Musical Theatre BA (Hons) with Millennium Performing Arts

Teaching

The Course is designed to give a complete practical training for Musical Theatre performance. In order to support their professional career students have excellent opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of the genre and its context. Practical work is underpinned by theory at every opportunity with the majority of teaching and learning being workshop and studio-based.

Practical technique classes in dance (to include classical ballet, contemporary dance, classical jazz, commercial dance, musical theatre genres), singing and acting are taught in regular daily sessions throughout the week, every day for between 4-6 hours. This commitment to physical training is an essential feature of the course to ensure students can sustain the standards of practical work required at the professional level of performance (and remain healthy and avoid injury). These classes are accompanied by additional sessions in body and voice maintenance, personal physical support for rehabilitation and self-study sessions enabling students to focus on key areas of individual development.

Meetings with Head of Department and Heads of Year are also scheduled at least twice per semester in order to direct and support any additional requirements for each student and enable development of individual professional practice as students begin to understand the wider professional sector within Musical Theatre and performance.

Practical performance studies taught throughout the course becomes increasingly sophisticated and challenging through study of repertoire from major shows both past and current of which excerpts and professional productions are staged and performed publicly. Students are required to take part in a variety of workshop and cast rehearsal activity sessions in preparation for each performance and this involves both directed and self-directed study in small groups, full cast and company classes and independent rehearsal.

Major directors, choreographers and producers from the professional world are involved in staging performance works at MPA and thus students are constantly linked to the profession and its chief protagonists. This is supported by a contextual understanding so that students not only know the ‘what’ of their performance work but also understand the ‘why’. Creativity is particularly promoted though student-led performances where students are entirely responsible for realising their own pieces both for in house and public performances.

Whole year seminars and lectures are offered regularly (2-6 hours a week), supporting contextual and professional studies include reflective practice, production techniques, self-management and other preparation for work such as audition techniques, working with theatrical agencies, administrating income tax and Equity membership. An understanding of arts practice in general with exploration of philosophical views from performers and creators is also included to enhance the depth of expression and interpretation in performance. Self-study is also required in order to complete assessment portfolios of work for this unit. At Level 6, students are expected to manage their own project work through considerable commitment to independent study as appropriate to the professional creative nature of their chosen work.

In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled as at least a minimum, of one per month.

Contact Time

In a typical week you will have around 26 contact hours of practical studio / classroom teaching. The precise contact hours will depend on the professional requirements of the chosen repertoire, performances or practical activities in process at that point in the year however, a typical week for students will include: 

• 8 x hours of practical classes (studio-based) in a variety of dance styles including classical, jazz, commercial, contemporary dance and musical theatre genres and body management and fitness sessions
• 8 x hours of vocal/ voice/ classical and contemporary scene work (classroom based) and workshop sessions to support your training in singing and acting development, vocal health and hygiene.
• 4 x hours of professional workshop activity across repertoire, performance preparation and creative work. This will also include some rehearsal for individuals and group working; however, more substantial rehearsal time will also be required when in company and full cast preparation for projects and performances.
• 2 x hours of Contextual Studies sessions to include lectures and seminars on stage craft, audition preparation, professional practice, industry, design, personal development and reflection
• 4 x hours of online or real-time directed study towards supporting and promoting reflective practice 

For Level 6, final year students, at certain times of the year there are less practical classes and lectures, offering more opportunity for independent practice, self-study and professional rehearsal (and company class) activity as appropriate for development of professional practice in a company atmosphere.

Independent self study

In addition to the contact time, students are expected to undertake around 11 hours of personal self-study (depending on performance, rehearsal and company requirements) per week. Typically, this will involve wider reading, reflections and research for wider professional practice and self-preparation for course work, assessments and performances.

This activity is supported through unlimited access to practical rehearsal spaces, library facilities and physical training spaces on site at Millennium Performing Arts. Academic and contextual study is supported via learning facilities including the Virtual Learning Environment, and extensive electronic learning resources. 

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Teaching Staff

The procedures for managing a large number of part-time, contractor-based staff have been in place since the inception of Millennium. As professional performance company directors and experienced members of the industry, our Senior Staff are well versed in not only the operational needs of managing such teams but also understand first-hand, the benefits of managing these challenges. To be able to access and work closely with expert, professionals who are not just working in the profession but creating the work that our graduates will be exploring, both in their professional training and upon graduation, is an essential and integral feature of our Millennium experience.

Millennium ensures that full-time management staff retain overall responsibility for learning experiences and course direction whilst also overseeing all staff allocations pertaining to those who are largely on sessional freelance agreements with Millennium.

The arrangement of the Millennium timetable enables direct and regular dialogue with all staff, whether freelance or not. This is largely because, every day runs as a company experience and it is expected that rehearsal and call schedules may change, move slightly in terms of timing allocations and be responsive to the needs of any performance material in preparation at that time or any new availability for guest staff or choreographers/ directors and MD’s.

The Directors and the Senior Team all maintain an open-door approach and encourage all staff to share their experiences with them directly. This has created a very “friendly” atmosphere across Millennium and supports a cohesive and effective operation of independent contractor and employed staff members.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments in addition. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessment which is graded and counts towards the overall module grade. Assessment methods include practical classes, solo and group performances, on-going rehearsal activities and a portfolio of assignments to include reflections, written work and presentations for example essays, reports, vlogs, show reels and in the final year, an independent project to “define self as artist” (dissertation equivalent).

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary depending on personal choices for practical performance work but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is: 

Year 1 (Level 4)

• 1 x Practical workshop
• 3 x Presentation
• 2 x Practical portfolio
• 1 x Portfolio
• 1 x Critical reflection

Year 2 (Level 5)

• 1 x Practical workshop
• 2 x Reflective discussion
• 2 x Practical portfolio
• 1 x Critical reflection
• 1 x Presentation
• 1 x Group practical / performance
• 1 x Portfolio

Year 3 (Level 6)

• 1 x Solo practical / performance
• 2 x Group practical / performance
• 2 x Presentation plus reflective discussion
• 2 x Portfolio
• 1 x Solo practical / performance plus reflective discussion

Accommodation

Millennium is only too aware of the importance of good accommodation for students. Whilst we endeavour to assist with the accommodation process as much as possible all new students are encouraged to be proactive in their search. Typical options include:

Homestay for students aged 16 +

This is recommended for any student who has not yet experienced being away from home and having to look after themselves. London Homestay have various families who are CRB and DBS checked. They offer a high quality service in housing students from in and outside of England.

London Home Stays: This option includes a designated coordinator to inspect home and family to ensure it meets the requirements for hosting a young person. The coordinator will be the students’ contact person to answer any queries throughout their stay and offers 24 hour emergency support.

House/Flat Shares

Older students are advised to arrange their own accommodation and may wish to share flats or houses. Please note: Right Move, is a commonly used website to help students find accommodation, please visit their website for more information.

Social Media

Auditions Staff operate a Facebook group for accommodation for Students. In order that we can offer assistance, please email your request if you are looking to share a house/flat to auditions@mpacollege.co.uk and you will be directed to this private Facebook group. This is overseen by Lead Student Representatives at Millennium. The idea of the group is that students can discuss accommodation and find friends to share flats/houses with. If you have any questions related to this, please email auditions@mpacollege.co.uk.

Please note: if you are under 18 please ask your parent/guardian to email in providing consent to join the group. As with all our recommendations, the decision for accommodation is the responsibility of students’ parents/guardians. MPA can offer advice but will not be held responsible for any unsuitable accommodation. Please ensure you visit all accommodation, and read the contract thoroughly before signing, paying particular attention to information on notice periods.

Programme Specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.