The master's programme in theatre and orchestra management trains B.A. graduates from academic and artistic programs, as well as colleagues with professional experience, for middle and higher management positions in theatres, festivals, independent groups, orchestras and concert halls. Within four semesters, students complete twelve subjects (modules) in which they are taught the latest knowledge in the areas of theatre management, orchestra management, play planning, business administration, cultural theory, law, scheduling, marketing and production, among others. The studies take place in a small seminar group of max. 8 to 10 students and in intensive exchange with more than 20 lecturers and the course directors.

In doing so, the course critically examines the current theatre and music landscape and discusses options and reform models within the seminars and practical exercises, in which more justice, greater co-determination of ensembles, flatter hierarchies, more democratic management models and the active promotion of women, accessibility and anti-discrimination are among the essential cornerstones. We also support the demands of the ensemble network and other organizations that advocate for better working conditions for artists.

The director of the program has recently published Theater, Krise und Reform (by Springer VS. Wiesbaden, 2016) and Macht und Struktur im Theater: Asymmetrien der Macht (by Springer VS. Wiesbaden, 2019), which analyzes and discusses the current theater system based on these and other points.

Admission to the Master's programme in Theatre and Orchestra Management requires a completed BA degree in an artistic or other subject (theatre, music, cultural studies, etc.) and the passing of the aptitude test. We also expect a high level of interest in a professional career in this field, initial experience from internships or through your own work, and the ability to also deal with questions about the future of theatres and orchestras in Germany. We are also interested in the theatre and orchestra systems of other countries. Applications from students from other countries are therefore explicitly welcome, provided they meet the above requirements.

Admission to the master's programme in theatre and orchestra management takes place in a two-stage procedure.

All graduates of artistic or other subjects (e.g. theatre, music, cultural studies, etc.) with an interest in a future job in a theatre, orchestra, festival or production location of the independent scene in Germany can apply until May 15, 2022. The B.A. degree certificate does not have to be available by the application deadline, but proof that the degree will be available by the start of the winter semester is required.

The application documents consist of the following parts:

• Letter of motivation (2 DIN A4 pages on the personal references of a study and career choice in the environment of theatre and orchestra)
• Curriculum vitae
• Degree certificate or proof of current status of studies
• Application essay
• Online application via the website of the HfMDK Frankfurt

The application essay and documents will be evaluated by a three-member applicant selection committee headed by the programme director, Prof. Dr. Thomas Schmidt.

We will then evaluate the documents and invite the best 12 - 14 applicants* to a qualifying examination, which will start at 1:30 pm on June 22, 2022 and last until approximately 5:30 pm. The aptitude test will take place digitally, so that you will not have to travel.

The essay should have a length of 8 - 12 pages, of course it can be longer if you want to say more about one of the topics. You can treat the essay either scientifically, journalistically or in a mixed form. Please submit the essay together with your application documents by May 15, 2022 - please always send a copy of your documents directly to theater_und_orchestermanagement@hfmdk-frankfurt.de in parallel.

The essay question for 2022 is:

What are the roles of theatres and orchestras in (today's) society? How must the future of theatres and orchestras be shaped so that they can once again assume their roles and responsibilities in society more strongly and with a broader reach? Analyse the situation and make suggestions for the future. (Please focus on one of the two areas, although theatre can also include opera, liberal arts, or theatre festivals)

We want to use this to learn something about you and about your thinking. Why do you choose a topic? How do you go about analyzing and evaluating the existing situation? What kind of proposals do you make? And what future do you outline for the theatres and orchestras? Show us what and how much you have already read, and how you process this knowledge. Share your ideas with us. We are interested in you and your thinking!

The Study and Examination Regulations (SPO) set out the framework conditions and regulations for your studies. They apply together with the General Regulations (for Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes) or the SPoL (for teacher training degree programmes). All versions of the SPO for your degree programme (including earlier versions for students of previous academic years) can be found at Examinations.