FACULTY OF MUSICAL THEATRE
“I’m through accepting limits ‘cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change but ‘til I try, I’ll never know.”
— Elphaba, Wicked The Musical
Faculty of Musical Theatre
Enthusiast | Pre-Professional | Application & Audition Preparation Program
Studying Musical Theatre provides a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to perform in today’s musical theatre environment. We produce not only well-rounded actors, singers and dancers, but also students who are prepared to make the leap into the professional realm, developing skills in textual and musical interpretation, character analysis, human behavior and how it pertains to character physicality, utilizing life experience to bring to character work, drawing an audience into the world of the character, musical theatre history and the intensive musical theatre audition.
Whether you are performing or sitting in the audience, musical theatre transports us, allows us to escape and takes us to all kinds of incredible places. Today is an exciting time to study musical theatre. It has seen a huge popularity insurgence and we are seeing new shows that have a positive impact on promoting attitudinal change on social issues in the world today. Shows like Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen are making their mark and allowing performers to really show their acting and singing chops. Participating in a high-quality musical theatre program is powerful and empowers youth, giving them the confidence that they need to explore their emotions and passions.
Choose a stream: Enthusiast | Pre-Professional | Professional
For more information on what stream to choose, click here to find out what type of student you are.
SEE THE COURSE SELECTIONS BELOW.
FALL 2022 COURSES
Year-Round Courses
The Pillars of Musical Theatre
Operetta
A precursor to musical theatre or the musical, as we know it, operetta is a shorter opera that is usually lighter in theme and story. It’s influence on the development of musical theatre is without a doubt irrefutable.
Vaudeville
Vaudeville saw the commencement of the follies style show and the musical revue. Spectacle in scenery and costume, along with the large chorus was born from this concept and the groundwork for musical comedy and eventually musical theatre saw its inception. The performer needed to start to become very versatile, having numerous performance skills.
Golden Age
The time between 1943 and 1968, is often referred to as The Golden Age of Musical Theatre. During this time, musical theatre pushed the boundaries and gained popularity. From Oklahoma! to The King & I to West Side Story, this paved the way for the contemporary musical. The musical theatre performer needed to be classically trained in every discipline.
Contemporary
Suddenly there was a shift of popular music to rock and roll music. The rock musical, the Jukebox Hair, Spring Awakening, Grease, Mary Poppins, The Lion King and Hairspray became crowd pleasers. The demands put on the musical theatre performer continued to grow and today, performers need to be well-versed and trained in all aspects of singing, acting and dance.
What Makes A Great Musical Theatre Performer?
+ Acting Ability
Acting is the basis of any theatre program. Understanding the vigorous techniques needed to tell a story and to convey character and emotion in both words and song are crucial for the musical theatre performer. Knowing how to develop character details, objectives, desires and tactics allows the performers to perform at their best.
+ Vocal Ability
A good singing voice does not make a good musical theatre performer alone. Learning how to act through a song takes years of training. The voice is one of the most important tools for a performer. Understanding the way in which it works and how it connects to breath and movement, having proper breathing techniques, working on resonance, projection, diction, language and articulation is paramount to the performer’s success.
+ Dance & Physicalization
The body is yet another instrument that the musical theatre performer uses to tell a story and bring their character to life. It is vital that an actor understands how movement works and how to use the body in the most efficient and effortless way. The dance demands put on performers of musical theatre are vigorous and extensive training is highly recommended.
+ Musicality
Music is a huge part of musical theatre. Telling a story through the music is the main point of this type of theatre. Have a good understanding of music makes the performer a stronger interpreter. Learning how to analyse a score and libretto is also very useful and certainly a must for anyone pursuing it professionally.
+ Scene Study & Performance Techniques
Learning how to go beyond the words written on the page is an important part of a performer’s job. Understanding the various performance styles and techniques helps to strengthen your knowledge of your craft. Likewise, developing a positive ritual around preparing for a performance, learning a warm up routine, managing nerves and getting into the zone is crucial to the success of a performer.
+ Energy & Stamina
To be a true triple threat, you have to develop proper work ethic and that includes health hygiene. The demands put on the mind and the body in the musical theatre world, dictates that today’s performer has to have the energy and stamina of an athlete.
+ Auditioning Skills
Mastering the dreaded audition is a skillset in and within itself. An audition goes beyond performing the material itself. Learning the various components of the audition from preparing your material and your portfolio, from walking into the room, to slating, to addressing the panel, can all make, or brake, the few minutes that you have to sell yourself.
Coming Soon
Master Classes for Musical Theatre Performers
Age: 16+
Music & Drama for Pre-Schoolers
GROUP:
Kids (3 - 5 years)