Kick-start your career in music theatre with NIDA's year-long music theatre course
Entry to the Diploma of Music Theatre (formerly Singer Dancer Actor) is by audition only, held in November each year at NIDA in Sydney and also in Melbourne and Brisbane. Applications for 2010 are now open and will close on 6 November 2009.
The Diploma of Music Theatre is an intensive year of training aimed at enabling students to achieve the goal of being a ‘triple threat’ -a singer, dancer, actor- the ultimate music performer.
The philosophy of the course is holistic and the skills are integrated. All three areas of training – singing, dancing and acting- fundamentally come from an acting base; everything is about story telling. Students are encouraged in all skills areas to work imaginatively, expressively and intelligently with generosity and integrity. The course is creative in its teaching and extremely focused.
The primary criterion for admission to the music theatre course is evidence of an applicant’s talent and his / her potential for making a career as a professional music theatre performer in the arts entertainment industry.
Students undertake skills classes in a variety of different dance styles, for example ballet, tap, jazz, music theatre, ballroom, and physical theatre. They study improvisation and acting with voice and movement classes, and undertake singing classes both as an ensemble and in solo tutorials. The students also have classes in music theory, music theatre history, general studies and history of theatre.
Students work on a group self devised piece, music theatre scenes, master classes and ensemble pieces, which give them a chance to explore audition practice and storytelling through song. The year culminates in a production showcase attended by music theatre practitioners, producers and agents. Successful completion of the course leads to a nationally recognised qualification.
The Diploma of Music Theatre is structured to reflect industry practice as much as possible within its training. Students are encouraged to develop professional behaviour and an understanding of the industry and its expectations. Through the tutors, who are industry professionals and practitioners themselves, students are able to gain the most up to date understanding of the industry. Diploma of Music Theatre students also have the opportunity to interact informally with students in other courses at NIDA and benefit from the overall creative environment.
Graduates
Recent graduates have found employment in productions such as Jersey Boys, Avenue Q, Billy Elliot, Jerry Springer The Opera, Shane Warne The Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, Little Women, Jekyll and Hyde, Cats – North American and Asian Tours, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, High School Musical and Miss Saigon.
One of our graduates has recently played Marius in Les Miserables on the West End (London); another was in the Drowsey Chaperone with Elaine Paige also on the West End. 2006 graduate Steven Nicholson is the newest member of Hi-5 and is currently filming their next TV series. Graduate Belinda Wollaston has also recently starred at the State Theatre in Respect, a music journey of women, previously starred in Titanic and was in Shane Warne The Musical.
To check out what Singer Dancer Actor graduate (2000) Daniel Scott is doing now, click here. To catch up on Belinda Wollaston's (2001) achievements click here. To check out other graduate news click here. 2008 student Holly Schultz came all the way from Tamworth and enjoyed her graduating showcase. Click here to read about it.
Core Tutor
Avigail Herman is the core tutor for this course. Avigail is well-known in the music theatre industry as a performer as well as a musical director and vocal coach. Participants also train with many guests from the music theatre industry.
Practical Information
Venue: NIDA, 215 Anzac Parade,
Kensington, Sydney, Australia
Dates: Course commences 1 February 2010
Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old
Duration: 1 year
Term Dates for 2010:
Term 1: 1 February to 27 March (8 weeks)
Term 2: 19 April to 3 July (11 weeks)
Term 3: 19 July to 28 August (6 weeks)
Term 4: 6 September to 13 November (10 Weeks)
NB: Term dates may vary and will be confirmed at the time of offers of a position in the course.
Times for 2010:
Monday to Fridays, 6.30pm-9.30pm and Saturdays, 10.00am-5.00pm
Additional classes in History of Theatre,General Studies, Music Theory and individual singing tutorials take weekly contact hours to approximately 26.
The commitment to this course includes attendance at all classes and rehearsals. In the final two weeks of Term 3 additional rehearsal time will be arranged for the final performance.
Fees
The fee for 2010 is $14,900 including GST payable over 5 instalments of $2,980.
Fees must be paid in advance with a commitment to continue the course for the duration of the year. There will be no refund of fees once the term commences.
Scholarships
There are some scholarship funds available for Diploma of Music Theatre students. Please contact the NIDA Open Program for further details.
Contact NIDA Open Program
Ph: 02 9697 7626
Email: contact form
Course Content Diploma of Music Theatre
Applications/Auditions Diploma of Music Theatre
Download Additional Information
Part time Courses 2010 PDF
Application Form PDF
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