FDA Musical Theatre

The 2-Year FdA Musical Theatre course at Italia Conti is a full-time vocational course that gives performers aged 16+ a serious head-start into a professional musical theatre career.

This course builds “triple-threat” versatility: acting, singing, and dance are woven together from day one, ensuring you graduate with the technical skills, artistic sensitivity, and professional readiness that the modern stage demands.

What the Training Looks Like

Year 1 (Level 4) Foundations & Fundamentals

In your first year, you’ll focus on mastering the core disciplines: acting, voice, singing, and a range of dance styles, from ballet to jazz, contemporary, tap, and commercial dance.

You’ll also take part in ensemble singing, repertoire studies, scene-work, improvisation, and voice/text training. Through integrated Musical Theatre practice sessions, you’ll begin combining these skills, giving you early experience in “real world” musical theatre performance.

Alongside practical work, there’s a contextual/theoretical component, exploring historical performance contexts, theatre history, and developing critical thinking so you grow not only as a performer, but as a thoughtful artist.

Year 2 (Level 5) Skill Integration and Performance Preparation

In your second year, the training intensifies and becomes more integrated. Acting, singing, and dance begin to intersect regularly as you take on performance-based projects and ensemble pieces.

You’ll also build stamina, deepen technique, refine character work, and engage in more advanced performance tasks. Through these interdisciplinary projects, you’ll rehearse, perform, and apply all your skills, preparing you for the demands of the professional stage.

Extras – Vocational Training and Performance Opportunities

Beyond the core curriculum, students benefit from additional vocational training: weekly one-to-one singing lessons, workshops with industry guest tutors, and performance showcases. Italia Conti offers around 350 extra training hours over the two years, giving you a real advantage in practical readiness.

Progression – From FdA to BA (Hons)

Once you’ve completed the two-year FdA, you have the option to top-up to a full honours degree (BA Hons Musical Theatre). You don’t need another audition; provided you’ve met the requirements and successfully completed the FdA, you can progress into the top-up year and graduate with a BA.

This pathway is particularly strong for younger students (16+), as it allows you to finish full training early and step into the industry or further study by age 19 or 20.

Who’s FdA Musical Theatre For?

This course is ideal if you:

Want a serious, vocational-style training combining acting, singing, and dance, not just one discipline.
Value a structured, intensive programme that builds technique, stamina, and performance readiness.
Aspire to work in musical theatre, theatre productions, or any performance environment demanding “triple threat” versatility.
Might prefer a two-year track that can lead to a full honours degree, rather than committing immediately to a standard three-year BA.
Want hands-on experience through performance projects, guest workshops, and industry-style training from the start.

What Graduates Can Expect

Graduates from the FdA Musical Theatre course emerge ready for the industry: technically skilled, versatile, resilient, and prepared to audition or step into professional performance. The training emphasises real-world skills, from audition technique to performance stamina, and provides a holistic foundation that aligns with industry standards.

If you want a musically, physically, and creatively demanding training that prepares you for a life of performance, while also giving you academic qualifications, the FdA Musical Theatre programme at Italia Conti is an excellent choice.