MA MUSICAL THEATRE

Course Details

The programme comprises of one year of full time study. 

Students will be allocate to one of three interconnected pathways:

 The Programme Specification will be available here from the end of May 2024.

Teaching and Learning

• Learning takes place through a blend of tuition, experiential learning and personal study, using an integrated learning model within a variety of formal, informal and student-determined settings.
• The majority of formal learning takes place within group settings in which there is a high degree of collaboration, supporting each other’s learning, and strong sense of team working towards a shared goal. 
• Research and reflective practice are part of the normal working life of the professional Musical Theatre performer-maker, so the programme has been embedded in real world models of professional practice.
• Innovatively designed assessment methods have been constructed to cover learning outcomes at both module and programme level.
• The programme will support skill set promotion, development of personal brand, artistic identity and transition into industry careers.

Assessment activity includes:  

• Portfolios 
• Research projects and independent research project  
• Group presentations 
• Practical research tasks  
• Performance activities  
• Rehearsals 
• Class-based assessments  
• Peer to peer sharing and reflection  

Entry Requirements

Entry to the programme is through successful application and audition

Additional Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have an appropriate first degree (or an equivalent qualification) or 5 years’ professional experience. Applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements are invited to discuss their prior learning to establish their suitability for level 7 study.     

Applicants for whom English is not their first language should demonstrate proficiency in English equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four areas. Trinity Laban website provides guidance on the standard expected by reference to acceptable English Language qualifications.   

In addition, meeting external requirements of UK Visas and Immigration is essential.   

Audition Information

Our audition process has been constructed with inclusion in mind, ensuring all applicants are fully supported, able to engage in all aspects of the process, and needs addressed throughout our audition. Applicants are always invited to disclose any needs, and request adjustments to current practice where required. The process has been reflected upon to ensure we are making choices based on potential ability alongside their current skill levels and demonstrate commitment to our widening participation strategy.   

The audition day has been careful constructed to ensure a full range of skills are showcased dependent on your chosen pathway, whilst watching how applicants work in a team environment, in performance of solo material and when given new skills to perform.   

All elements have been considered to facilitate both seen and unseen work to provide an even playing field and to support students’ cognitive differences such as long term and short-term memory, patterning and systematic thinking. This supports applicants that might thrive presenting work they have rehearsed prior to the audition, but also students that may require further support within the space. We are aware that students entering the audition process are accessing from a range of different educational settings and experiences, and with a full range of individual considerations that may require adjustment, and it is important that our audition process considers the contextual ecological systems of development and how this may impact. Staff are encouraged to explore work with applicants beyond presented materials, changing languages, modes of communication and demonstration to ensure that we are seeing potential and also understanding different learning needs, and breaking down the barriers to access and participation, providing the stepping-stones to equity in the space. Any disclosures are also highlighted to staff prior to the audition to ensure all staff are fully aware of disability and need. Task lengths and expectations are considered, and we actively strive to ensure that we try to eliminate as much of the pressure within the process, aligning with our training ethos. Current students work within the process to support in coming applicants throughout the day.  

The Audition Days:

We want applicants to feel as relaxed and welcome as possible so that they can showcase skills at their best. The audition panel will typically consist of the Head of Musical Theatre, Programme Leaders as well as subject specific specialists from the musical theatre department.  

Current students are on hand throughout the day to support you and answer any questions about the programmes, and what it is like to train at Trinity Laban.  

 MA Musical Theatre: Performance Pathway  

Applicants will participate in a workshop session designed to assess skills in acting, singing and dancing.  Please note that applicants may also be asked to participate in an interview.

The Dance Session

• The dance session will be 1 hour in length consisting of warm up, corner activity and short routine.  
• Applicants should ensure that they are wearing clothing that they are able to move freely in.   
• Please note no outdoor footwear can be worn in the dance studios   
• There will be student helpers in the room to help guide applicants through the session.  

 The Singing Session  

• Applicants will be asked to perform your first-choice pre-prepared solo song.   
• Songs must be no more than 2 minutes in length. Someone will be timing the song . 
• There is an accompanist provided. Please make sure you spend a moment to go through your music with them.  
• Music should be appropriately prepared; Stick pages with tape, or in a book that can be easily turned at the piano and are in the right order.  
• Where required backing tracks can be used. Where appropriate, please provide a backing track on a digital device. All stereos are equipped with 2.5mm jacks and this is our preferred method of playback. You can also use any phone or digital device that has a headphone jack. Any device with a headphone jack can then be plugged into our sound system. Please ensure you bring an appropriate adaptor for your device . 

The Acting Session

• The acting workshop will be 1 hour in length.  
• The acting workshop will involve the performance of your pre-prepared monologue.  
• This session has been designed to observe how you work in a group-based session.  
• It is recommended that the monologue should be from a scripted piece, again no date stipulated.  

Applicants might not be asked to perform all pieces on the day. Applicants may be asked to present further selected prepared repertoire where required.  

Your choice of musical theatre performance is entirely up to the applicant. There is no date or gender stipulation as to your choice of performance piece, however, the songs should represent your identity and be contrasting in style. For example; an up-tempo and a ballad that will allow you to show different Musical Theatre vocal styles.  

Throughout the audition session, the panel will be asking questions, talking about your past training, achievements and your musical theatre aspirations. They will want to try to get to know you better as a person and examine the breadth of your knowledge and understanding about the musical theatre profession. You should come prepared to talk about the music you listen to at home, shows you have attended, music-making and/or dance/acting opportunities you have had.  

Online Audition Option  

Applicants unable to access our in-person auditions are invited to submit a recorded audition on Embark.   

Applicants choosing the online route are required to submit:  

• 2 Contrasting Songs (Maximum limit of 2 minutes per song)  
• 1 Monologue  
• 1 Dance Piece (Maximum limit of 1:30 seconds)  
• Introduction  

MA Musical Theatre: Musical Direction Pathway  

Applicants will participate in a Audition day designed to assess skills that support access to musical direction pathways.   

Interview  

• An informal interview to assess suitability for the programme. The panel will ask questions, talking about your past training, achievements and your aspirations. They will want to try to get to know you better as a person and examine the breadth of your knowledge and understanding about the musical theatre profession.   

  A prepared piece that is self-selected. (4 minutes max)  

Applicants will be asked to prepare and perform a solo performance of your choice. Whilst designed to demonstrate technical competence in your chosen area, we are also interested in the individual and unique performer so please feel free to select material that aligns with your developing identity as a musical director .

A Musical Direction three-part harmony task  

• You will be provided with a harmony task where you will be required to guide and lead a group of singers to learn a short section of a song.  
• This session has been designed to observe how you work in a group-based session  

A sightreading task  

• You will be provided with a short sightreading task   

Your choice of musical theatre performance is entirely up to the applicant. There is no date or gender stipulation as to your choice of performance piece, however, the songs should represent your identity.  

Musical Direction Online Audition Option  

Applicants unable to access our in-person auditions are invited to submit a recorded audition on Embark. Choosing the online route, you are required to submit:  

Introduction   

• Please provide a short introduction talking about your past training, achievements and your aspirations, detailing why you would be a suitable candidate to study within the musical theatre department at Trinity Laban.   

  A prepared piece that is self-selected. (4 minutes max)  

• Applicants are asked to submit a perform a solo performance of your choice. Whilst designed to demonstrate technical competence in your chosen area, we are also interested in the individual and unique performer so please feel free to select material that aligns with your developing identity as a musical director.  

A Musical Direction three-part harmony task  

• You will be required to submit a recording of you working on a short harmony task where you are required to guide and lead a group of singers to learn a short section of a song.  
• This session has been designed to observe how you work in a group-based session.  

A sightreading task  

• 48 hours prior to your online interview you will be sent a sight-reading task. You will be required to recorded and upload it to the portal within the given time frame  

MA Musical Theatre: Community Pathway (available from 2025)

Applicants will participate in a workshop session designed to assess skills relevant to the community practice pathway.  

Storytelling Task with ideas pitch   

• Prepare a short (max 2 minutes) performance that communicates a story to an audience. There is no specification in relation to the audience type, of the mode of storytelling, or the creative conventions used so you can be free in your creative choices.   
• In addition applicants are required to present a short ‘business’ presentation (max 2 minutes) relating to the performance, to provide context and rationale for your choices.   
• Applicants can use this task to communicate their unique creative identity and a performer and theatre maker  

 Skills Workshop Session  

• Applicants will be required to engage in a skills-based workshop that will include movement, vocal and acting tasks.   
• Applicants should ensure that they are wearing clothing that they are able to move freely in.   
• Please note no outdoor footwear can be worn in the dance studios   
• There will be student helpers in the room to help guide applicants through the session  

  Creative Workshop Session  

• Applicants will be required to engage in a creative workshop designed to observe how you work in collaborative environments and develop creative ideas.

Online Audition Option  

• Applicants unable to access our in-person auditions are invited to submit a recorded audition on Embark. Applicants choosing the online route are required to submit:  

Storytelling Task with ideas pitch   

• Prepare a short (Max 2 minutes) performance that communicates a story to an audience. There is no specification in relation to the audience type, of the mode of storytelling, or the creative conventions used so you can be free in your creative choices.   
• In addition applicants are required to present a short presentation (Max 2 minutes) relating to the performance, to provide context and rationale for your choices.   
• Applicants can use this task to communicate their unique creative identity and a performer and theatre maker.  

  Introduction   

• Please provide a short introduction talking about your past training, achievements and your aspirations, detailing why you would be suitable to study within the Musical Theatre department at Trinity Laban.   

Technical skills video   

• 1 Songs (Maximum limit of 2 minutes per song)  
• 1 movement Piece (Maximum limit of 1:30 seconds)  

Alumni Destinations

Graduate Destinations:

Trinity Laban Musical Theatre graduate success demonstrates the real breadth of employment pathways available, with many graduates gaining successful employment as performers, creatives, educators and leaders within the musical theatre industry.

The musical theatre department are proud of the achievements and successes of their Alumni.

Alumni Success includes:

The Crucible (National Theatre) Innocence (Royal Opera House) Tina (Australia) Book of Mormon (West End) Billionaire Boy (West End & UK Tour) The Play That Goes Wrong (West End) We Will Rock You (West End, The Play That Goes Wrong (West End) Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (West End & UK Tour) Six Musical (West End & UK Tour) Choir of Man (West End, International Tour & Cruise) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (UK Tour) Hairspray (West End) Heathers (West End and UK Tour) Crazy For You (West End & Chichester Festival) Saturday Night Fever (Uk Tour) Hamilton (West End), Dear Evan Hanson (West End) Fiddler on the Roof (West End), Ghost The Musical (International Tour), 42nd (West End), Rocky Horror Picture Show ( Germany) Derry Girls (TV) From Here to Eternity (West End) Betty Blue Eyes (Union Theatre) Rock of Ages (UK Tour), Motown Musical (UK Tour) My Lands Shore (Rose and Crown), Babe the Sheep Pig Musical (national tour) The Hired Man – (Union Theatre), BBC Drama, 110 In The Shade – (Rose and Crown), Soho Cinders – (Union theatre) , Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour), Thriller Live (West End and UK Tour).

Other destinations include cruises, pantomimes, devising work. teaching, leadership in schools, workshop leaders, development of theatre companies, producers, writers, choreographers, musical directors & directors.

To learn more visit Alumni Destinations and explore our Alumni Profiles.

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases based on RPI-X.

Fees for September 2024 entrants

MA Musical Theatre (Musical Direction/Performance/Community Practice) Fees 2024/25

Accommodation and Living Costs

This information can be found on our Costs of Living page.

Financial Support

Read about funding opportunities in the Fees and Finance section.

Graduate Employment

The Musical Theatre Department are proud of the successes of their Alumni and have an ever-developing portfolio of employment successes that our students have gone on to achieve. The department work with students to support transition into employment working with agents, casting directors and industry to forge the essential connections. Our graduate success demonstrates a real breadth of employment opportunity with many graduates gaining successful employment within creative roles alongside performance work.  

Musical Theatre Department Alumni Success include:

The Crucible (National Theatre) Innocence (Royal Opera House) Tina (Australia) Book of Mormon (West End) Billionaire Boy (West End & UK Tour) We Will Rock You (West End, The Play That Goes Wrong (West End) Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (West End & UK Tour) Six Musical (West End & UK Tour) Choir of Man (West End, International Tour & Cruise) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (UK Tour) Hairspray (West End) Heathers (West End and UK Tour) • Crazy For You (West End & Chichester Festival) Saturday Night Fever (Uk Tour) Hamilton (West End), Dear Evan Hanson (West End) Fiddler on the Roof (West End), Ghost The Musical (International Tour), 42nd (West End), Rocky Horror Picture Show ( Germany) Derry Girls (TV) From Here to Eternity (West End) Betty Blue Eyes (Union Theatre) Rock of Ages (UK Tour), Motown Musical (UK Tour) My Lands Shore (Rose and Crown), Babe the Sheep Pig Musical (national tour) The Hired Man – (Union Theatre), BBC Drama, 110 In The Shade – (Rose and Crown), Soho Cinders – (Union theatre) , Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour), Thriller Live (West End and UK Tour), Cruises, Pantomimes across the country, Devising work. Teaching, Leadership in schools, Workshop Leaders, development of theatre companies. Writing Musicals; Superhero the musical Written by Alumni and performed recently by NYMT.