MASTERS IN Musical Theatre
Master in Creative Performance Practice (Musical Theatre)
A new and exciting programme that synergises traditional musical theatre training with entrepreneurship, artistic research and innovation
Master Name
Master of Arts in Creative Performance Practice (Musical Theatre)
Duration
1 academic year
Validated by
Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Start Date
18 September 2023
Language
English
Programme Leader
Request information about our programme
Our Master in Musical Theatre is part of one of the two specialised pathways that form part of the Master in Creative Performance Practice. The others include is Acting. The masters is made up of 120 core credits which are the shared modules. The specialism musical theatre credits are an additional 60 credits and are made up of Creative Lab and Specialists Skills modules.
Skill based and exploratory workshops and lectures centre around devising and creation of solo and group performance projects that reflect the studies of Anthropology and Ethnography; Structuralism and Semiotics; Modernism and Postmodernism; Cultural Studies; Literary Studies; Psychoanalysis; Feminism and Queer Theory; and Post-colonial studies.
This creative and expressive element of study is supported by a series of technical classes that focus on the integration of creativity, spontaneity and interpretation to deliver an embodied, physical performance.
This programme will not only challenge and enhance the individual but develop culturally engaged and refined approaches to practical performance.
Creative performance practice
Research skills
Performance theory
Arts entrepreneurship
Final project
- Specialist skills: Voice
- Specialist skills: Acting
- Specialist skills: Dance
- Creative lab
This module seeks to develop and refine techniques in Dance, Voice and Acting that underpin all aspects of musical theatre performance. Central to the module is a series of taught technique/in context classes delivered in a Masterclass style with each focused on a particular aspect to enhance the quality of performance within that discipline for example:
- Voice – will focus on the integration of spoken and singing techniques, accent diversity, diction, voice maintenance with individual technical corrections.
- Acting – will focus on engaging with the dynamics and relationships within an ensemble and advanced integration of text, voice, and physicality.
- Dance – will focus on application of stylistic detail and the ability to analyse, interpret, and pick up choreographic ideas from multiple practitioners.
All sessions will have a focus on the integration of creativity, spontaneity, technique, and interpretation to deliver an embodied, physical performance.
The telling of a personal narrative or simple story will be used as material to deconstruct meaning/intention and explore the opportunities to translate different moments in time from spoken description into lyrics, a cast of characters, a dance interlude and to then reconstruct the material as a piece of fully formed musical theatre. The creative decisions will be aligned and referenced to theoretical frameworks/practitioners.
Creative collaborative practice and critical analysis of how research is used in the development of new work and professional standards of performance will form a backdrop to all the learning activities.
The first step would be to submit an application.
Note: You don’t need your videos until after you have submitted your application form.
Video Submission
Part 1: Depends on specialisation:
- Acting: One monologue + optional monologue in your own language
- Musical Theatre: One monologue + one song + 60-second jazz dance piece
Part 2: Creative response to stimuli:
A creative response about 2 minutes to one of the stimuli listed in the audition guide.
One-to-One Interview
Online interview and discussion with yourself and members of the MA teaching team.
After you have submitted your application and video audition, we will arrange your online interview at a mutually convenient time.
Successful audition, IELTS 6.5 or equivalent and, a BA (Hons) at 2.2 or above or an equivalent academic award, or, a long-term sustained professional career as a performer or creative practitioner.
Find out more about our entry requirements.
€10,900 tuition fee
With an additional €500 registration fee and €80 health clinic membership.
€15,400 tuition fee
With an additional €500 registration fee and €80 health clinic membership.
Check out our Fees and Scholarship page to find out about everything about our fees, funding and scholarship opportunities.
The BA (Hons) Musical Theatre programme is a three-year degree with a focus on training you to become a musical theatre performer.
The Masters programme is a one-year programme with a focus on training performers to develop their own work, as well as further develop their technique in dance, voice and acting. Our expectation is that those applying for the Masters have an interest in the creative aspects of Musical Theatre as well as an artistic will and openness.
The focus on triple threat training means students will enhance their understanding of the creative aspects of the art; learn how to devise, create and produce their own works; and gain experience from multiple productions and stage performances.
The MA is suitable for those seeking a career as a musical theatre performer or creative in the arts.
Yes, at least one a week (except during production weeks and research periods).
75% of the programme will be practical-based teaching.
Yes, but applicants should have a strong interest experience in Musical Theatre or performing arts related field.
It would be helpful for applicants to have an understanding of the techniques in Jazz, specifically.
Students studying Masters are graduates and usually aged in the mid 20s to early 30s.
Yes, there are two forms of financial support: Talent Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Talent Scholarships are available awarded to new students who demonstrate outstanding talent at audition. Applicants cannot therefore apply for a Talent Scholarship and if awarded constitutes a reduction in fees, rather than a full fee waiver.
Financial aid is a grant towards Tuition Fees. If awarded, this constitutes a small reduction in Tuition Fees. Applicants will be required to provide supplementary evidence.
Given the intensity of the programme, whilst this is possible to work at the weekends, most students will instead choose to find work during the holiday periods instead.
Yes, the IAB will hold a dedicated Industry Week during which external creatives and industry leaders will be invited to meet students.
A three-year musical theatre degree is designed for performers who aspire to work internationally.
It’s a two-term (September-March) intensive programme to get you up to speed with the technical elements of musical theatre (dance, singing and acting)
