Musical Theatre, BA (Hons)

• Learn from a friendly and supportive teaching team who have been engaged in musical theatre, acting, singing and dance in professional contexts

• Rehearse and perform in our excellent Performing Arts Studios which provide six bespoke spaces and the latest technology for your productions

• Musical Theatre at Winchester achieved 95% overall satisfaction as rated by final-year undergraduate students in the 2020 National Student Survey

• Work on exciting collaborations with industry partners who make sure you are tuned in to the latest training for the contemporary performing arts

• Produce and perform a final full-scale production with fellow students in a large public venue

Musical theatre dazzles, inspires and entertains us. But it’s not all about singalongs and dancing in the aisles, there is business behind the show. Musicals exist as cultural artifacts that have been used to divert us from the pressures of the world and to confront social issues head-on using humour, passion, and pathos.If you share the same passion for storytelling through song and movement in the most dynamic way possible, and enjoy collaborating creatively with others then our Musical Theatre degree is just the ticket for you. It combines drama, dance, voice and performing arts in a rewarding and vibrant programme that engages with historical and contemporary musical theatre.Our aim is to put you through your paces, enabling you to become a well-rounded and versatile performer. To achieve this we offer a rich learning experience which brings together technical training in singing, acting and dance, with industry and contextual studies culminating in a number of practical projects. Teaching takes place in a unique interdisciplinary environment drawing on the combined strengths of the musical theatre team and staff from the drama and acting programmes, with contributions by industry professionals. Your first year provides a foundation of skills training in acting, singing and dance, underpinned by contextual and industry studies. You will be given the opportunity to engage in projects exploring creative devising and extended scene studies from the musical theatre stage.Year 2 continues to develop your technical skills in acting, singing and dance, supported by further industry studies and theoretical approaches to understanding musical theatre. If you are seeking alternative careers to performing, you may consider taking an optional module exploring the role of the director and the dramaturge in making musical theatre works, rather than studying dance. You will also have the opportunity to experience workshopping a piece of musical theatre in its early stages of development and staging another piece in its later stages of development in the New Musical Theatre projects. There are also opportunities to study abroad in America, to further enhance life and cultural experiences.Year 3 is your chance to fly. You will continue to explore advanced technique and repertoire through the final year with the aim of building a showcase. Alongside this training you will also engage in a theatre company project, making threads from your study together with the intention to make your own work beyond the degree. The degree culminates in a fully staged musical theatre production. Students who may be wanting to pursue alternate careers to performing may opt to undertake an independent research project.Musical theatre is a diverse and dynamic industry and this is reflected in the careers open to graduates who go on to find roles as musical theatre professionals creating, performing, researching or writing. Others work for theatrical houses that either receive shows or produce their own, or work with young people in education and community contexts.