BA (Hons) Musical Theatre

Programme Leader – Kris Harding

Validated by – Bath Spa University

 

Who is the programme for?

The three-year BA (Hons) degree in Musical Theatre is designed to provide individuals with the skills, knowledge, and creative ability to gain and maintain lasting careers as musical theatre professional performers.

This linked with our extensive industry contacts ensures our graduates are set to thrive in the Musical Theatre world.

Where will this course lead?

At the MGA Academy of Performing Arts, we prepare our students for sustainable successful careers within the Musical Theatre industry through hands on, vocational based training.

Successful completion of a course can open doors to many amazing progression routes with previous graduates finding employment opportunities in areas including

  • West End Musicals
  • UK Touring Shows
  • Cruise Contracts
  • Rep Theatre companies
  • Writing and Directing
  • Film and TV
  • International Performance Contracts
  • Education

Students have also progressed onto Postgraduate study upon completion of this course

Programme overview

The BA (Hons) degree in Musical Theatre is an intensively taught vocation training programme for musical theatre. Across the three years all students will study:

  • Full Book Musical Performances
  • Musical Theatre performance skills
  • Singing Technique
  • Ensemble singing and choral harmony work
  • Musical Theatre dance skills including Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Commercial
  • Acting Skills and Practitioners
  • Voice and Accents
  • Devised performance projects
  • Private Singing Lessons
  • Song Repertoire
  • Audition Technique
  • Solo Cabarets
  • New Writing Workshops
  • Entrepreneurship and business for the professional performer
  • Anatomy and Kinesiology for the healthy performer
  • History and critical theory for the professional performer (the reflective performer)

 

Degree Structure

The BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre is taught full-time over three years. The programme is made up of 360 credits, 120 per year, which are divided into modules which are either 20 or 40 credits each.

The programme develops progressively over the three years.

Technical Skill -Year 1 is focussed on the development of the technical and intellectual skill required for the Musical Theatre performer.

  • Musical Theatre Dance and Repertoire. 40 credits
  • Voice and Acting. 20 credits
  • Musical Theatre Singing. 20 credits
  • Anatomy and Kinesiology. 20 credits
  • Writing and Research for the Arts. 20 credits

 

The Performer – Year 2 is focussed on building on the skill developed in year 1 and developing integrated performance skills

  • Musical Theatre Dance and Repertoire 2. 40 credits
  • Voice and Acting 2. 20 credits
  • Musical Theatre Singing 2. 20 credits
  • Performance and Interdisciplinary Project. 20 credits
  • Musical Theatre Historical and Contextual Studies. 20 credits

 

The Professional – Year 3 is focussed on developing advanced performance skills and advanced professional expertise in preparation for launch into industry

  • 40 credits
  • Professional Performer. 40 credits
  • Entrepreneurship and Professional Studies. 20 credits
  • Independent Research Project. 20 credits

 

Teaching and learning

All MGA undergraduate programmes share a common approach to teaching and learning. The central theme is learning by doing. Students will spend the majority of their time in the studio where their skill will be developed by MGA’s highly experienced professional staff.

This practical way of learning is supplemented by lectures and seminars supporting other professional areas such as Anatomy and Kinesiology, Historical and Contextual Studies, and Entrepreneurship and Business Studies.

We realise all of our students are individual creative artists and wherever possible we adapt our teaching to their individual needs and aspirations with all students receiving one-to-one tutorials where progress is discussed, and action plans developed.

Assessment

Each module has specific learning outcomes. These outcomes are evaluated through assessment tasks. All assessment tasks are mapped in detail against the learning outcomes. Assessment tasks, together with dates and times are normally published at the beginning of the teaching year.

Assessment tasks vary according to the learning outcomes. They can include group performance presentations, solo presentations, written assignments, and contribution to public performance projects.

Feedback

As well as formal written feedback given for each assessment tasks, feedback is also given informally during most practical teaching sessions. All feedback is designed to be positive and contrastive and enhance the learning experience.

Entry requirements

Degree Course applicants should have 84 UCAS points including qualifications at SCQF Level 6 (Higher / A Level / Other). Applicants should be aged 16 years or over.

Entry onto all our courses is by online registration.

You will be contacted within two weeks of receipt of your audition submission.

Natural aptitude, potential and attitude will be key considerations throughout the application process.

 

You must be a UK citizen to apply for MGA’s professional full-time training courses and be able to provide proof. MGA is able to accept applications from outside of the UK if a candidate has applied successfully for Settled or Pre-Settled Status. All relevant information regarding our audition requirements will be sent out on receipt of a valid ascertificate. (More information on EU Settlement Scheme.) Please read the information on fees and funding here before completing the application form.

Fees, finance and funding

For more information on tuition fees and available funding visit our Fees and funding page.

Full-Time Auditions

Applications are taken all year round, until course places are full – so the earlier in the year you apply, the more places will be available.

Auditions are in person at MGA campus in Livingston. A member of our team will be in touch within two weeks of submission to take you through the process. Apply now »

In-person audition dates:

  • 2024-25 dates coming soon

If you are unsure which course to apply for, please get in touch admissions@themgaacademy.com and the MGA Team will be happy to discuss it with you.

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Get in touch

Phone: 0330 058 0656

General enquiries/student information: info@themgaacademy.com

Office address:  Silver Rock Studios,  Almondvale Business Park,   Almondvale Way,   Livingston,   West Lothian,   United Kingdom,  EH54 6GA
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