BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Triple Threat)

Musical Theatre Dance

Dance experience in the first year is designed to provide a foundation for the practical understanding of different styles, and the ensemble skills, which will enable an effective contribution to a musical theatre performance.

In this first module students will aim to develop a range of technical and expressive skills and the ability to function as part of a company of performers, developing rehearsal techniques and strategies for effective ensemble work. Students will be taught by professional dancers and choreographers.  

This module is based around the development of ensemble skills, with a balanced focus on the different performance styles of jazz, tap and ballet.

The main focus in semester 1 is to correct and develop alignment and posture, increase core and upper body strength through the regular engagement with dance tutors and choreographers.

This will be further developed in Semester 2 to a higher level in preparation for fully staged productions in year two of study.

Training is in a range of styles, which will develop versatility in performance to include specific knowledge of dynamics, use of space and the stage space and the relationship with other dancers.

Musical Theatre Acting

The first year of study is intended to develop performance skills in acting and to broaden the student’s awareness of a range of styles, strategies and techniques which they can approach.

Students develop their effectiveness within a performing group under the direction of specialist acting tutors. 

This module is based around the development of fundamental skills in theatre performance, connection to and understanding of self, truthfulness and character.

This will be achieved through acting exercises and techniques, for example, Stanislavski, Meisner, improvisation etc and through narrative and script work as an individual and ensemble performer.

Work in semester two will lead towards integrated theatre performances as preparation for the level 5 fully staged productions.

The practical emphasis of this activity, and the regular engagement with acting tutors, will develop skills in the forming of critical judgements of stage performance, and a corresponding increase – through continuous experience – in confidence in delivery.

Musical Theatre Singing

The first year of study is intended to develop performance skills in acting and to broaden the student’s awareness of a range of styles, strategies and techniques which they can approach.

Students develop their effectiveness within a performing group under the direction of specialist acting tutors. 

This vocal development module is founded upon technical study where a variety of skills particular to the students’ individual voice will be explored with vocal teachers.

The instrument is strengthened and nurtured to support stylistic and dramatic choices which are expressed in solo and ensemble repertoire .

Personal Development

You will be introduced to a range of strategies designed to offer support to the emerging arts practitioner, including models of successful self-development.

This module will help you develop self-awareness in your strengths and weaknesses, and will include workshops on a variety of tools, such as mindfulness, managing stress, nutrition, setting achievable goals, employability and careers, yoga, tai chi and vocal health.

Musical Grammar

This module will introduce, reintroduce and familiarise you with a range of music theories (traditional, jazz, rock) and aspects of musical structure and notation. Alongside this, you will present and discuss your work, both individually and in groups, enhancing skills in teamwork and presentation and building confidence.

Triple Threat Stage Management Project

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles and practices of production, stage management, and technical theatre within a Musical Theatre context.

It is designed to provide both a practical and theoretical overview of the collaborative processes required to realise and run a production successfully. 

The curriculum encompasses key areas of backstage practice, including stage management, costume, props, set, lighting, and sound, enabling students to develop an understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and interrelationships that underpin professional production environments.  

As an introductory module, it offers students the opportunity to explore a range of backstage disciplines, supporting informed decisions regarding optional progression into the Stage Management and Technical Theatre pathway at Levels 5 and 6.

Skills and knowledge developed here provide a foundation for further specialist study and practical application within subsequent production modules. 

Musical Theatre Dance 2

The second year of study is intended to build on existing levels performance and communication skills in dance, and to challenge individuals to exceed their previously held assumptions about technical and expressive limitations to performance work. 

Students develop their current repertoire, their exploration of new work under the direction of specialist dance teachers, and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.

Students may continue their study of dance styles in a streamed ability group in which they have been graded at the end of L4. 

The importance of communicative performance and of an actively engaging relationship with the viewer will continue to be emphasised in group lessons and in formative performance assessment and a more self-critical approach to standards of presentation will be encouraged in preparing students for the assessment task.

Students will discuss aspects of performance practice relevant to their discipline development, and further develop their skills in the forming of critical judgements of performance. 

Musical Theatre Acting 2

The second year of study is intended to build on existing levels performance and communication skills in acting, and to challenge individuals to exceed their previously held assumptions about technical and expressive limitations to performance work. 

Students develop their current repertoire, their exploration of new work under the direction of specialist acting teachers, and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.  

The importance of communicative performance and of an actively engaging relationship with the viewer will continue to be emphasised in group lessons and in formative performance assessment and a more self-critical approach to standards of presentation will be encouraged in preparing students for the assessment task.

Students will discuss aspects of performance practice relevant to their discipline development, and further develop their skills in the forming of critical judgements of performance. 

Musical Theatre Singing 2

The second year of study is intended to build on existing levels performance and communication skills in singing, and to challenge individuals to exceed their previously held assumptions about technical and expressive limitations to performance work. 

Students develop their current repertoire, their exploration of new work under the direction of specialist vocal teachers, and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.  

The importance of communicative performance and of an actively engaging relationship with the viewer will continue to be emphasised in group lessons and in formative performance assessment and a more self-critical approach to standards of presentation will be encouraged in preparing students for the assessment task.

Students will discuss aspects of performance practice relevant to their discipline development, and further develop their skills in the forming of critical judgements of performance. 

Triple Threat Practical Research Project

The second year of study is intended to develop an exploration of performance styles in practical work drawing on the technical skills from first year and semester 1, to encourage a willingness to approach new and more ambitious material. A more professional approach to rehearsal and technical application will be encouraged.

This module allows students to enhance their contribution to ensemble performance and to develop skills in solo and group work in the context of a practical research project.

Longer term planning, rehearsal and preparation strategies for performance presentations will be emphasised.

The principle focus of the module will be around the development of Musical Theatre Lab working towards, and culminating in, a practical research project presentation(s).

In addition, study skills sessions will take place to support the critical thinking and dissemination in reflecting on the research projects into a written research portfolio.

Students taking the Stage Management or Producing pathways at level five will have access to further production work to develop their skills in roles appropriate to their specialism.

The module will work towards, and culminate in a series of weekly presentations in three distinctive areas of Vocal work, Acting/Narrative work and Dance/Choreographic work and an accompanying research portfolio.

Triple Threat Production Skills

The second year of study is intended to develop an exploration of performance styles in practical work drawing on the technical skills from first year and to encourage a willingness to approach new and more ambitious material.

A more professional approach to rehearsal and performance work will be encouraged.

Students doing either the Arts or Stage Management pathways will undertake a parallel development of their broader theatre skills under the direction of specialist tutors. 

Acting Vocal and Dance Development

This year long programme of study is intended to develop performance and communication skills in the individual musical theatre disciplines of acting, vocal and dance, and to introduce a more developed sense of performance context and quality.

Students develop their current repertoire and technical ability, their exploration of new work under the direction of specialist acting, vocal and dance tutors, and their skill in preparing for audition or performance.  

The importance of communicative performance and of an actively engaging relationship with the viewer will be emphasised in group lessons and in formative performance assessment.

A professional standard of presentation will be encouraged in preparing students for the assessment task. Students will discuss aspects of performance practice relevant to their discipline development, and develop their skills in the forming of critical judgements of performance. 

Triple Threat Production Skills

This module is intended to extend level five exploration of musical, dance and acting styles in practical work through the inclusion of new and more ambitious repertoires, performing in the public domain in an off-campus, public theatre context.

A professional approach to rehearsal will be expected and all related classes.

Students doing either the Producing or Stage Management pathways will undertake a parallel development of their broader theatre skills under the direction of specialist tutors.

Personal Study

To provide students with an opportunity to select an area of study of their choice, in the area of singing, dance or acting or a combination of all three and chose either a performance, lecture presentation or written work.

The area of study chosen will then be developed over an extended period of time. For all students this provides an opportunity to develop an individual repertoire, and to create, develop and present a longer and more challenging programme of research work. 

Triple Threat Musical Theatre Teaching

To provide students with practical experience of teaching in a one-to-one and group teaching context and an opportunity to share their experience with a peer group and measure the outcomes of their work against their own planned objectives and devised teaching aims.

Working in a group environment, to gain experience in group teaching. To acquire experience of appropriate and stimulating group teaching techniques.

To broaden students’ knowledge of other disciplines within a drama, singing or dance context.

To be able to be flexible in understanding different teaching practices within a musical theatre context.

To gain experience in creating and utilising strategies in order to teach multiple members of a group simultaneously.