Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Instructing Workshops at DMU
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among forever DMs who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the planners began developing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is set for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“There are countless online tutorials on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience alongside other dungeon masters, where direct communication with faculty instructors and your peers often in comparable situations and aim to improve their skills,” noted Jason Carl.
Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers
DMs can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the level of access they desire with the experts. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:
- Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of leading a game.
- Campaign Building: Centers on crafting long-running games.
- Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds.
- Professional Development: Tailored to dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.
Each course includes eight hours of instruction spread over 48 hours.
“The classes are created so that you leave with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can participate in, learn from, and then head back to your table the week after and apply in your home campaign.”
Seasoned Educators
The majority of workshops are taught by two professors. Universe creation is taught by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.
Professional development features several experts, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to students with specific goals.
“Certain participants plan to create their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Advanced Options
A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier provides access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.
“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I think the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”
The $2.5K platinum tier includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and guidance.
“The aim is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to receive input and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”
Next Steps
Responses from the first event will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.
“I hope that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in different cities, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with current developments and I think it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in conjunction with big conventions.”
