Music Theatre Performer
TRIPLE TREAT
A FEW FINAL PLACES REMAIN IN COURSE STRATING MARCH 2010- CALL NOW
ACTT’s Triple Treat is the ideal program for singers and dancers who want to develop their acting technique and their overall music theatre ability to prepare for roles in music theatre productions, or to successfully audition for higher level training. The vocational focus of the course prepares students for the triple demands of a career in the music theatre industry: acting, singing and dancing. The training is primarily studio-based and it focuses on developing more than these individual skills. It is a finely tuned course to ensure that disparate skills are brought up to the level necessary so students are able to be more than simply a singer or a dancer or an actor. The number of musicals being staged in Australia has increased and they demand increasingly greater all-round skills of the performer.
ACTT’s music theatre course is taught by only music theatre professionals so as to ensure students gain the most current teaching available and to begin to build industry contacts. The structure of the course provides a through-line of regular classes to develop each skill area and imparts a working knowledge of the Australian musical theatre industry. Students combine their skills and knowledge with the development of a professional approach to their work. By the end of the course, they are able to move towards their personal career aspirations, and audition for roles and for further training. Each Triple Treat class has their own course supervisor to provide the nurture and direction to succeed.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
The acting training forms the backbone of the course along with singing, dancing, voice and movement modules continue throughout the course. The first semester is designed to develop the student’s ‘instrument’ and by the mid year performance of music theatre scenes, students aim to move seamlessly from the spoken to sung text and dance. Approaches to acting for musicals are taught so that students can apply a reliable method to approach a text, rehearsal and performance. The voice, dance, singing and movement modules form the critical foundation of physical and vocal skills that must be developed for students to integrate the whole body in music theatre performance. Students also learn effective use of the voice as an instrument directly linked to acting and the emotional connection of sound and movement. The singing, voice, music and sight reading skills are strongly developed, along with the ability to work with a musical director. The dance modules develop the student’s skills in rehearsal technique and performing, including developing rapport with the audience.
MUSIC THEATRE INDUSTRY STUDIES
It is important that students have a good knowledge of the history of music theatre as well as contemporary practice. The Industry Studies module provides the essential background knowledge to musicals, composers, lyricists, choreographers and their historical impact. It is important for students to develop critical skills and to understand the process of theatre from pre to post production. Another aspect of this strand covers audition preparation for roles and for further training, and career opportunities are also explored.
PERFORMANCE STUDIES
There are several presentations and performances. These grow in complexity throughout the course and include concerts, scenes, show numbers and as the course is strongly focused on the process of skills development most of the performances are staged in order to maximise the emphasis on the developing performer’s skills. At the end of the year, the students have the experience of rehearsing and performing a music theatre show at Cleveland St Theatre.
‘At ACTT I found myself opening up in confidence and realising that I had something to offer to the industry. I made the choice to start this course and that has lead me to make choices I never thought I was brave enough or prepared to try.’
Luana Farina Music Theatre, 2007 – WAAPA 2008
CERTIFICATE IV IN MUSIC THEATRE (91362NSW)
- Full-time: One year, four days each week.
- Accredited by NSW VETAB.
- Approved for Austudy and international students.
- Course commences each March.
- Entry by audition.