NIDA acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we learn and tell stories, the Bidjigal, Gadigal, Dharawal and Dharug peoples, and we pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.

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CUA50220

Diploma of Musical Theatre

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Delivery

1 year full-time, on campus in Sydney
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Fees 2024

$19,350 AUD
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Semester Dates 2024

Term 1: 5 Feb – 12 Apr
Term 2: 29 Apr – 5 Jul
Term 3: 22 Jul – 11 Oct
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Application Deadlines

Sign up for our Higher Education list for updates about 2025 applications.
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Contact Admissions

+61 2 9697 7600
vocational@nida.edu.au

About the Course

This course is an intensive year of practical study that trains you to become a ‘triple threat’: singer, dancer and actor. Providing the rigour and skill required to get a foothold in musical theatre, the course is industry driven. You will learn from practising professionals and leading tutors from the entertainment arts industry.

You will be trained to respond creatively to scripts and songs, collaborate effectively with other performers and make informed decisions about character interpretation. Training is practical, with an even distribution of classes in each of the disciplines of singing, dancing and acting.

You will train in ensemble and solo singing in a range of musical theatre repertoire, acting techniques for both spoken and sung dialogue, and in ensemble and individual dance in a variety of styles.

At the end of the course, you will present a live showcase of your work in one of the NIDA theatres, attended by entertainment industry practitioners, producers and agents.

2024 dates

Term 1             Monday 5 February – Friday 12 April

Term 2             Monday 29 April – Friday 5 July

Term 3             Monday 22 July – Friday 11 October

2023 dates

The course is delivered at NIDA’s Sydney campus.

Term 1             Monday 30 January – Thursday 6 April

Term 2             Wednesday 26 April – Friday 30 June

Term 3              Monday 17 July – Friday 6 October

Classes are scheduled 4 days per week, 9am–5pm.

The scheduling and delivery of this course each year is subject to minimum enrolment numbers.

The CUA50220 Diploma of Musical Theatre course comprises the following units of competency:

  • CUAIND412 Provide freelance services
  • CUAMPF417 Develop vocal techniques
  • CUAPRF511 Refine performance techniques
  • CUAPRF513 Prepare for and perform in competitive environments
  • CUAPRF514 Refine musical theatre techniques
  • CUAWHS511 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance
  • CUAPPR512 Develop sustainability of own professional practice
  • CUAMPF612 Manage stagecraft aspects of performance
  • CUAACT411 Use acting techniques in performance
  • CUAMLT511 Refine aural perception and memory skills
  • CUAPRF418 Perform solo in a musical theatre context
  • CUAVOS411 Develop singing techniques for musical theatre
  • CUAPRF611 Extend musical theatre performance techniques to a professional level
  • CUAACT412 Develop and apply acting techniques for musical theatre
  • CUAPRF419 Perform in a musical theatre ensemble
  • NAT10914005 Develop Acting Techniques for Screen

The CUA50220 Diploma of Musical Theatre course provides students with knowledge and skills to perform the following functions associated with the entertainment arts:

  • Extend your skills in solo and ensemble singing, dancing and acting.
  • Prepare to work as a performer in musical theatre and cabaret productions.
  • Develop creative skills for a range of collaborative situations.
  • Develop autonomy in responding to and creating complex theatrical roles.

Admissions Criteria

For more information, read our Admissions Transparency Statement.

To be eligible for entry to the CUA50220 Diploma of Musical Theatre you must:

  • Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen. This course does not accept international students.
  • Have reached the age of 18 before the commencement of the course (in some circumstances NIDA may select candidates who turn 18 during their course).
  • Have completed their Higher School Certificate or equivalent; ATAR is not required.
  • Demonstrate a high level of practical ability, potential and motivation at the interview or audition.
  • Complete the interview/audition requirements for the course.

We select applicants who:

  • Demonstrate skills in singing, dancing and acting
  • Exhibit a capacity to collaborate
  • Communicate effectively
  • Respond to direction and feedback.

How to apply

NIDA encourages applications from First Nations students, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse students, and those from under-represented backgrounds, with different levels of experience in the entertainment industry.

All applications must be submitted online via the NIDA website. You will be required to submit a video audition via a YouTube link as part of your application.

There are five steps to applying:

STEP 1

New applicants: Create your application account here. You will be sent an automatic email with your login details to continue your application.

Returning applicants: If you have previously applied (in 2022-2023) and your email address already exists in the application system, you will not be able to create a new account. Please follow the link below to reset your password, using your email address as your User Login ID. Reset your password here.

STEP 2

Log in, select the green ‘New Application’ button and complete the online form.

You will be asked to submit your personal details, examples of previous experience and reasons for interest in this course.

STEP 3

Upload the following documentation to the online form:

  • Evidence of your most recent qualification if you have one (e.g. a school report, Higher School Certificate, university transcript, statement of attainment).
  • Proof of identification and citizenship (e.g. Australian passport, Australian driver’s licence, birth certificate. The scanned document needs to show your date of birth).
  • A recent photograph (head and shoulders, in colour, well lit, plain background).
  • One introduction/audition video as a link to an unlisted YouTube video.

STEP 4

Agree to the terms and conditions of application and click submit. You will receive a confirmation email when your submission is completed in full.

STEP 5

You will be contacted in early November regarding the outcome of your application and whether we are able to meet with you at a callback session. You will be provided with an opportunity to notify us of the best available date and time for your interview/callback, either face-to-face or via Zoom. To assist with your planning, we will publish suggested dates and times on the course page.

If we have invited you, please attend your callback session. Not everyone who submits a video will be invited to a callback.

  • There are no application fees for 2024 applicants.
  • Applications for 2024 intake of Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance and Diploma of Musical Theatre close on 18 September 2023 and Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) and Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services close on Monday 30 October 2023. NIDA may not be able to accept applications after this date, and late applicants may be required to pay a late submission fee of $75.00.
  • There are a limited number of places available in each of our diploma courses. Selection is based on merit; not all applicants who meet the published entry requirements will receive a study offer.
  • All applicants are required to review the course information, including the schedule of tuition fees, published on the course page.
  • It is not possible to provide applicants with individual written or oral feedback on their audition.
  • Applicants who receive a study offer for 2024 must accept the offer within the time frame indicated. It is not possible to defer a study offer at NIDA.
  • NIDA encourages applications from people from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in their chosen area of interest.

As part of your application, you are required to provide a link to a pre-recorded video audition. The following information should act as a guide for how to select your songs, monologue and how to set up and film your auditions.

Your video submission needs to consist of the following:

  • A short, one-minute introduction to camera, introducing yourself and explaining your experience.
  • Two contrasting songs from music theatre of your choice, both one minute in length.
  • Present one song in mid-shot (where we see you from the waist up), and present the other song in long-shot (where we can see you from head-to-toe).
  • A monologue, one minute in length.
  • The audition video should be approximately four minutes in length, longer videos may not be watched in full.
  • You are welcome to present your monologue in the language of your cultural background if you so choose. However, you must be prepared to present it in English as well.

Your video interview should be submitted as an unlisted YouTube video link, in the appropriate field of your application. You will only be able to upload one audition video. Please ensure all required components are in the uploaded video.

Click HERE for instructions on how to upload an unlisted YouTube video.

Selecting your songs and monologue

  • Pick songs that will showcase you and your singing abilities and range.
  • Choose contrasting material. For example, serious versus comic; or classic versus contemporary.
  • Your monologue can be from stage, screen or self-devised.
  • Think about who you are talking to and what you want from them – understand the piece and who you are talking to.
  • Choose characters who are in circumstances you can identify with and that you will enjoy exploring.
  • Relax and enjoy yourself – we find that most applicants manage to relax and enjoy the experience and we hope that you will too.

See our how to apply page for more information around shooting your video - including sound, lighting, formatting & uploading.

Callback sessions:

  • All applicants will be notified regarding the outcome of their application status.
  • Successful applicants will be contacted to arrange a suitable callback session.
  • Callback dates to be advised via the course page on the NIDA website.
  • Callbacks may be conducted face-to-face or via Zoom between October- November.
  • More information will be available here when applications close.

At the callback, you will:

  • Participate in a dance call to demonstrate your response to choreography.
  • Potentially present your prepared songs or monologue again.
  • Participate in collaborative tasks, including group improvisation.
  • Discuss your previous training and performance experience.
  • Wear suitable clothing – any casual clothing that does not limit movement is acceptable.

After the callback:

  • If we are able to offer you a place on the course, we will contact you in December 2023 via phone and email to advise you of your course offer.
  • You will be given a time period in which to accept or reject the course offer for the 2024 intake.

Recognition of Prior Learning is a process that involves assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning to determine the credit outcomes of an individual application for credit.

NIDA may grant credit for:

  • Formal study undertaken in recognised education institutions in Australia, including universities, colleges, TAFE and other post-secondary education institutions, and for study at recognised overseas institutions.
  • Credentialed courses provided by recognised professional bodies, employers and other authorities, where appropriate certification is available.
  • Prior learning, where such learning can be sufficiently evidenced.

The principles underlying the assessment of credit transfer/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications are that the policy and procedures are:

  1. Aligned to the Higher Education Standards Framework and the Vocational Standards for RTOs.
  2. Designed to maintain the integrity and reputation of NIDA’s accredited courses for which credit or RPL is applied and support the collaborative nature of NIDA’s conservatoire training model.
  3. Consistent, equitable, transparent and accountable.
  4. Based on processes of comparable standard and integrity to those used to assess the relevant subject.
  5. That students are not disadvantaged in achieving the expected learning outcomes for the course of study or qualification.

NIDA Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

Apply for a Credit Transfer and/or RPL

Fees

The CUA50220 Diploma of Musical Theatre is only open to domestic students. Domestic students are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.

Tuition fees for CUA50420 Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services

2024 full course fee: $19,350

DMT Application Guide, Fee Schedule & Entry Requirements 2024

VET Student Loans

NIDA is an approved VET Student Loans provider. Find out if you’re eligible here.

Centrelink

Eligible students, who are Australian residents, can apply to Centrelink for financial assistance through Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. Visit Centrelink or call 132 490 for more information.

Further Information

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:

Email: vocational@nida.edu.au
Phone: +61 (02) 9697 7516

Mail:
Vocational applications
NIDA
215 Anzac Parade
Kensington NSW 2033

Further information regarding NIDA's vocational training products can be found at Training.gov.au

NIDA is registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) under the National Vocational Education and Regulator Act 2011 to deliver Vocational Education and Training (VET) services. NIDA is a NVR Registered Training Organisation (RTO): ID number 90349.

As a graduate of the CUA50220 Diploma of Musical Theatre you have the performance skills and theory knowledge to be employed in a range of industries, including television, film, theatre and radio.

Potential careers include:
  • Musical theatre performer
  • Singer
  • Dancer
  • Actor
  • Cabaret performer

See NIDA's Alumni.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for more info about NIDA courses, admissions and facilities? Check our FAQ page for answers to commonly-asked questions from future students.

NIDA is registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to deliver Vocational Education and Training (VET) services. RTO (Registered Training Organisation) code: 90349

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