Arts Education Schools London
BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre (3 years)
Last year 100 per cent of Musical Theatre graduates from ArtsEd had agents, and 95 per cent had work after graduation and numerous current students have already been signed up for major. For example, Sally Ann Triplett was recently seen playing Lauren in the West End musical Viva Forever!They allow students to work with industry practitioners to sharpen their skills to meet the demands of the profession. With their brand new theatre, students can experience West End theatre conditions.
Students have classes or rehearsals all day, five days a week from 8.45am- 6pm and sometimes longer. They then have work to prepare for the following day. Students could be going from an acting class straight into ensemble singing straight into jazz followed by Speech and Voice and 1-2-1 singing!
Years One and Two
Dance- Students are given the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary and pas de deux. They will also develop their understanding of the human body, so that they can express themselves freely and creatively.Singing- An important feature of the Musical Theatre course is the provision of bespoke one-to-one singing and repertoire tuition. They offer weekly singing lessons to help ensure that students can produce a well-placed, consistent sound throughout the vocal range without a noticeable break between registers. Repertoire lessons provide a varied collection of songs from musical theatre and contemporary repertoires.
Acting- Students learn to perform in a convincing way by developing their imagination, concentration and observation skills. Acting technique lessons aim to teach students to create and portray characters, control movement, speech and voice in performance and how to work effectively as a member of a team. Also, they will learn a range of acting styles and increase their understanding of theatrical texts.
Contextual Studies- This part of the course gives students information on musical theatre background to enable them to become knowledgeable performers. It introduces students to the work of major composers, librettists, dramatists, choreographers and directors working in the field.
Performance- As a preparation for their final year, first and second year students work on numerous projects, which are presented before an audience of Course Tutors and students, at the end of each term. This is an opportunity to put into practise all techniques leaned and to develop their ability to combine singing, dance and acting.
Professional Practise- In the second and third year students participate in a number of career workshops, designed to provide them with everything they need to know as a performer. These sessions feature performers, agents, casting directors, tax specialists and Equity and Spotlight representatives. Audition classes with guest directors and choreographers help prepare students for the audition process. Students are also advised on how to prepare their CV and what makes a successful head shot.
Year Three
Professional Performance- This is a production year in which students are expected to utilise their skills and gain extensive experience in public performance. As well as their regular classes, they will participate in three staged musicals in front of a paying audience with full sets, costumes, lighting, sound and musical accompaniment. They will work in two professionally staffed theatres, and the newly built studios, with directors, choreographers, designers and musicians from the industry as well as professional stage managers and wardrobe staff. In addition, students will take part in a Graduation Showcase at a West End theatre in front of an audience of agents, directors, producers and choreographers.Assessment
The Students' progress is monitored throughout their training. They receive verbal reports from each of their subject tutors in February and July. In addition, each Year Head, Heads of Department and the Course Director comments on their progress. Dance, Acting and Singing assessments take place at the end of the Summer Term and students are assessed on all their productions and projects.
Application
No specific exam results or grades are required for applying for this course. However, those applying must have a good general standard of education and be 18 years old or above.
Auditions are held from November to April at ArtsEd in West London. On audition day those applying have an opportunity to see the school in action, meet current students and ask questions, so they should expect to be at the School for most of the afternoon. There are two stages to the audition.
Stage One- This stage begins with a jazz workshop, followed by a short singing audition. Candidates are expected to prepare two musical theatre songs. One should be a ballad written no later than 1965 and the other should be a contrast to the first song and be something the candidate enjoys singing. For stage one candidates should prepare a section from each of the two songs, each lasting no longer than one minute. The audition panel chooses to hear one or both of these sections. Sheet music in the right key must be brought for both songs. Candidates are asked to avoid character songs, such as ‘My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada’ (Avenue Q). The audition panel want to hear the candidates true voice – if candidates are invited to continue to Stage Two they may be asked to perform the same two songs in full and a monologue.
Stage Two- Those candidates who are be selected to stay for this stage may be required to dance again. All candidates are asked to sing again using their songs as previously prepared for the first stage of the audition. They should also prepare and learn one monologue from the shortlist of eight which is mailed to candidates once you have your audition date. The monologue should be performed in candidates' own accent and they will be expected to have a good understanding of the character within the context of the play. They are also required to learn a short duologue which they will be asked to perform with another actor. Candidates will be given various scenarios to see how they respond to direction and how well they work with others. Each candidate selected for Stage Two will also have an interview with senior tutors.
Fees and Funding
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre / 3 Year Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre- £13,260 per year
Audition Fee (non refundable)- £35
Deposit for full-time courses (Payable on Registration)- £350
The deposit will be held by the School and will be refunded when the student leaves in full or in part without interest dependent on whether there is an outstanding balance on the student’s account.
Student Loans- Funding is available from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and therefore students can apply for loans from the Student Loan Company. At current rates, students are eligible to apply for loans of up to £6,000 per year towards tuition fees, and up to £7,625 per year in maintenance loans for those living away from parents and studying in London. Part of this maintenance loan may be awarded as a grant for those on lower incomes.
Accommodation
The school sends an accommodation list with details of private landlords and local letting agents. A lot of students live locally in rented accommodation, sharing flats and houses. Students who are searching for flat shares can find accommodation through student postings on social network sites. However, there are no residential halls for students.
University Of Wolverhampton
BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre (Part-time 5/6 Years)
The aim of this course is to produce graduates who are both independent and enterprising. Once this course is completed students are capable of working across multiple performing arts disciplines and drive creative and critical engagement in musical theatre within regional, national and international contexts. During the course, students explore how musical theatre draws upon dance, drama and music.They will develop the skills to use new technologies in a range of subject-specific applications.
The course is vocationally-led and aims to enhance future employability.
Students have practical modules in musical theatre at all levels of the course to enable them to develop their performance skills. The course develops academic and practical skills in musical theatre, and looks at historical and contemporary practise. The University of Wolverhampton is continuously developing state of the art facilities which greatly enhance students learning experience.Their state-of-the-art performing arts and learning centre, The Performance Hub, opened in 2011 and was made for all of the performing arts courses. The hub features two bespoke drama studios that are ideal for rehearsals and small performances. The studios feature audio/visual equipment and facilities for hanging lighting for performances.
All staff are industry specialists with years of experience in their relevant subject area. The course consists of regular technique classes in dance (jazz, contemporary, ballet and tap), acting and vocal skills, and will provide students with the opportunity to participate in performances from the vast repertoire of musical theatre. Academic study helps to encourage students to think critically about musical theatre through assessing current trends and encouraging them to create their own original productions.
The course consists of a balance of the following activities; workshops, rehearsals, productions, practical classes, laboratory or studio-based practise, screenings, lectures, discussions (both online and in class), seminars, and tutorials. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge and understanding of critical theory to case studies within regional, national and international contexts. The course also offers professional placements of varying types (which will enhance students employability and ability to be enterprising). The course consists of; Tutor-led, (peer-group) student-led, and self-directed study; use of subject-specific and generic technologies (these will be particularly helpful in the development of your digital literacy); Resource-based learning, including library work and attendance at performances (this will be helpful in developing digital literacy, enhancing employability and ability to be enterprising, and increasing awareness of global citizenship).
Application
Here is my filled in application form for this course:
Entry Requirements-
- 220 UCAS points with a minimum of 160 points from 2 A Levels or equivalent
- BTEC National Diploma grade MMM, BTEC National Certificate grade DD
- BTEC QCF Extended Diploma grade MMM, BTEC QCF Diploma grade DD
- Access to HE Diploma full award
Other Requirements- Prospective applicants will be asked to attend a selection event/audition.
Those who do not meet the entry requirements may be offered an alternative course.Fees and Funding
| Full Time- £8,900 | |||
| Part-time- £2,645 |
Accommodation
The City Campus is situated within close proximity of a 24 hour supermarket, all teaching building and the free campus shuttle bus stop. It's also walking distance of the city centre. Economy accommodation at the City Campus costs are as follows:
37 Week Licence (Sept- May)- £2664
52 Week Licence (June-May)- £3744
Employability
Graduates could go on to employment or further training in a range of areas. They could work as a private teacher, FE lecturer, youth/community leader; performer, director, writer; work in community theatre, as an arts outreach worker; work as a theatre administrator or work in arts marketing.
On the other hand, they could continue academic studies by progressing on to MA study and then progress to a PhD. Alternatively, they would be ideally placed to audition for advanced performance training at postgraduate level at a conservatoire.
Graduates from Performing Arts subjects at The Wolverhampton University are heads of drama/teachers/lecturers in schools and colleges across the region and elsewhere in the UK and abroad. Some have formed their own professional companies, they work in community arts; are youth arts workers and education officers in theatres; they are stage technicians, playwrights, casting directors, work in the media, or work in arts marketing/management. Some work in areas such as marketing and retail management or in commercial activities such as in promotion companies and venue administration.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire Of Music And Dance
BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre Performance
This course was designed to enable students to develop the skills, attributes and knowledge necessary for a career as a creative entrepreneur and artist in the musical theatre industry. The staff are professional musical theatre practitioners. All students receive individual vocal tuition, as well as group coaching in singing, dance training (ballet, jazz, contemporary) and acting (including voice coaching)
All of the modules in Part One (Year One) are core and mandatory. In Part Two (Years Two and Three) all students have the opportunity to explore different aspects of the musical theatre industry through the Specialist Options modules (two options out of three offered to be taken in Year Two) as well as undertaking an Independent Project. Students will work in a range of artistic settings and with a wide range of leading industry professionals. Students will have at least three public performance opportunities within each year of study at external venues around London as well as within Trinity Laban. The course also provides access to Trinity Laban's Collaboration Lab (CoLab), a learning space in which students are encouraged to take creative risks and explore the boundaries of their art form in collaboration with staff and students from across Trinity Laban, leading artists from across the artistic spectrum and many of their professional partner organisations.
Year 1
Skills& Techniques- The modules have been designed to enable students to develop their musical theatre singing, acting and dancing skills and techniques to meet the demanding needs of the professional musical theatre industry. Students undertake a structured series of classes throughout the year. Students are exposed to a wide range of repertoire, styles and genres appropriate to the level and year of study and encouraged to develop self awareness, critical analysis, evaluation and personal management skills.Classes include the following:- Individual singing lessons
- Group singing (repertoire)
- Group singing (musicianship)
- Musical Theatre Voice
- Acting class
- Voice class
- Acting Through Song masterclasses
- Dance (Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Tap) classes
Reading Musical Theatre- They believe that Musical Theatre is an art form made up of a wide range of elements that communicate ideas, emotions, styles and story, and are therefore open to interpretation. Reading Musical Theatre enables students to understand and appreciate how and why musical theatre and performance might be experienced, perceived, understood and/or interpreted differently by differing constituencies in different contexts.
Learning to Learn- Learning to Learn allows students to see the development of learning as a constantly evolving transferable skill applicable and adaptable to a wide variety of contexts, including Musical Theatre. Through numerous lectures, presentations and seminar discussions, students will become increasingly aware of their own learning process in different settings, how effective these are, and how they may be improved upon.
The Creative Artist- The Creative Artist explores what a creative artist is, what the realities of being a creative artist are, and how and why students should identify themselves as a creative artist. The module takes an in depth look into industry working practises, protocols and expectations and how the creative artist engages with these successfully, specifically, examining the interface between individual creative methodology and industrial practise.
Performance Projects- The wide variety of performance opportunities ensure students experience a huge range of musical theatre performance scenarios. Experiences are modelled on real life performance contexts, within which students can apply and adapt their developing skills to meet the needs of musical theatre repertoire over the duration of the course. Students work alongside highly experienced industry professions, allowing students to apply relevant singing, acting and dance skills to musical theatre works and understand industry expectations, protocols and practises within audition, rehearsal and performance settings. The scale and size of the performances develop over the years of training, and students are allocated nine performance projects to study overall. Performance Projects include:
- Small and Medium showings of work
- Classic and Contemporary Musical theatre repertoire
- Theatre in Education
- In depth study into the works of Sondheim
- Agent Showcase
- Devised Musical
Year 2
Skills & TechniquesPerformance Projects
The Creative Entrepreneur- The Creative Entrepreneur builds on learning gained in The Creative Artist, helping students to recognise and maximise their earning potential in the marketplace. The module looks at ways of "selling" the creative artist as potentially both "product" and creator of product, and encourages students to think about how such products are promoted and sold in the marketplace. Students also look at the business aspect of the industry, as well as, how opportunities can be maximised by the creative entrepreneur.
Specialist Options- Each student in their second year of the BA programme selects two Specialist Options. These options are as follows:
Being a Creative- Being a Creative gives students the opportunity to broaden their awareness of other employment possibilities within the industry through an exploration of the role of "Creatives" i.e. Director, Music Director and Choreographer.
Teaching Others- Teaching Others allows students to have an introduction to teaching as a possibility of employment within the industry.
Writing Musicals- Writing Musical Theatre allows students to look at other non-performance creative opportunities as writers and composers of musical theatre material. In so doing, students will gain a deeper insight into the writing process that will inform their roles as performer-interpreters and Creatives.
Year 3
Devising Musicals- Devising Musicals was designed to increase students' knowledge, understanding and experience of how original musical theatre works can be created and to develop skills in a wide range of musical theatre-relevant areas. Students must create their own musical and participate in rehearsals and performances.The Working Professional
Independent Project- The Independent Project enables students to research an aspect of Musical Theatre practise that interests them in greater depth, and then to write about their findings. Students are expected to negotiate the subject matter with their allocated IP Supervisor.
Application
Entry Requirements-
Places are then awarded through audition and interview:
Workshop- Candidates must participate in a group workshop including warm-up exercises, and learning a musical theatre sequence including a group song, dance sequence and script work. Candidates may not be asked to continue following the workshop where the audition panel identifies a significant mismatch between the evidenced ability and the demands of the course. Applicants should wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Individual Audition (30 mins)- Candidates must perform two contrasting songs of their choice, lasting no longer than 10 minutes, plus one short monologue and a dance piece lasting no longer than 2 minutes. Where necessary candidates are expected to provide a backing track on tape, mini disc or CD or provide sheet music if they require the Official Accompanist. It might not be necessary for candidates to perform all pieces on the day.
The panel usually consists of the course leader, a music theatre voice specialist, and a member of the musical theatre team. Candidates may be asked to work on a particular passage of their audition piece. The audition panel will not stop the audition while the candidate is performing, but in the case of a piece with several sections they may specify that they only perform part of the work.
At the end of the audition there is a short interview where the panel are allowed ask about candidate's past training, achievements and their musical theatre aspirations. They will want to try to get to know the candidates better as a person and examine their understanding of the musical theatre profession. Candidates need to be prepared to talk about the music they listen to at home, shows they have attended and music-making and/or dance/acting opportunities they've have had.
There is a two part written paper. The content of the written paper is as follows:
1. Aural section- Candidates must listen to a well-known Musical Theatre piece and interpret the piece.
2. Candidates must reflect upon a Musical Theatre performance that they have recently seen or in which they have participated. This could be on a West End stage, a local theatre, college or school, or even a DVD/video they might have watched.
This is a diagnostic test which does not form part of the acceptance process, but is needed to identify areas where students might need support.
Details of the locations of candidates various sessions will be written on their audition timetable and a warm-up session will be scheduled for them before the audition begins.
Fees and Finance
Trinity Laban Conservatoire charges home/EU students tuition fees of £9,000 for all undergraduate programmes (for the first year, but may increase in line with inflation in subsequent years).
The government will loan eligible students the full amount through the Student Loans Company, which will pay the fee for the course directly to Trinity Laban. Students only begin to repay this loan once they have finished their course and are earning over £21,000 a year (under the current system, repayments begin once students are earning more than £15,000 a year).
If student's household income is less than £25,000 per year, they may receive an annual government grant of up to £3,250 to help with living costs such as food, accommodation and travel. If they are eligible, they won't have to pay this money back.
Accommodation
The McMillan Student Village, a privately run Halls of Residence, is located within easy walking distance of Trinity Laban and close to tube, train and bus links.
Renting a shared house or flat is also an option. Choosing private accommodation gives students the freedom to choose where you live, what facilities are important to the, and how they want to spend their budget.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire suggests that students allow £9,930 - £13,630 per year for living expenses. According to a survey by the UK’s National Union of Students, the average living expenses for students living in London are:
| Expense | Weekly Averages |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | £85 - £130 |
| Utilities (Gas, Electricity, Telephone, etc) Private Accommodation Only | £25 |
| Food | £32 - £35 |
| Clothing | £13 |
| Household Goods (including laundry) | £9 - £13 |
| Course Costs (Books, Stationery, Instrument maintenance, Reeds, etc) | £9 |
| Travel | £19 |
| Socialising | £40 |
| TOTAL | £232 - £284 |
