Introduction and History
The course was started in 1994, and is designed by Mary Hammond and Karen Rabinowitz with the aim of providing a multi-skilled training programme in a professional environment. The students work with professionals and are treated as a theatre company.
In 1995 it was granted the equivalent of registered graduate status by British Equity, which recognises the quality of the training offered, and allows graduating students certain privileges on entering the profession.
The course leads to a postgraduate performance diploma in Musical Theatre.
Mission Statement
"The aim of the Course is to give a thorough professional musical and dramatic training to students of postgraduate (or equivalent) level to equip them for performance in contemporary musical theatre.
The driving force behind the course design is the integration of the three core disciplines: Singing, Acting and Movement. Taught by leading exponents in the field, it reflects the advances in the understanding of vocal physiology and the research in the science of the voice.
"To bridge the gap between the acting singer and the singing actor."
The Course
Contemporary musical theatre demands versatile performers of a high musical and vocal standard, with strong dramatic and verbal ability, together with dance and movement skills. The Academy’s intensive one-year course trains postgraduate (or equivalent) students pursuing a career in musical theatre. It aims to provide a direct link into the profession, from theoretical class work via practical opportunities. Students have individual singing lessons, repertoire coaching and spoken word tutorials, as well as classes in voice and the spoken word, extended vocal techniques, dance (including jazz and tap), movement, acting, singing, improvisation, history of musical theatre, musicality, audition classes and project work. Students also take part in masterclasses and workshops with visiting professionals, and in internal competitions.
To read all about the course, please download our PDF Prospectus or view Prospectus online.
Musical Director / Repetiteur Course
This course is structured according to individual needs and experience, and operates in tandem with the Musical Theatre course. If you would like to apply, please contact the department to arrange a meeting to discuss the details.
2009– 2010 Highlights
> Concerts and recordings in a great variety of styles
> Showcases for agents and casting directors
> Major productions including Assassins and A Little Night Music, celebrating the 80th birthday of Stephen Sondheim and a cabaret
> Masterclasses and lectures with Scott Alan, Pippa Ailion, Joel Fram, Maria Friedman, Simon Green, David Grindrod, Philip Quast, Neil Rutherford and Jeremy Sams
> ‘Rhythm of London’ St George’s Day celebration show in Trafalgar Square
> Performance with Sir Elton John and Ray Cooper at the Royal Albert Hall
Most Recent Student Successes
Recent graduates have appeared in Wicked, The Sound of Music (tour), Joseph (tour), The Woman in Black, Billy Elliot, We Will Rock You, The Lion King, Rent Remixed, Avenue Q, Mamma Mia, Phantom, Les Miserables (West End and tour), Chicago, Carousel, Oliver!, Jersey Boys, A Little Night Music, Peter Pan, Fame, Jumpers, High Society, A Little Night Music, Sunset Boulevard, War Horse, Enron, Hair, The Fantastiks, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Sister Act, Dirty Dancing, All the Fun of the Fair, As You Like It, workshops for Wizard of Oz with Jeremy Sams and in many national and international tours.
A selection of TV appearances from 2009: Skins, Doctor Who, Hollyoaks, Doctors, Doc Martin, Midsummer Murders, Trinity, Crash, Dispatches, Ant & Dec and Victoria Wood Christmas Specials and My Family.
Some notable graduates since 2000 include Hadley Fraser, Sarah French Ellis, Anna Gilthorpe, Kate Graham, Myleene Klass, Sarah Lark, Eliza Lumley, Rachel Tucker, Ian Virgo and Ian ‘H’ Watkins.