THEATRE DIRECTING AND RADIOPHONY (BA)

About the Study Program

The University Undergraduate Study Program in Theatre Directing and Radiophony at the Academy of Dramatic Art is based on both practical artistic and theoretical instruction, through which students master the fundamentals of creative processes in theatre and radio directing. The program acquaints students with historical and contemporary trends in the practice and theory of theatre and radio directing, and it is structured on the sequential acquisition of knowledge — progressing from simpler tasks to more complex ones. In the initial semesters, the focus is on the historical, theoretical, and terminological acquisition of theatrical knowledge in areas such as theatre directing, scenography, costume design, lighting design, and literature, so that in later semesters this knowledge is applied practically in artistic-educational productions. Theatre directing students collaborate in practical projects with students from almost all other programs at the Academy — primarily acting, dramaturgy, and production — and each artistic-educational production includes several public performances in the Academy’s theatre spaces or in professional theatres. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to assist in professional theatres and participate in internships, with particular emphasis on working on a major joint opera project involving three artistic academies.

History and Tradition

The three-year undergraduate program is the only theatre directing program in the Republic of Croatia and was conceived as an overview — introducing the artistic, professional, and theoretical aspects of theatre directing and radio directing, as well as providing a comprehensive, theoretical, and artistic introduction to theatre as a whole.

The program, along with the acting program, was established in 1950 when Dr. Branko Gavella, Dr. Drago Ivanišević, and Ranko Marinković initiated the founding of the Academy for Theatre Arts. The very first generations of graduates have had a dominant influence on the development of Croatian theatre, establishing theatre directing as an independent and authentic discipline while uncovering new theatrical spaces and performance opportunities. Many of these graduates themselves went on to become instructors in the acting and theatre directing programs, thereby integrating the tenets of their personal artistic poetics into the teaching process, which has continuously modernized and improved the program. With the advancement of technology, the program also incorporated a radio directing component, broadening the range of skills and professional knowledge. Today, contemporary technological achievements that shape the visual identity of a performance are also part of the curriculum. Following the Bologna reform implemented in 2005, the program was divided into undergraduate and graduate levels, and since then the curricula have been continuously adapted to the times and the needs of new generations of students.

About the Teachers

The commitment to both theoretical and artistic excellence is evident in the teaching staff. All employed instructors are active artists who participate in contemporary theatre practice and have received numerous awards and recognitions. They include theatre directors, scenographers, costume designers, and radio professionals who integrate theoretical knowledge of their disciplines into their work and regularly update it with contemporary theoretical insights.

Career Prospects after Graduation

Upon completion of the undergraduate program, graduates have acquired the fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to engage in theatre work as independent directors, directing assistants, inspectors, or as directors of various events—from concerts to smaller-scale productions. They are also well-equipped to apply and build upon the knowledge they have gained in their artistic careers. Since artistic personalities are often formed during the course of study, it is not uncommon for graduates to establish their own artistic organizations and associations or to join existing ones.