MA Musical Theatre (Performance or Musical Directing)
This 1-year, intensive, practical Masters is designed to train advanced performers
for a professional career in Musical Theatre. The emphasis of the course is on training imaginative
actors who sing beautifully and dance creatively - we believe that live performance requires a
blend of skills rooted in solid acting technique. If you’re interested, you should have a degree in
the arts (or equivalent performing experience), and you will be capable of meeting the intellectual
challenge of combining passion with artistry. You should have something to say about the potential
of musical theatre form as an expressive medium, and see yourself as a highly individual and unique
interpretative artist.
The course is an intensive blend of creative opportunities. Classes will focus on acting,
singing, and dance in an environment that seeks always to combine technique with imagination. The
majority of time will be spent in intensive workshops, and students will have the flexibility to
focus in on areas of particular need or interest. This year, performance opportunities included -
Big Band concerts in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Cabaret performances at the Arches Theatre, a full run
of four new musicals at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and an Industry Showcase in Glasgow and at
the Criterion Theatre in London. In addition, projects will be prepared for internal showings.
Students have individual voice tutorials with some of the finest voice tutors in the UK.
Along with tutorials and project work, units will include:
- Naturalistic Acting
- Contemporary Scene study
- Style & Contextual Studies
- Ensemble singing repoertoire
- Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet dance
- Portfolio Preparation
- The Entrepreneurial Artist
- Individual Elective study
In a rapidly changing industry, we recognise the importance of staying closely linked to
industry. Our course advisor is Gillyanne Kayes (author of Singing and The Actor and Successful
Singing Auditions) and students have enjoyed sessions with Stephen Crockett (David Grindrod Casting
Associates); Trevor Jackson (Associate Producer, Cameron MacKintosh); Martin Lowe (Musical
Supervisor - Mamma Mia); Jeremy Raison & Guy Hollands (Artistic Directors, Citizen’s Theatre,
Glasgow); Matt Ryan (Freelance Director); Robert Scott (Musical Supervisor - Chitty Chitty Bang
Bang); Peter Woolard (MD – Cats) And of course, our President, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, takes a keen
interest in our progress.
Past graduates are currenlty appearingin the West End, Broadway, Regional Theatres and for the
National Theatres of Scotland, Iceland and for Scottish Opera.
We believe that the success of the course depends on small group sizes, which can ensure that
every student is given adequate time and attention in order to make the maximum gains within a
12-month time limit.





