FAQs

Who is the Musical Theatre summer school aimed at?

The Musical Theatre Summer School is aimed at those considering further study or a career in musical theatre performance, or those who already have some experience and would like to attend the Summer School as a way of refreshing or enhancing their skills to take back to their musical theatre society or group.

How old do you have to be to take part in Take The Lead?

The Summer School is open to anyone aged 16 or over.

Do I need previous Musical Theatre experience to take part?

The course is aimed at those who are considering further study or a career in Musical Theatre performance, so some previous experience is required.

Can you let me know about accessibility?

The Laban Building is fully accessible and the course is open to disabled participants. We want to ensure a warm welcome to all so if you have any special requirements it is helpful if you discuss them with us beforehand. Please contact us on MTSummerSchool@trinitylaban.ac.uk

How many people might be in a class?

Group teaching is key to the ethos of the Musical Theatre Summer School. Usually there are up to 30 people in a class.

I am not sure if the Musical Theatre Summer School is right for me?

Please read the information about classes and the timetable which will be updated in due course. There is no audition but you are welcome to contact us if you are unsure what might be right for you at the booking stage. We are happy to advise you via email at MTSummerSchool@trinitylaban.ac.uk 

How long are the course days?

A full timetable will be listed on the Summer School page nearer the course start date. A typical day starts at 09.15 and ends at 16.45.

How early do I need to book?

Bookings open in December 2022 with an early bird offer until 31 March. However,  places are limited so early booking is advised.

Can I start the classes later in the week than the first Monday?

We strongly advise that participants arrange to be in London and at Trinity Laban from the first day of the course to get maximum benefit from this programme. Due to the intensive nature of the classes, participants would risk missing essential introductory work in classes at the beginning by arriving after the first day.

Is it ok to leave the course early?

Some international participants do have to leave to get an early flight during the last days of the course, but we’d recommend timing your journeys so that you don’t miss anything. We are unable to offer discounts for those leaving the course early.

When will I receive full information regarding the course?

You will be sent a participant information pack nearer the course start date.

What about younger participants aged 16 to 18?

The Musical Theatre Summer School is primarily designed for adults; however, we are pleased to welcome young people aged 16 to 18 as they can benefit from the adult environment and level of training.

Do you welcome international participants?

All Trinity Laban summer schools welcome participants from all over the world. We ask that participants have a good standard of spoken English, as classes are conducted entirely in English and no translators will be available.

Do I need a visa?

The Short-Term Study Visa is appropriate if you are attending a Summer School course and you do not intend to remain in the UK to study after this course.

The information provided below is given in good faith and has been carefully checked. However, Trinity Laban accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy. UK Visas and Immigration regulations are revised regularly, and you must refer to the latest policy guidance.

Visa requirements vary according to your nationality. Check if you need a visa on gov.uk.

How do I apply for short-term study visa?

Please visit gov.uk for full details on how to apply for a short-term study visa.

You will need an official confirmation letter from Trinity Laban. You can only obtain this once you have paid for the summer school in full. Please contact the summer school team to request this or for more details at MTSummerSchool@trinitylaban.ac.uk.

Should I book my flights straight away?

We strongly advise that you do not book any flights or additional accommodation until you have received email confirmation from Trinity Laban of your place on the course. Any flight or accommodation bookings made before and after the fees are paid are made at your own risk, and Trinity Laban will not be liable for any losses you incur in the unlikely event that the summer school is cancelled.

How much does it cost?

The full cost of the Musical Theatre Summer School can be found on our Fees & Booking pages.

How does the deposit scheme work?

You can put down a 50% deposit now to secure your place and pay the remaining amount by 30 June 2023.

Where and when can I pay?

You can pay for your Musical Theatre Summer School place through our Online Shop when bookings open in December 2022. Please note that any/all fees paid are non-refundable, unless Trinity Laban cancels the course.

Is there financial support available for this course?

Unfortunately we are unable to offer any bursaries or other sources of funding to help with course fees for the Musical Theatre Summer School.

My payment has been processed; does this mean that the course will definitely go ahead?

We process payment upon receipt of each application. In the unlikely event that Trinity Laban cancels the course, we would issue a full refund.

Do you provide accommodation?

Trinity Laban does not provide accommodation but you can book this as an optional extra. There are limited places, so early booking is advised.

I would prefer not to stay in student accommodation, can you advise me where else might be appropriate to stay?

We cannot offer recommendations for accommodation other than our own student accommodation, which can be booked as an optional extra. Anyone requiring overnight accommodation is responsible for sourcing and booking this themselves.

Here are some suggestions of websites to help you find your own accommodation:

Visit Greenwich has details of hotels, guesthouses and hostels, catering for a range of budgets.

For accommodation in Central London try Visit London.

What should I wear?

It is best to bring a range of dancewear or loose-fitting clothing for the classes. Most people wear soft comfortable clothing that is easy to move in such as tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt with extra layers for warmth. Outdoor footwear and trainers with non-white soles are not permitted in the studios. To ensure your safety and the safety of others, we ask that you don’t wear jewellery when taking part in a class.

What should I bring?

As well as suitable clothing and footwear we suggest you bring a flask or plastic bottle for water. Drinking fountains are also located around the Laban Building. You are welcome to bring a hand-held recorder if you wish to record some sessions and a notebook and pen will be useful for anything you want to jot down. Participants should also bring copies of any repertoire that you are preparing for any auditions, as there will be opportunities for feedback and discussion around audition choices as part of the Musical Theatre Summer School.

Is lunch or dinner provided for students?

No, food is not included but can be purchased at the Laban Café or a number of shops or restaurants in the local area. Participants are welcome to bring their own food to the building too. If you wish to eat your own food, there is space in the foyer hall or outside on the grass. More information is provided on options nearby in the Participant Information Pack.

What is your policy for latecomers to classes?

For health and safety reasons, participants who arrive later than 15 minutes after the start of each class may be permitted to watch the class but not take part. This is because they will have missed the essential warm-up and introduction to the class, which is vital in the prevention of injuries to participants.

How do I get to the Laban Building?

All classes during the Summer School are located at the Laban Building, Creekside, London SE8 3DZ.

Read more about where to find us.

What does Trinity Laban expect of participants?

We expect all participants to behave respectfully to each other, our Summer School teachers, staff and our facilities. Anyone found to be in breach of this will be requested to leave the course with immediate effect. In this instance, no refund of fees paid will be made.

Will there be an award for students?

The course is not accredited, but we provide a Certificate of Attendance to every participant who completes the course on the last day.