If you're serious about a career in musical theatre, good training is essential to ensure you have the required skills and are able to sustain your voice and body while performing 8 shows every week over a long run.
There are an ever growing number of schools and colleges around the UK offering a variety of courses. Training can be expensive, especially if you have to pay living expenses away from home in addition to tuition fees, and you will often be charged to audition for a place, which can be up to £50.00 for each college. Be sure to find out about individual colleges' scholarships and bursaries to help with fees and check out The Stage Scholarships, which offers free places at musical theatre, drama and dance schools every year.
Read Richard's article on auditioning for musical theatre courses, which was published in The Stage, then look through the websites of all the colleges and the courses they offer and decide which is best for you.
The following colleges offer excellent courses in musical theatre, which we highly recommend...
3 YEAR COURSES
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
2 YEAR COURSES
1 YEAR COURSES
London School of Musical Theatre
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
ACTOR / MUSICIAN COURSES
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Many of these and other colleges also run summer schools, foundation courses and short courses, so be sure to check their websites.
CDET (The Council for Dance Education and Training) are the accreditation body for colleges specialising in musical theatre and dance and details of their member schools can be found on their website.
To prepare for your auditions, you should go over the songs you plan to perform with a singing teacher or coach. You can find singing teachers in your area by clicking here, googling online or asking at your local theatre or library, where you should also be able to find out about dance classes and schools near you.
The book contains extensive chapters covering auditions for musical theatre schools and musical theatre in general, as well as a list of composers whose songs are often overlooked when auditioning. Get your copy... it's on the reading lists of many of these colleges, and others, so be one step ahead and read it now!
Here's to your success!
