2 Year Accelerated BA in Musical Theatre (Professional Performance)

Year 1 - Terms 1 & 2 (FHEQ Level 4)

In Level 4 of your training you will work on developing a strong foundational technique in the craft of Acting, Singing and Dance. You will be given the opportunity to perform solo several times a week, and gain feedback by staff and other industry professionals to help develop your artistry. Term 1 also kicks off with a Swing project where all students are cast as leads and ensemble in a large excerpt from a show. This project is led by a Musical Director and a Director/ Choreographer.

Acting

Acting lies at the heart of every good Musical Theatre Performance. At Associated Studios you will learn how to build your craft and reach your acting potential. You will do this through working with Directors, Voice Teachers, Writers and Actors/Acting Practitioners who will use a range of classes and techniques to help you discover how to harness the power of drama. Many Associated alumni go on to work as straight actors, as well as in Musical Theatre.

Areas of Work Include:

• Improvisation: Developing your ability to think quickly and trust your instincts.
• Text Class: Including work on the seminal classical and contemporary playwrights which may include Shakespeare, Chekov, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Pinter and David Hare.
• Acting Technique: Looking at the approach of practitioners such as Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Stella Adler, Stanford Meisner and Mike Alfreds. You will create a tool-box of techniques you can draw on to create a truthful performance.
• Monologues: You will explore how to choose and perform monologues suitable for acting and musical theatre auditions.
• Voice classes: Voice work includes learning the basic techniques of the actors voice such as: Resonance, Articulation, ‘Forward Placement’, Breath Control and work on RP and General American accents.
• Scene Study: Putting your technical skills into practice, you will work on scenes from set plays with a director.
• Screen Acting
• A straight play with public performance in a London theatre

Singing and Music

The study of singing and music is fundamental to your traing and Associated Studios has a reputation for developing singers og the highest calibre.

Level 4 is about understanding your singing voice and building the strength and flexibility required to perform professionally in an 8-show week. You will develop your versatility by approaching different styles of Musical Theatre from ‘legit’, classical MT and Operetta through to Contemporary Musicals and Pop/Rock. Students receive regular 1-to-1 Singing lessons to supplement your normal class work. You will work with Musical Directors, Singing Teachers, Directors, Movement Directors, Vocal Coaches and Composers.

Areas of Work Include:

• Vocal Technique: You will build the vocal, physical and mental strength, flexibility and stamina required to succeed in the competitive Musical Theatre industry, through establishing a rigorous practice regime.
• 1-to-1 Singing Technique: Work individually with a singing teacher on a regular basis throughout your training.
• Repertoire: Learn how to find appropriate songs from across the breadth of the Musical Theatre genre. Understand how to cut and present sheet music required for professional auditions. Associated Studios takes pride in alumni having audition ready repertoire folders, appropriate to the demands of the industry.
• Vocal Performance: Work with Musical, Movement and Acting Directors to develop your individual performance by acting through song.
• Audition Technique: Working in masterclasses with Musical Directors, Agents and Casting Directors you will gain greater understanding of the techniques behind successful singing auditions, including how to cut songs for 32-bar auditions. Audition etiquette will be discussed and practised.
• Performance Confidence: Work through the common problems of anxiety and lack of confidence in a safe, nurturing environment.

Dance and Movement

Building your understanding of dance and movement will underpin the physical work required for the other disciplines. We divide our dance classes into different ability levels to allow you to work at the level suitable for your current experience and skill.

Dance classes aim to bring you up to the standard required to successfully audition in a ‘dance call’ in the current musical theatre industry. As well as undertaking work to condition your body to be at its peak fitness, you will learn to use your technique to adapt into different dance styles and genres, learning how to connect your acting to your movement and vice versa. You will work with a range of Dance Practitioners, Choreographers, Stage Combat Directors and Movement experts on a wide range of classes to give you a diverse experience throughout your training.

Areas of Work Include:

• Dance Technique: You will work on a range of dance techniques from Ballet to Jazz, Tap and Contemporary Dance.
• Musical Theatre Routine: Working with choreographers and current West-End performers, you will explore the different styles and genres of dance and movement within the world of Musical Theatre. You will have audition dance masterclasses in which you are taught current show routines by professional choreographer/performers.
• Movement Practice/Body Conditioning: You will build your strength, flexibility and stamina by using body conditioning practices including: Cardio, Pilates, Yoga and Alexander Technique.

Contextual Studies

You will explore the world of Musical Theatre through the lens of history. You will look at the importance and impact of culture on theatre, including the works, lives and experiences of the important writers. You will also learn the fundamental study, research and writing skills you will use throughout your training and career.

• Musical Theatre History: You will explore the history of musical theatre and research pivotal moments which changed our styles, our approaches to performance and our culture. You will celebrate the work of the writers, composers, directors, choreographers and performers who were responsible for challenging the status quo, allowing theatre and musical theatre to become the powerhouse industry it is today.
• Study Skills: You are taught how to construct your arguments using the appropriate academic rigour required of a degree level student. All students will be supported throughout their study needs, with extra help and time given to those students who might feel challenged in this area.
• Music Theory: This class will introduce you to the language of music and musical grammar. You will learn to study and understand rhythm, time signatures, harmony, phrasing, style, dynamics, and essential music theory. You will also learn the art of cutting songs, presenting sheet music in a professional manner, how to communicate with a musical director and how to deconstruct a song.

Year 1 - Term 3 & Year 2 - Term 1 (FHEQ Level 5)

Through Level 5 you will build on the various skills classes you have completed in Level 4. With your understanding of the fundamentals, you will start work on projects that will allow you to put these skills into practice. You will practise applying your skills in a variety of contexts, allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of the work you are doing, with a greater emphasis on the critical thinking and creative problem solving required of you as a performer.

Acting

Areas of work include:

• Acting Technique and Integration: You will develop your understanding of human behaviour and how you can utilise your observations to create bold and assertive acting choices. You will also continue to look at a variety of techniques and approaches to acting from eminent practitioners, to help build the language and style within your own work.
• Improvisation: Using improvisation as a framework you will develop your actors instincts, learning to develop your ability to work individually and collaboratively in creative and interesting ways.
• Spoken Voice: You will work on understanding vocal function for spoken voice actors, and learn how to utilise it effectively throughout all of your acting projects. Using a variety of established vocal techniques, you will look at areas such as: Support, Articulation, Resonance, Release and Accents.
• Sight-Reading: You will practise the art of sight reading for actors. Using a variety of texts you will learn how to quickly gather the important information you need to deliver text clearly, accurately and effectively. This skill will help you be more effective in a rehearsal room, and give you an edge in auditions where you may be asked to sight-read scripts.

Singing

Areas of work include:

• Vocal Technique: You will continue to build your vocal, physical and mental strength, flexibility and stamina. You will apply these techniques to more difficult songs and work on finding consistency with your technique whilst acting through song.
• 1-to-1 Singing Technique: You will continue to work individually with a singing teacher on a regular basis throughout your training.
• Repertoire: These classes will encourage you to build an effective audition repertoire folder for use in professional auditions, covering all the main genres required in a professional Musical Theatre audition. You will be encouraged to pick songs which show you off as an actor and singer, whilst being suitable for your casting in the industry.
• Vocal Performance and Acting Through Song: Work with Musical, Movement and Acting Directors to develop your individual performance in acting through song, with a focus on professional audition technique for modern musical theatre shows.
• Audition Technique: Continuing to work with Musical Directors, Agents and Casting Directors you will gain a greater understanding of the techniques behind successful singing auditions, including how to cut songs. Audition etiquette will be discussed and practised.

Dance

Areas of work include:

• Dance Technique: You will work to consolidate your technique in all areas of dance, with special attention paid to the techniques and skills you will require in specific styles throughout the musical theatre world, and in musical theatre auditions.
• Musical Theatre Routine: You will focus on a wider variety of choreographic styles and genres than previously looked at. There is a focus on accuracy and stylistic integrity through each piece and you will work towards being able to hold your own in a professional audition context.
• Movement Practice/Body Conditioning: You will build your strength, flexibility and stamina in body conditioning classes which may include: Cardio, Pilates, Yoga and Alexander Technique.
• Swing Project: This project will teach you how to integrate your Dance Technique with your Singing and Acting skills. This project will allow you to build your integrated skills by working with a creative team (Director/Choreographer and Musical Director) who will lead the group in developing approximately 20 minutes of a known musical theatre piece. You will learn how to handle the demands of being cast as a Swing in a show.

Year 2 - Terms 2 & 3 (FHEQ Level 6)

In your second year of training we will continue to consolidate your technique and continue to build on the work completed in Year 1. Your focus will be on developing as a ‘connected’ performer. This means being able to integrate the separate disciplines of Singing, Acting and Dance into one seamless practice in performance. You will identify and work on your own areas of weakness as well as building upon your strengths to solidify your artistry. You will also continue to build on your entrepreneurship and your audition technique and portfolio. You will take part in public productions with a view to gaining more exposure to industry professionals such as Agents, Casting Directors and Artistic Directors, who can further facilitate your development into a career in the industry.

Acting

‍You will focus on using the techniques you have practised from Levels 4 and 5 and putting them into various different dramatic contexts required of the modern actor. Using texts from different periods you will look at how to apply your technique efficiently and methodically. You will also learn the connection between the actor and the director in the rehearsal room.

In Year 2, Term 2 - you will perform a whole play or large sections of a play in a performance space with an invited audience. Throughout the year there will be an expectation of growing independence and autonomy. This will require you to create your own daily practice routines to warm up, exercise, learn and analyse your acting work.

Singing

The focus in Level 6 moves firmly into consistency within the application of technique. You will explore the various styles within Musical Theatre, Pop/Rock and other CCM genres. Using this material you will explore how to use your technique to create accurate, detailed, truthful character journeys in your performances. You will be required to use all of the acquired skills and knowledge to inform your artistic choices and develop yourself as a rounded and integrated Musical Theatre artist. Throughout Level 6 there will be an expectation of growing independence and autonomy. This will require you to create your own daily practice routines to warm up, exercise, build on your core technique, improve your sight singing/harmony work and make creative artistic choices within your own performance work.

Dance

Continuing to grow from your development in Levels 4 and 5, the second year is about pushing your personal limits within dance. You will be expected to work faster and more accurately in classes. The details you achieve within various styles of Dance and Movement will be looked at more closely and worked on. You will be required to pick up audition routines more quickly, allowing you to compete in Musical Theatre auditions on the West End. You will also explore your own body and develop a greater sense of your personal movement identity and what styles suit you and your casting. You will look at how to connect your understanding of Dance to your work in Acting and Singing and how your movement influences your overall performance. Throughout the year there will be an expectation of growing independence and autonomy. This will require you to create your own daily practice routines to warm up, exercise, and build on your core technique.

Industry

Industry classes at Associated Studios are given throughout the course of your 2 years of study. We are incredibly proud of the strong links we have within the wider theatre industry and throughout your training you will come into contact with a number of different agents and casting directors, as well as visiting directors, choreographers and musicals directors currently working in the West End and internationally:

• Casting Workshops: Including sessions with Agents, Casting Directors and Industry experts.
• Marketing: Teaching you the skills necessary to become an independent professional performer including: How to write a good industry standard CV, getting your head shots right, writing to agents and understanding theatre terminology.‍

Projects

There are many projects throughout the 2 years which aim to build the other tools you will require to succeed in the professional Musical Theatre Industry. Some of these are listed below:

• New Writing: Work with leading contemporary theatre composers on new musicals, as well as work towards writing your own new piece of Musical Theatre.
• Swing project
• Straight Play: performed to a public audience in a London Theatre
• Recordings: In your second year you will be given the opportunity to record a professional video voice reel for use for Spotlight, and your own self-promotion.
• Public Production: In your final term you will take part in a full-scale musical that will be performed in a professional, central London theatre, after a production period of approximately seven weeks. In this time all regular classes will be suspended and replaced by company rehearsals.
• West End Industry Panel Week: Level 6 culminates in a week of individual student panels for invited Agents and Casting Directors in Central London. Replacing our showcase, this format allows you 1-to-1 time with a large selection of the agents and casting teams who will see you perform solo songs and monologues, with many of our students being offered representation afterwards.

*please note all course content is subject to change.