MA Musical Theatre
Course details
Introduction
It’s 2034: the curtain rises. What do you see?
Our master’s course enables you to push boundaries within the Musical Theatre industry. By developing the confidence to experiment and innovate, you can lead the productions of tomorrow.
We have three available pathways in Musical Direction, Performance and Community Practice (new for 2025).
For more information, contact Admissions (admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk).
Key Features
Get ready to dive into Trinity Laban’s vibrant creative community and see theatre creation through a world lens. Learning from expert practitioners, artists, and industry leaders, you’ll write your own story through co-authored and co-produced group and ensemble work. You will develop industry relevant skills and techniques, while discovering how arts-based practice can instigate positive social change within communities and through developing new audiences.
The course comprises one year of full-time study.
There are three interconnected pathways from which to choose:
Musical Direction
We offer you specialist and world-leading training in Musical Direction. Our teaching is delivered in small cohorts by industry professionals who will give you the insight you’ll need to steer your career. The pathway will extend your portfolio beyond traditional musical direction training, allowing you to develop a broad, industry-relevant skillset. It is centred around the development of performance leadership, creativity, and enterprise. Our course works across all of Trinity Laban’s sites, offering you the opportunity to engage with the artistic community across different departments.
Performance
Shine centre stage at Trinity Laban: we offer you specialist and world-leading training in Performance. Our teaching is delivered in cohorts of 25, centring around the development of creativity, performance, and enterprise. The curriculum focuses on honing your professional skillset while extending and interrogating theatrical boundaries. You will be led by expert practitioners, artists, and industry leaders. From new Musical Theatre writing to standard book-based musicals and reimagined work, our course will enable you to direct the spotlight.
Community Practice
Redefine excellence in musical theatre by joining our Community Practice pathway. The curriculum develops art-based community practice that will allow you to become the creative theatre maker and performer of tomorrow. We focus on three strands of creative practice: creator, performer, and educator. Our new framework reinvents the model of ‘triple threat’ within the industry. You will develop theoretical and practice-based research that will inform new performance experiences and community outreach.
Key Facts
- UCAS
- 231F
- Location
- Laurie Grove / Laban Building / King Charles Court
- Duration
- 1 year (full-time)
- Start Date
- September
Fees
Audition fees
Please note that there is an audition fee for this course of £95 (for 2025 entry). You will also need to pay the UCAS Conservatoires administration fee of £28.50 for the 2025 entry cycle.
2025-26
- Audition fee: All programmes except BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance and BA Music Performance and Industry
- £95 (for 2025 entry)
- Info 25/26
- Fees represent 2025/26 year only, programmes with more than one year are subject to fee increases after the first year
- MA Musical Theatre: Performance/Performing Arts in the Community/Musical Direction (Full-time)
- Home £15,450 International £24,720
2024-25
- Info 24/25
- Fees represent 2024/25 year only, programmes with more than one year are subject to fee increases after the first year
- MA Musical Theatre: Performance/Performing Arts in the Community/Musical Direction (Full-time)
- Home £15,000 International £24,000
Downloads
Key Dates
-
Welcome Week
-
Autumn Term
-
Activities Week
-
Spring Term
-
Activities Week
-
Summer Term
-
Activities Week
Detailed Information
MA Musical Theatre – Level 7
Musical Direction Pathway |
Performance Pathway |
Community Pathway |
Applying Musical Direction Skills in Performance (Core) 60 Credits |
Applying Musical Theatre Skills in Performance (Core) 60 Credits |
Applying Musical Theatre Skills in Community Performance settings (Core) 60 Credits |
Developing Techniques for musical direction pathways (Core) 40 Credits |
Developing techniques for performance pathways (Core) 40 Credits |
Developing techniques for community practice pathways (Core) 40 Credits |
Developing a Professional Portfolio (Core) 40 Credits |
Developing a Professional Portfolio (Core) 40 Credits |
Developing a Professional Portfolio (Core) 40 Credits |
Creative Research Project (Core) 40 Credits |
Creative Research Project (Core) 40 Credits |
Creative Research Project (Core) 40 Credits |
Teaching and Learning
- You will learn through a blend of tuition, experiential learning, and personal study in formal, informal, and student-determined settings.
- Most formal learning takes place within collaborative group settings. You will have a strong sense of team, working towards a shared goal.
- Research and reflective practice are part of Musical Theatre professional practice, so this is integrated into your learning.
- Innovatively designed assessment methods cover learning outcomes at module and course level.
- The course will support skillset promotion, development of personal brand, artistic identity, and transition into industry careers.
Assessment activity
- Portfolios
- Research projects and independent research project
- Group presentations
- Practical research tasks
- Performance activities
- Rehearsals
- Class-based assessments
- Peer-to-peer sharing and reflection
TERM 1: Weeks 1–5, Skills and Academic
You are expected to make use of the resources (studios and the library) for personal rehearsal and preparation during timetable gaps.
Acting (Acting – text-based and improvisation work, Voice & Speech): 7.5 hours
Singing (Acting Through Song, Ensemble Singing, Singing Technique, Vocal Repertoire): 5.5 hours
This is in addition to 45 minutes per week of one-to-one singing.
Dance (Ballet Stretch, Jazz – varying styles – Tap): 7 hours
Developing a Professional Portfolio: 2.5 hours
A series of workshops that will develop your knowledge, understanding, and skills relating to the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. You will enhance your understanding of the musical theatre industry and the wider commercial and business opportunities it can offer.
Creative Research: 3 hours
The Creative Research Project allows you to extend and apply your research skills, both practice-based and text-based. This module focuses on the creation and development of an independent research project.
Weeks 6–10, Performance Project
New Writing: This is a five-week project which culminates in a concert style performance in our studio theatre. You will work with writers and creatives to rehearse and perform new musical theatre pieces.
TERM 2: Weeks 1–5, Skills and Academic
As per weeks 1–5 of Term 1. As part of the Developing a Professional Portfolio module, you will participate in our CoLab festival. You will experience and reflect upon your emerging identity as a creative artist while working with others in a collaborative process.
Weeks 6–10, Performance Project
New, Old, and Re-imagined: A five-week project which culminates in a performance of musical theatre pieces taken from the cannon. You will work with creatives to rehearse, update, and perform musical theatre excerpts.
TERM 3: Weeks 1–5, Performance Project
A five-week project during which you will work with a creative team to rehearse and perform a full-scale musical.
Weeks 6–10, Showreel and Industry Engagement
A five-week project during which you will work with a creative team to rehearse and produce content for your own personal showreel. During this time, you’ll also be able to meet with agents and other industry professionals.
Between the end of Term 3 and the beginning of September, you will have access to studio space to complete your Creative Research project.
Entry Requirements
Entry to the course is through successful application and audition.
Additional Entry Requirements
- An appropriate first degree (or an equivalent qualification) or 5 years’ professional experience.
- Applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements are invited to discuss their prior learning to establish their suitability for level 7 study.
- Applicants who do not hold English as their first language should demonstrate proficiency in English equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four areas. Meeting external requirements of UK Visas and Immigration is essential.
For detailed information on audition requirements, please see our Musical Theatre Auditions page.
Staff
Programme Leaders
Victoria Stretton
Head of Musical Theatre
Dr Lyndsay Barnbrook
Programme Leader
Rhona McGregor
Singing Lead
Verity Quade
Music Lead
Dr Helen Evans
Acting Lead