Qualification | Degree
Course Leader | Dan Fulham / Bradley Hawkins
Validated by | Pending Validation
Location | Woking
Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time
Start Date | September 2024
At Italia Conti, we believe in providing a well-rounded training that helps students develop their skills as actors. Much of our course is devoted to vocal and physical training, as well as exploring a range of techniques for creating and developing character. Our focus is on helping students work responsively within the space.
This unique course is co-taught by our fantastic BA Hons Acting and BA Hons Musical Theatre specialist teams; an exciting combination that is not found in other drama schools.
As part of the BA (Hons) Acting (Musical Theatre) course, we encourage students to be truthful to the purpose of the work, to celebrate and utilise themselves as individuals in the work, and to continue learning and experimenting with new techniques and creative ideas through the work. We offer a wide range of ideas and training methods, so that each student can construct a personal “tool box” of techniques that work best for them. Our goal is to produce versatile performers who can thrive across a variety of styles and media.
If you are interested in our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Course, please CLICK HERE
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BA (Hons) Acting (Musical Theatre), at Italia Conti, is a three-year, full-time vocational course, for anyone aged 18+ wishing to become a professional performer working across Live Theatre and Stage Productions (Musicals and Plays), Screen, and Audio in live and recorded contexts.
Studying the BA (Hons) Acting (Musical Theatre) course at Italia Conti will fully prepare students for performance, developing their practice and thinking in an integrated way. Through training in acting, singing, voice, movement and dance, students will have what it takes to become an artist of the future.
There is a reason why Italia Conti is one of the most recognised names in performing arts training. For over a century we have helped students to fulfil their potential as performers and to work at the very highest level in every aspect of the performing arts industry. We provide a programme of training that responds to industry needs and current teaching and learning developments.
At Italia Conti, we believe that the best way to measure an actor’s skills is through performance, which is why we’ve designed our BA (Hons) Acting (Musical Theatre) course to be modular and performance-based.
Our course is structured to help students progress from developing their technical skills in the first year, to refining and applying those skills in rehearsals and projects in the second year, through to performing in public productions with professional directors in the third year. Along the way, students also receive input and support in rehearsals from our skilled practitioners in voice, movement, singing, stage combat and intimacy co-ordination as needed. In the third year, students have the opportunity to further develop their individual creative voice and storytelling through a Practical Dissertation, and throughout the year, they are prepared for entry into the performing arts industry through professional preparation workshops, lectures, and talks.
We’re committed to helping our students succeed, not just as performers, but as creative artists who bring truth and depth to their roles.
Students focus on the fundamentals of the core disciplines and skill integration to ensure students can begin to employ the required of the separate genres of Acting and Musical Theatre. Level 4 focuses upon traditional musical theatre material and stimuli to appreciate historical performance contexts and lyrical and traditional singing styles.
The first year of the course also provides a solid foundation in acting principles. Students are introduced to core principles of Stanislavski’s system, as interpreted by various 20th-century and contemporary practitioners such as Uta Hagen, Michael Chekhov, Meisner, and Max Stafford-Clarke, alongside non-traditional processes including Viola Spolin, Sharrell D. Luckett, and Tia M. Shaffer. Through improvisation and text work, students develop the skills and knowledge needed to create convincing characters.
These core skills are brought together in the Musical Theatre Performance Practice module where students will learn to apply the skills they have learnt holistically in a musical theatre performance, with equal emphasis placed on Acting, Singing and Movement.
Contextual Practice is developed to stimulate reflection and critical thinking and facilitate the application of contextual and historical study to practical work training the emerging thinking performer.
Typical projects in this year can include:
Core technical skills classes continue, but become more advanced and more integrated. More sustained and intensive project work is introduced to the curriculum in which the core disciplines become completely interdependent. Students are required to sustain and develop character over longer and more challenging performance opportunities to begin to hone skills for professional performance practice.
Building on the fundamentals established in the first year, students in Year 2 are introduced to non-naturalistic texts and advanced naturalistic texts.
Contextual Practice is developed to stimulate reflection and critical thinking and facilitate the application of contextual and historical study to practical work training the emerging thinking performer, integrating principles of Practice-Research in theatremaking to preparation for the Independent Performance Projects in Year 3.
The course draws together all previous training in preparing for a career as a well-rounded, versatile and highly employable professional Actor and Musical Theatre performer.
Students will perform in two fully staged productions: one musical, one play, and an Industry Showcase. For their independent performance project, students will be required to create a practical piece of theatre responding to a question, theme or stimulus.
Professional Preparation and Employability workshops will hone audition technique in the core disciplines, to ensure that, when they leave, students have all the skills necessary to embark upon a successful professional career. This also extends to preparation for all wider soft-skills and supporting areas for professional practitioners including sourcing and choosing headshots, joining and populating Spotlight, creating personal showreel performance reels and meeting with leading industry creatives, agents and casting directors to begin networking.
Students will continue training in Acting for Screen, Singing and Dance for Actors to support them in implementing professional skills and performance in practice. Regular classes ensure that students graduate ‘match fit’ and ready to audition and perform in professional contracts.
UK Tuition Fees | £9250 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments) Audition Fee | £45 (non-refundable) Deposit | £275 (The deposit is refundable within 14 calendar days of the payment being received by Italia Conti but will not be refunded thereafter for non-enrolment. It will be held by the School and will be refundable on completion of the course, without interest, less any outstanding sums owed by the student to Italia Conti.)
For further information, please see our International Applications page.
Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.
The BA (Hons) course offers the following funding options:
Italia Conti welcomes applications for audition fee waivers for those who are eligible.
Italia Conti welcomes applications for deposit fee waivers for those who are eligible.
“I have just graduated from Liverpool Theatre School with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. I wanted to do the BA Hons (Top Up) in Professional Arts Practice course to further develop my skills for the industry. It is the perfect balance between academic writing and creativity. I already have seen improvements, both in my academic and performing work, and I now really value the ability to critically reflect on past experiences in order to improve my current skills.”
“I have found that my first term at Italia Conti has been better than I could’ve imagined. I am working with driven, passionate, likeminded people within all different realms of the performing arts industry. I find that the course is very tailored to each individual and the content is broad enough to apply to everyone but specific enough to challenge each person within their abilities. I find the course to be a place where I can collaborate and interact with people who I’d never had met otherwise. I only look forward to what the next few months of the course bring and feel more motivated than ever.”
Current Student, Class of July 2024“The course is allowing me to reflect on my past practice, current position, and future endeavours. I really enjoy how flexible the course is, with regards to being able to tailor my studies to my own practice, enabling me to maximise the benefits of this on my future career. I expect my professional development to be impacted exponentially and I am excited to continue!”
“Italia Conti’s BA Top up course was the one for me! Creating a business in under 9 months has been a massive accomplishment! The course really helps shape your future, enables you to meet professional contacts to support your research, and gives you lots of time to understand the area of the industry you want to specialise in.”
I’m a professional dancer but have taught only ballet. These classes are EXACTLY what I was looking for to show some basics of contemp for my students !! Absolutely love every single Video
I’ve watched a lot of your videos and I love every single one that she teaches. THANK YOU. Gorgeous movement.
Amazing class, one of the best I’ve ever done. So easy to follow, thank you!
I’m a dancer in LA and can’t keep up with my peers on how often they take dance classes. This channel has been so helpful for me to keep up my training. Thank you for sharing this with the world. I feel like we are all dancing together even though we are all doing this at different times and in different spaces. 🖤
Best ballet teacher on the internet❤ Great explanation, enthusiasm and commentary throughout the exercise!
18+ by the 31st August in the year of entry (or 17+ for Scottish students).
Level 2 English and Maths at GCSE Grade 4 or above or recognised equivalent qualifications.
64 UCAS points or admission through recognition of non standard entry qualifications/experience:
Legal right to reside/study in the UK for the full period of the programme.
Successful audition through Italia Conti, details of which can be found below.
Evidence in hard copy of all the above must be provided.
After completing the application process, you will be invited to submit an audition tape where auditionees will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Successful applicants will be invited to a recall audition on site. Information about auditions can be found below.
As this is a new course, applications are submitted directly to Italia Conti by emailing admissions@italiaconti.co.uk with the title ‘NEW COURSE BA HONS ACTING (MUSICAL THEATRE)’ to request access to the application form.
Audition fees are non-refundable. These fees act as both an administration fee for processing your application as well as a non-refundable deposit for a place on an audition day.
In line with our admissions policy, Italia Conti reserves the right to alter or withdraw offers at any point. Places on our courses are limited; it is usual for drama schools to make more offers than there are places. Acceptances are dealt with on a first come first-served basis and so early acceptance is advised.
First round applicants will receive the result from their audition submission within 3-4 weeks of receipt. This is to ensure that every submission deserves our full time and attention.
Auditionees should prepare two speeches:
Speech 1 – Shakespeare Speech from the list below Speech 2 – Contemporary Speech – A piece from a modern play (1970-present day) of your choice
We require applicants to perform a Shakespeare speech from the below list and audition pack (of any gender), please note that we annually review these.
Measure for Measure – Act 2, Scene 4 – Isabella “To whom should I complain?… And fit his mind to death, for his soul’s rest.”
Macbeth – Act 3 Scene 1 – Macbeth “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus……Who’s there!”
Romeo & Juliet – Act 2 Scene 5 – Juliet “The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse………”
Othello – Act 4 Scene 3 – Emilia “But I do think it is their husbands’ faults…..”
Othello – Act 1 Scene 3 – Iago “Thus do I ever make my fool……”
Othello – Act 3 Scene 3 – Othello This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,…….”
Merchant of Venice – Act 3 Scene 2 – Portia “You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand…….”
King John – Act 4 Scene 1 – Arthur “Have you the heart? When your head did but ache………”
Julius Caesar – Act 2 Scene 1 – Portia “Is Brutus sick? and is it physical…….. who did hide their faces Even from darkness ”
Henry IV Part 1 – Act 1 Scene 2 – Prince Hal “I know you all, and will awhile uphold……”
Henry VI – Act 1 Scene 4 – Queen Margaret “Brave warriors…….. may sing and dance”
King Lear – Act 1 Scene 2 – Edmund “Thou, nature art my goddess………”
King Lear – Act 1 Scene 3 – Goneril “By day and night he wrongs me………Prepare for dinner”
King Lear – Act 2 Scene 3 – Edgar “I heard myself proclaim’d………”
Much Ado About Nothing – Act 2 Scene 3 – Benedick [Prose] “This can be no trick: the conference was sadly borne… I do spy some marks of love in her”
In a minority of instances, the panel may require a further tape or live-online audition responding to direction
Auditionees should prepare two songs, no longer than one and a half minutes in length, that they enjoy singing and can sing well.
1. One Golden Age Lyrical song (c. pre-1965)
Suggested composers/lyricists can include: Rodgers and Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter, Learner and Leowe, Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Weill, Jerome Kern, Frank Loesser, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin.
2. One Traditional or Contemporary Musical Theatre song (c. post-1965)
Suggested composers/lyricists can include; Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Alan Menken, Boubil and Schonberg, Jason Robert Brown, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Kander and Ebb, Jule Styne, Cy Coleman, Marvin Hamlisch, Tom Kitt, Laurence O’Keefe, Jerry Bock.
In a minority of instances panel may require a further tape responding to direction from our Head of Music & Singing
Please ensure that the recording is a true reflection of your acoustic singing voice. Do not edit the audio or add any effects to the recording in any way. Please record the audio using the video camera device so you capture an accurate and unaltered recording of how the voice sounds in a room.
Recall auditions will take place at our Woking campus.
The Acting and Singing recall audition will include:
Applicants are encouraged to use the same songs and speeches as their first-round digital audition, but are welcome to prepare additional material which can be offered to the panel (although they may not hear these).
The recall audition may also include:
Jazz shoes or trainers that are suitable for movement calls (i.e. no Converse or similar fashion shoes that are not designed for dance). Alternatively, applicants can take part in bare feet. No loose clothing or jewellery is permitted.
Recalls may fall after the institution’s deadline for updating applicants’ status on UCAS, which may result in being ’rejected by default’ on the UCAS system. Please note that the application will still remain live on Italia Conti’s system until the applicant’s audition/recall is complete and UCAS will be updated accordingly.
Graduates of Italia Conti’s Acting and Musical Theatre courses populate the performing arts industry nationally and internationally where they work on Stage, Screen, and in Audio.
On stage, our graduates have been on tour, in established regional venues, and in West End and Broadway productions. Our actors can be seen on Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, HBO, Disney, Sky, and on numerous product commercials. They can also be heard on BBC Radio 4, Audible, and many audio books and video games. Behind the scenes, our graduates have worked on some of the most prestigious film, television, and theatre projects as directors, producers, writers, and more.
The emphasis we place on the ‘artist-actor’ throughout our training, means that graduates of the course have previously transitioned their skills to working as Writers, Directors, Producers, Casting Directors, Agents, Actor-trainers, Teachers, as well as taking up roles in production, or arts administration.