Musical Theatre Diploma

Course Notification

This course is currently paused and will not be running for the year 2022-2023.

You can still take part at Central on our Acting Diploma, Online Acting Diploma or with one of our Online Short Courses

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Course Title

Musical Theatre Diploma

Develop your skills as a musical theatre performer with specific classes on singing, dance, improvisation, text analysis, voice, movement, and character development.

This one year, part-time diploma promises to be challenging, stimulating, enlightening and exciting. The course is designed to act as a springboard for those wishing to undertake actor or performance training with a focus on musical or music theatre.

You will work with a dedicated director, musical director, choreographer, and vocal coach working with you to nurture your talents and push each element of your performance. All teaching staff are theatre professionals and work within the drama school sector as well as the industry.

In line with the ethos of our full-time courses, full attendance is expected of all modules as well as the Intensive Weeks.

Course Fees - £3500 (for 2020)

The diploma is divided into three terms. In the first two terms you will work for two evenings and one Saturday for a total of 55 hours a term. In the third term you will work on Saturdays and for an intensive 2-week period.

Term 1

Acting Fundamentals 

You will develop the precursors to acting: relaxation; trust; exuberance; discipline; response to criticism; a playful attitude; and the ability to work as part of an ensemble. You will learn the fundamentals of acting, including: concentration; pursuing an objective with actions; listening and responding; and working from moment-to-moment, using both improvised and scripted scenes.

Voice

Through physical and vocal exercises, you will begin to release your voice from habitual tensions and develop breath connection, support and stamina. You will begin to learn how to project your voice without strain, using the principles of general and specific resonance and develop vocal range. Articulation work will enable you to approach text and lyrics with greater specificity, accuracy and muscularity.

Singing

You will work on group singing exploring harmonies and how your voice sits in ensemble settings. You will sing in ensemble groups and as a soloist within an ensemble. A brief overview of Kodály practice will be explored to aid pitching and then you will explore solo singing.

Movement

This module emphasies the important role the body plays in expression. You will be introduced to a preparatory body-centred methods of training including Chekhov, Laban and Viewpoints. You will learn exercises that can be practiced independently in order to develop your skills further.

Term 2

The Actor and The Text 

This module will allow you to apply your acquired skills from Acting Fundamentals to script work. You will learn a clear process, including active and textual analysis, which will allow you to explore and realise monologues, duologues and scenes effectively.

Dance

You will look at jazz dance technique and be introduced to ballroom dance including Waltz, Foxtrot and Swing. You should expect to take part in structured dance classes, working on flexibility, strength, stamina and ability to learn choreography. You will also work with songs to explore combining singing and dance.

Acting through Song 

You will align fundamental acting strategies to acting through song. You will learn to analyse a song in order to make clear and specific acting choices. You will explore a range of techniques that can be applied to acting through song. You will work one-to-one in a masterclass setting on acting through song and general delivery.

Term 3

Performance Project: Rehearse and Perform extracts from Musicals  

This unit culminates in the rehearsal and performance of extracts from musicals.

The use of your acting, voice and movement skills will be evaluated in both the rehearsal process and final performance.

You will:

  • be cast in extracts from musicals and have an intensive rehearsal schedule
  • be expected to attend all rehearsal and also work in your own time
  • apply systems of rehearsal to your work, learn choreography and songs and be expected to take and adapt well to direction
  • perform the show in front of an invited audience

Please note that this is NOT a showcase and agents will not be invited.

This is a practical, part-time musical theatre course suitable for people who:

  • wish to pursue your musical theatre skills and knowledge without having to give up your day job
  • work in an allied area (e.g. arts management/administration, education and outreach) and wish to gain a more practical experience
  • would like to gain confidence and enhance communication skills
  • are considering studying musical theatre or acting at BA or MA level and would like experience within a drama school
  • enjoy musical theatre and would like a practical experience in a professional environment.

We’re looking for people who:

  • demonstrate commitment to the subject
  • can work well within a team
  • are passionate about musical theatre
  • are willing to work independently
  • show an understanding/respect for rehearsal room etiquette e.g. time keeping and discipline
  • want to progress and learn about musical theatre in a practical way
International Students

As a purely vocational course, students on the Musical Theatre Diploma are not eligible for a Tier 4 visa. 

At the current time, students from EU countries are able to attend the course without securing a visa, but this is subject to change due to the UK leaving the EU. 

For applicants from outside of the UK/EU, if you are under 30 and from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Monaco or Japan you may be eligible to apply for a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa which allows you to work and study. 

Before applying, please ensure you have checked whether you’re eligible for a visa that will cover the full duration of the course (8 months). 

Where our students go next

As the course grows, our graduates’ destinations become increasingly exciting. Students from our Diploma courses have won places on:

  • BA and MA Acting courses here at Central
  • Guildhall
  • RSAMD
  • Rose Bruford
  • East 15
  • Mountview
  • ALRA
  • Arts Educational
  • other leading universities.

Students have also gone on to perform at The Royal Court, The Bush Theatre, and BBC, amongst others.

Course Dates

January 2020 - August 2020

The following dates (for the 2020 course) are indicative and given as a guideline only:

Term 1: Acting Fundamentals, Voice, Movement

13 January – 18 March 2020
Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Intensive Saturday: 15 February, 12:00pm-5:00pm

Term 2: Singing, The Actor and the Text, Acting Through Song

20 April – 1 July 2020 (No classes on Bank Holidays, 4 and 25 May)
Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Intensive Saturday: 23 May, 12:00pm-5:00pm

Term 3: Rehearse and perform extracts from Musicals

Monday 13 July 2020, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Wednesday 15 July 2020, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday 18 July 2020, 10:00am – 4:30pm

Monday 20 July 2020, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Wednesday 22 July 2020, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday 25 July 2020, 10:00am – 4:30pm

Intensive week: 27 July - 1 August 2020, 10:00am – 6:00pm 
Intensive week: 3 – 7 August 2020, 10:00am – 6:00pm
Performance day: 7 August 2020

Auditions for the Musical Theatre Diploma are paused due to the impact of Covid-19 and social distancing regulations. Register your interest to be the first to find out when the course can be relaunched. 

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