Music Theatre, MA

at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Structure of the Course
 

Term One provides acting, dance and movement classes, alongside individual singing lessons that continue throughout the year. Conditioning classes underpin health and well-being for performers. Performance workshops, actor-musicianship and choral ensemble work are activities designed to synthesise skills.
 

Term Two includes several performances of an ensemble production in a studio theatre directed by a professional team showcasing the individual-specific skills of the company members. Opportunities to develop composition, writing, choreography and instrumental performance may be integrated into the curriculum. Skills learnt in Term One are targeted towards specialised performance requirements. An industry day brings students in to dialogue with agents and casting directors at the decision-making centre of the performer’s life.
 

Term Two concludes with an industry showcase.
 

Term Three comprises a full-scale public production of a contemporary work in the Embassy Theatre and the course frequently commissions and premieres new work. Acting, singing and dance/movement continue as part of preparation for that performance. The term ends with a unit which will prepare you for industry-standard audition techniques.
 

Term Four is devoted to the Sustained Independent Project, the character of which will reflect your strengths across research, writing, performing or creating. The research, performing and creating experiences from previous units contribute to this final piece of work also faces outwards to your career ahead.

Offers will be based on merit alone. Scholarships are available.
 

Music Theatre, MA students come from many and diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Combined skills far exceed the traditional areas of acting, singing and movement which, however, remain fundamental. Diversity is regarded as a core ability, not only to enter the course, but also to survive the marketplace afterwards. The course encourages no division between creators and performers, establishing collaboration as the central ethic of performance.
 

You should normally have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field, (drama, theatre or performance studies), though applications from students of other disciplines will be considered, as will candidates who do not have a degree but do possess significant prior experience. Experience as a performer is essential. Entry is by audition; we look for potential and sustainable employability after the course.

English Language Requirements

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to prove their English language proficiency by gaining an overall score of 7.0 in an IELTS test. We do accept equivalent English language qualifications. Applicants are advised to gain this certification as early as possible and more information can be found
 

The fees for Music Theatre, MA may vary from £20,000 to £35,000 annually for tuition fees. The fee's prices may get higher for International Students.

Graduate employment includes:
 

West End

Sweeney Todd (ENO), The Commitments, The Scottsboro Boys, The Book Of Mormon, The Lion King, The Colour Purple, Ghost The Musical, Legally Blonde, Chicago, The Bodyguard, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Exposure: The Musical, Aladdin, Phantom Of The Opera, Les Misérables, Made In Dagenham.
 

UK

Kiss Me Kate (Opera North and Welsh National Opera); Fiddler On The Roof (Grange Park Opera, the Proms); Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (UK tour); Love Story (Southwark Playhouse); On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (Union Theatre); Little Shop Of Horrors (tour); Blood Brothers (tour), Parade (Manchester); Dirty Dancing (tour); Singin’ In The Rain (tour); Calamity Jane (tour).
 

Film

Skyfall; The White King; Perfect Hunch Of An Agoraphobe; Everyone Knows.
 

Television

Casualty, Cuffs, One Child, (BBC); Hollyoaks, The Future Wags of Great Britain (Channel 4); The Girl’s Guide To Depravity (Cinemax, US).
 

Video games

Evie Frye in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.
 

Theatre

The Oresteia, Measure For Measure, 946: The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips (Shakespeare’s Globe); Caroline Or Change, The Amen Corner, A Pacifist’s Guide To The War On Cancer (National Theatre); Feast, Been So Long (Young Vic Theatre); Porgy And Bess (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); Posh (Duke of York’s Theatre).