Musical Theatre

If you dream of being in the cast of a West End or Broadway musical, Solent’s dynamic BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree will help you build your practical performance skills in singing, dancing and acting alongside the academic study of musical theatre performance and production, helping you gain the knowledge to kick-start a fantastic career.

With a key focus on future employability, you will be trained in up-to-date acting techniques, and receive vocal coaching based on the highly regarded Estill Voicecraft model. You will also have the opportunity to develop your skills in related areas – such as directing, theatre in education and theatre and well-being, as well as engaging in extended dance, vocal or instrumental training.

In the final year, you have the opportunity to participate in a performance showcase, providing the perfect opportunity to present yourself to the industry and develop professional networks that will help launch your career in the performing arts.

The supportive academic team have a broad range of international and national industry experience and maintain excellent links with industry, enabling you to benefit from connections with local theatres including The Nuffield Theatre, The Point Theatre and Soloman Theatre. Recent guest speakers have also included Earl Carpenter (Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera), Kathryn Barnes (West End performer and choreographer), Mark Wheeler (Playwright and director), and representatives from Equity and Spotlight.

Studying musical theatre at Solent combines practical performance skills with academic study to help you become a well-rounded musical theatre performer. It also enables potential career directions in other areas of the creative industries. Whatever direction you choose to follow, musical theatre at Solent offers an exciting, collaborative and professionally-focussed starting point.

Our annual showcase is an opportunity for you to present yourself to the industry and develop networks that will support your career development.

What does this course lead to?
This course offers excellent preparation for a career as a musical theatre performer or actor, and also roles in broader areas such as screen acting, radio presenting, directing and teaching.

Who is this course for?
Solent’s musical theatre degree is ideally suited to students who want to develop a career in the performing arts, as a musical theatre performer or actor/singer. Applicants will ideally have some previous experience and/or qualifications in drama and will be required to present an audition.

YEAR 1 - CORE MODULES
The Broadway Musical
Body and Voice
Acting in Musicals
The West End Musical
Directed Musical Theatre Production
Musical Theatre Styles

YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES
Musical Theatre and Identity
Musical Theatre - Live Brief
Performance Techniques
Musical Theatre Inside and Out
The Show
Scene into Song

YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES
Final Major Project - Musical Theatre
Research Project
Audition Prep
Musical Theatre Portfolio

YEAR 3 - OPTIONS (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each year)
Performing Arts in Education
Directing
Music Theatre
Stage Combat

The course is assessed via individual and group performances (live and recorded), presentations, portfolios, workshops, quizzes, devising and written assignments.