the rich, world-leading tradition of Czech stage design, as well as a host of dynamic, contemporary practitioners who contribute to teaching on the programme. This dynamic mix of tradition and innovation offers an inspiring environment for developing your design practice.   

Programme Content and Structure 

What will I learn? 

Theatre Scenography 

• You will develop your skills as a distinctive, independent creative able to respond to design briefs and initiate your own projects in a wide range of contexts, including dramatic theatre of all genres and styles, opera, physical theatre, dance, musical theatre and work in unconventional and public spaces, as well as curation and installation within and beyond gallery spaces.  
• You will gain experience in creating distinctive and complex scenographic designs of high artistic quality and hone your collaborative skill as a valuable creative and conceptual partner for directors, choreographers, producers and curators. 
• You will develop skills and strategies for presenting and defending your designs, finding solutions for the material and technical elements of a design and providing artistic and organisational leadership to a design implementation team. 
• You will gain experience as a collaborator, working as part of a creative team and commissioning the production of artistic and scenic installations, objects, props and furniture.  
• You will develop strategies and techniques to create models, document your work and co-create public presentations.  
• You will be able to offer theoretical reflection on your own creative practice, situating it in contemporary and historical social, political and aesthetic contexts.  

Teaching and Learning in Theatre Scenography is designed to respond to your needs and interests, with lecturers supporting you to develop your own point of view. As you progress through the programme, the work will intensify, with greater demands on your creativity and innovation. Your first three semesters will be devoted to completing the programme’s taught curriculum, which includes the core module Scenography, running across all four semesters, and additional required modules: History of Scenography, Drawing and Painting, and Implementation Practice. Your fourth and final semester is devoted to your MA thesis project.  

Production Design  

• You will develop the technical and artistic know-how to become a sought-after collaborator on the audiovisual creative teams through study of subjects such as technical drawing, perspective imaging, construction technology and budgeting.  
• You will gain experience applying your knowledge and skills to audiovisual design projects of different scales. 
• You will be confident in using your training to implement your designs on set, collaborating with film students and working in an environment that mirrors professional film sets.  
• You will gain experience managing the technical and economic aspects of production design. 
• To support your in-depth knowledge of film production and the role of the art department, you will experience the roles of set designer, illustrator, production manager and production designer.  
• You will be able to offer theoretical reflection on your own creative practice, situating it within the history of production design and key artistic and technical developments in Czech and world cinematography. 

Teaching and learning in Production Design simulates professional audiovisual production contexts as much as possible and you will collaborate with film students from FAMU’s international programme throughout your studies. In your first year of study, you will become familiar with the work of film architects, completing a smaller-scale project involving interior and exterior design work at the end of each semester. In your second year, the third semester is devoted to combining real and virtual scenography. In your fourth and final semester, you will focus on your final MA thesis project: a comprehensive design for a feature film.  

View detailed study plan

Applications 

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in scenography, architecture or a related discipline. Those applying to the Production Design specialisation should demonstrate some prior understanding of audiovisual production. The online filled out application must be completed with these annexes: 

• A portfolio 
• A CV 
• A notarized copy of your bachelor’s diploma. 
• A letter of motivation 

Based on the submitted application, selected applicants will be asked to complete a creative task and attend an entrance interview via MS Teams 

The next admissions deadline is January 15, 2025

View full admissions information.

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of English at CEFR B2 level or above (no certificate required).  

Resources and information for non-EU students is available via the International Office.  

Industry Links: Local & International 

Lecturers teaching on MA Scenography are active scenographers, production designers, and theoreticians. The programme has strong links with artists, ensembles and institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad. 

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to work closely with students in FAMU and DAMU’s other international programmes, laying the groundwork for possible future collaborations. You will have the opportunity to engage in Prague’s vibrant performing arts and film scenes. 

Graduate Profile 

MA Scenography graduates are confident, multifaceted artists who are sought-after collaborators in diverse creative contexts in the Czech Republic and abroad. Theatre Scenography graduates work as scenographers and costume designers across all types of theatre, including in unconventional spaces and site-specific contexts. Some pursue roles in spatial design, working as set managers, architectural consultants, interior designers, curators, exhibition designers and stage managers. Production Design graduates often go on to roles in film crew art departments, such as set designer, illustration, set supervisor and lead production designer. Graduates may also pursue work in commercials, music videos and the video game industry.