Musical Theatre BA(Hons)

You’ll build core skills in all physical disciplines – focusing on body, voice and acting – while learning the histories and contexts of performance and the development of musical theatre. We’ll then concentrate on specific techniques and skills for voice, singing and dance, alongside character development and text analysis.

Modules

Preparation for Performance: Body, Voice & Wellbeing

In this practice-based module, you’ll develop an understanding of how to challenge and develop your vocal and physical capabilities. You’ll participate in regular vocal and movement/dance classes to build the foundational skills that are essential to the musical theatre performer. 

Contexts and Histories of Musical Theatre

In this module, you’ll develop a foundational knowledge and understanding of musical theatre history. Through a series of lectures and seminars, you’ll be introduced to a range of seminal works and genres that are significant to the contextual and cultural development of musical theatre. 

Acting 1: Storytelling, Character and Improvisation

Through studio workshop sessions, you’ll explore a range of storytelling modes and practices, enabling you to employ the tools of the body, voice, imagination and live presence to communicate with an audience. Through a series of practical experiential workshops, you’ll create and develop stories and characters from a wide range of sources and examine how storytelling principles establish the actor-audience relationship. You’ll then develop narratives through via a process of research, improvisation, rehearsal and peer and tutor feedback. 

Dance & Movement 1: Core Skills

In this module, you’ll explore a range of dance and movement techniques that are essential to the musical theatre performer. Through classes including Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Body Conditioning, you’ll gain a fundamental understanding of posture, placement and strength and an awareness of musicality, style and performance techniques. You’ll also establish a critical understanding of key musical theatre contexts and practitioners.  

Voice & Singing 1: Core Skills

You’ll begin to develop a fundamental singing technique – based on the ‘Estill’ method – for the varied singing styles required in musical theatre. Through spoken voice workshops, you’ll continue to develop your technical skills as well as your understanding of language, structure, rhythm and poetic devices.  

This module builds upon the skills learned in Preparation for Performance and is delivered through a series of ensemble classes and individual tutorials. 

Acting 2: Naturalism in Rehearsal and Performance

Drawing on the rehearsal techniques of Stanislavski and his contemporary interpreters, this module will introduce you to a methodological rehearsal process appropriate to naturalistic texts. You’ll increase your understanding of how to collaborate and communicate effectively with others and how to develop a contextually appropriate, organised and personally effective approach to rehearsal and performance. 

Developing your vocal practice, you’ll study techniques for both the spoken and sung voice. You’ll also learn ballet, tap, jazz and core dance skills, before integrating them into your first musical theatre project. Finally, you’ll engage in professional preparation and repertoire in dance and singing and learn to act for recorded media and digital technologies in musical theatre.

Modules

Dance & Movement 2: Developing Techniques

In this module, you’ll deepen your knowledge and experience of core dance styles in musical theatre. During your practical sessions you’ll explore choreography, develop your knowledge of seminal practitioners and learn to communicate character, emotion and narrative through a confident and fluid use of your developing technique. 

Voice & Singing 2: Developing Techniques

You’ll develop your understanding of spoken voice, technical singing and musicianship through individual tutorials and group classes. Practical work will increase your confidence in sight-singing and aural training and focus on the demonstration of technique, expression and communication within performance. You’ll be introduced to accents and will continue to enhance your practical responses to acting methodologies. 

Integrated Skills 1: Musical Theatre Project

Working as an ensemble cast, you’ll study, rehearse, perform and evaluate pieces from a varied repertoire of contrasting musical theatre content. This project will draw together all the skills you’ve developed in singing, dance and acting and will work towards a performance presentation. You’ll expand your understanding of the range of demands placed upon the performer, while integrating these skills in rehearsal towards a unified and collaborative approach to performance. 

Dance & the Actor: Professional Preparation & Repertoire 

In this module, you’ll explore musical theatre repertoire through dance, as well as integrating scene and song. You’ll be introduced to partner work and relevant social and historical dance, developing your ability to express style, character and emotion in performance. You’ll also learn about ‘Swinging’ within musical theatre and how to develop a comprehensive ‘Swing Bible’ and notation. 

Voice & the Actor: Professional Preparation & Repertoire 

Through an exploration of repertoire, you’ll explore the emotional, physical and vocal responses to both music and text. This will result in an expanding personal portfolio of songs and repertoire, together with an enhanced awareness of your personal potential and employability. In voice and text classes you’ll focus on different styles of sung and spoken text and explore the intersections between speaking and singing technique. 

Professional Development: Contemporary Industry Practice

In this module, you’ll expand your knowledge of industry requirements and processes as you prepare to become a professional performer. Seminars, lectures and workshops will include theatre audition technique, visiting industry professionals and guest artist talks. You’ll also learn about contract law, personal taxation and the importance of personal profile, self-promotion and professionalism. 

You can choose to take an optional placement year after your second year on a three-year programme. 

You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the RealWORKS employability team. 

Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. 

How you’ll study during your placement year 

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. 

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. 

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. 

Focusing on examples of industry practice, you’ll work on pieces from established shows and gather audition material. You’ll undertake a portfolio or dissertation engaging with emerging practice in musical theatre and learn from a series of guest industry practitioners. Towards the end of the year you’ll put on a final musical theatre production and have the chance to create a digital showcase.

Modules

Professional Development 2: Advanced Practice 

Here, you’ll advance your skills and the application of your existing techniques through classes, masterclasses and workshops guided by staff, guest artists and industry professionals. Building on knowledge gained in Professional Development 1, you’ll work on voice reel and showreel material that can be added to your personal promotional website. You’ll also learn the technique of self-taping and its importance as an auditioning tool within the industry. 

Professional Development 3: Musical Theatre Futures 

In this module, you’ll expand your creative potential both as performer and maker. You’ll be encouraged to explore and develop existing, new and original work to consider and create new professional employment opportunities. You’ll use your skills to contribute to the creation of new musical theatre work, either by developing your own ideas and material and/or by working collaboratively to select and adapt resources already in existence from page to stage. 

Integrated Skills 2: Musical Theatre Performance 

In collaboration with a director, choreographer, musical director and production team, you’ll work towards a fully supported public performance. You'll work in an intensive rehearsal environment as part of a theatre company and fully integrate all your performance skills in the areas of dance, singing and acting. This production is the culmination of all the skills gained and developed during your degree.