Musical Theatre Performance (The Hammond) BA (Hons)

Performing Arts BA (Hons) students on stage during a dynamic musical theatre performance, singing and dancing under stage lighting.

On this course, students are provided with the opportunity to develop technical, artistic, creative, theoretical and critical understanding of musical theatre performance. Students will focus on three main areas of study within the discipline of musical theatre: singing, acting and dance, with singing and vocal technique underpinning acting and dance. This course aims to produce imaginative, intelligent and employable practitioners able to demonstrate creativity through their discipline and beyond. The modules provide an extensive curriculum with strong vocational elements and a contemporary outlook, incorporating technological skills for both practical and artistic purposes.

The course aims to:

  • Foster the development of intelligent performers by providing opportunities for the acquisition, application and improvement of technical, artistic and creative skills.
  • Encourage the development of knowledgeable performers with an awareness of the historic, cultural and social context of the profession they are entering by engagement with academic theoretical studies.
  • Promote the development of reflective performers by providing opportunities for students to engage with analysis, evaluative practices and critical thinking.
  • Produce responsible performers and promote career longevity by instilling the principles of health, fitness and safe practice as a foundation for maximising physical efficiency.
  • Produce independent performers by facilitating increasing learner autonomy throughout the course.
  • Produce professional performers by providing extensive experience of public performance.

Course Leader

Laura Coard


What You'll Study

As an Apprentice Performer in Year 1, you will gain familiarity with established technical, creative and artistic concepts and practical competencies in singing, acting and dance.

Core Modules

This module introduces you to the historical, social and cultural development of Musical Theatre.  You will explore developments in the genre and the historical, political and social issues that were prevalent at the time. The focus will explore key practitioners and musicals that defined the genre and inspired future composers, librettists and choreographers. This module will facilitate awareness of key technical concepts and methods in the genres studied and will outline some of the key concepts applicable to the origins and traditions of musical theatre performance, offering an overview of cultural, social and political contextualisation through investigation of exemplar practitioners.

The module will explore music theory to underpin the knowledge gained and inform your understanding of the creative industry and the skills required to perform.

It will also establish the research and study skills required for self-directed learning. This will include research methodology along with academic writing and referencing skills.

This module introduces you to core vocal foundations in musical theatre.

This module provides a core of key technical concepts underlying voice in both a singing and spoken context relevant to musical theatre, and will enable you to establish a firm technical skill base, supported by safe practice.

It begins your technical and artistic development in musical theatre performance and provides a broad-based foundation for future training, including a focus on vocal anatomy and function.

You will expand your awareness of voice use and skills through regular practice, application of feedback and reflection, and by reflecting on and analysing exemplary practitioners and your contribution to musical theatre. 

This module introduces you to the principles underlying various dance/movement techniques and styles relevant to musical theatre.

You will establish a firm technical base supported by safe dance practice which includes both physical and emotional health, and will expand your awareness of physical and artistic skills through practical participation, personal practice and application of feedback and reflection. You will develop an understanding of posture, placement and alignment, the importance of effective and safe warm up, artistic awareness of co-ordination, musicality, dynamic energy and performance expression projection. The module will support an understanding of the key technical concepts and methods in dance genres, outlining key concepts applicable to the origins and traditions of musical theatre performance through investigation of exemplary practitioners and assessing their contributions to musical theatre.

This module introduces you to acting principles relevant to musical theatre. 

Through tutor-led workshops, you will develop understanding and skills of key technical concepts and artistic development in musical theatre performance and a broad-based foundation for future training, including analysis of exemplar practitioners and their contributions. You will expand your awareness of acting techniques, methodologies and relevant practitioners through regular practice and reflective application, including the exploration of devised work, improvisation and textual analysis, and will demonstrate a developed understanding of the origins of musical theatre. 

This module introduces you to the essential skills and knowledge of an apprentice performer.

The module develops understanding of professional ways of working and skills for future employment. You will be involved in all aspects of theatre performance including performance skills and technical skills. You will review practices and processes by which a professional performance is created and realised.  

This module aims to provide the opportunity for you to experience the processes involved in the realisation of a rehearsed performance, enabling you to encounter the demands of the profession through rehearsing and producing practical work. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In Year 2, as an Evolving Performer, you will apply and develop technical skills, creative methodologies, artistic performance strategies and contextual theories.

Core Modules

In this module, you will engage in the creative process and delivery of a new performance.  You will consider the place and impact of this new performance in society through relevant research.  You will critically examine and analyse theoretical debates that are central to the study of musical theatre and will use this study to inform the new performance piece.  You will learn to apply the research and study skills required for self-directed learning and will include academic writing and referencing skills.    

 

This module facilitates your analysis of the principles underlying voice in both a singing and spoken context relevant to musical theatre.

You will expand and apply your technical skill base and knowledge of the voice’s capabilities supported by your own safe practice and continue to apply these in performance. You will expand your knowledge of musical theatre repertoire by examining exemplary practitioners whilst developing your skills as a performer, by evaluating a wide range of vocal setups and styles leading to mastery of musical theatre repertoire. 

This module enables you to explore the variety of dance repertoire in musical theatre.

The module enhances knowledge and performance skills and builds understanding of what is required in the creative industries by developing and applying technical concepts and processes. 

You will advance your technical and artistic skills in dance to enable versatility and adaptation of style, including analysis of musical theatre repertoire and exemplary practitioners and their contributions, sophisticated artistry and performance skills. You will expand your knowledge of dancing through application of feedback, reflection and independent practice.

This module develops advanced application of the principles underpinning acting.

You will expand and apply your technical skill base in mind, body and voice and learn to apply these in performance. The module will facilitate evaluation of acting techniques, methodologies and relevant, exemplary practitioners through intensive practice and reflective application, including the critical analysis of naturalism, character development, text work, and acting for camera.

You will analyse and debate practices and processes by which a professional performance is created and realised.

This module develops and enhances your knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of performance.

The module advances your understanding of professional ways of working, creating a clear benchmark for standards required in the professional world of performance. You will analyse and debate practices and processes by which a professional performance is created and realised, including the explication of critical theories and contextualisation relating to musical theatre. 

You will be involved in the rehearsal, performance and evaluation of practical work. You are required to take greater independent responsibility for rehearsals and creative and technical direction, and will critically evaluate your technical, artistic, and reflective skills.  

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In Year 3, as a Professional Performer you will take a high degree of responsibility for the planning, direction and management of your own development.

Core Modules

In this module, you will focus on your post-graduate interests and career trajectory to prepare you for life after your degree.   You will explore the world of the professional performer, engaging in audition processes, mock auditions and analysis of the ever-changing world of performance.  You will also explore the performing arts studio and working as a facilitator in the Creative Arts.   

You will be guided to create a personal portfolio, developing a collection of work that represents your abilities and skills for your intended career.  This will also include understanding of the importance of business acumen, as well as self-promotion and communication skills.  You will take responsibility for identifying and planning for your personal and professional development, applying research and study skills required for self-directed learning.  You will critically evaluate established methods and techniques and evaluate critical theories and contextualisation in your research.   

The module is designed to facilitate confident, self-aware and reflective practitioners ready to embark on a range of careers.   

The aims of the module are as follows:  

- To analyse and develop critical awareness of relevant professional skills, leading to proficiency of understanding of the professional world.   

- To facilitate autonomous student development and reflection. 

- To utilise transferable skills of the professional world and to evaluate the application of them.   

Optional Modules

This self directed module allows you to initiate and develop your own performance based ideas and research skills appropriate to your area of study.  The initial lectures help you to understand the research methods and skills needed to achieve the learning outcomes.  After the initial lectures, the focus is on the you to decide on the content and nature of your module, you will propose study and research areas to tutors and will then receive tutorial feedback throughout the process.  

Throughout the research stage, you will critically evaluate personal application of established methods and techniques, and will evaluate the social, cultural and political context, including evaluation of key exemplar practitioners.  

Content for this module will be based on each your main interests, knowledge and skills.  Location and numbers involved will be determined by an agreed topic. 

The aims of the module are as follows:-

 - To accept accountability for the development of personal discourse and its practice.

 - To critically evaluate concepts of professional practice, underpinned by a strong theoretical framework.

 - To apply evaluative research skills and methodologies to study.

 - To utilise specialist skills in emulating professional practice in taking small scale projects from conception to realisation.  

This module gives you the opportunity to research in depth and write at length about a topic of your own choice which is related to musical theatre.  You will critically evaluate personal application of established methods and techniques, analysing and evaluating cultural, social and political contextualisation and will offer a personal critical reflection of the contribution of exemplar practitioners.  

The aims of the module are:-

 - To identify a suitable research topic, derived from the content of the programme of study, and critically review it.

 - To utilise specialist skills to apply appropriate methods and theories to the selected topic under consideration.  

 - To apply detailed articulation and evaluation in method of judgement making.  

This module creates the opportunity for you to advance your knowledge, critical and analytical understanding of the principles of performance, building on the skills and experience developed in the Performance Practice 1 & 2 modules. It provides the essential opportunity to understand the context within which performers work in the professional world.

The module demands a mature understanding of professional ways of working and you will gain experience of developing your leadership skills through being involved in the rehearsal, performance and evaluation of practical work. You will critically evaluate personal application of established methods and techniques, and will offer a personal critical perspective on the contributions of exemplary practitioners. 

The module will facilitate your development of technical and artistic skills, sophisticated evaluation of the rehearsal process,  evaluative, reflective and research skills.

This module is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to transition into facilitator roles within performing arts education. It will explore key pedagogical principles, teaching methodologies, and studio management strategies specific to performing arts subjects, as well as wider professional responsibilities within an educational setting.

Key areas covered in the module include:

Styles of Teaching and Faciilitating in Performing Arts: Exploring practical and theoretical approaches, including student-led learning, experiential learning, and the role of creativity in the classroom and studio.

Behaviour Management and Engagement: Strategies for fostering a positive learning environment, managing classroom behaviour, and engaging students of varying abilities and backgrounds.

Assessment and Feedback: Understanding formative and summative assessment methods, providing constructive feedback, and supporting student progress in practical and theoretical elements.

Professional Expectations and Career Pathways: Understanding the role of a performing arts facilitator and teacher, routes into teacher training (including PGCEs and school-based training), and maintaining professional development.

In this module, you will focus on strengthening your technical skills in acting, voice and dance to become a confident and skilled performer ready to embark on a professional performance career. 

You will expand and hone your technical skills in all three disciplines, utilising these skills in performance with consideration of safe practices.  You will work on integrating your disciplines and building stamina to produce industry-ready performances.  

The aims of the module are as follows:

-           To strengthen technical skills in acting, voice and dance. 

-           To foster confidence in you to take risks in performance. 

-           To further develop artistry, musicality and versatility in performance across the disciplines. 

-           To consider individual performer brand and select appropriate repertoire and style.

-           To integrate disciplines and build stamina for performance.  

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Study the final year of an undergraduate degree

If you have successfully completed a Level 5 qualification, e.g. a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree in a relevant subject, then we may be able to consider you for the final year (Level 6) of one of our degrees. Topping up your HND or Foundation Degree will typically take one further year of study and will lead to a full BA (Honours) degree.

To apply for the final year of a degree on a full-time basis you will need to submit an application through UCAS.

For international applicants, please refer to the entry requirements listed on the "Your Country/Region" pages. To be considered for advanced entry into relevant degree programmes, you must have completed a qualification equivalent to a Level 5 or Level 6 in the UK, in a related subject area

How You'll Learn

An aerial photograph of Exton Park with the text 'How we teach at the University of Chester'

How we teach at the University of Chester

You will be taught via tutor-led studio-based practical classes, lectures, seminars, tutorials and directed study. Guided learning through workshops, theatre trips and rehearsals and independent work on projects, encourages increasing independence as a practitioner. You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including: performance work in singing, acting and dance; studio and theatre performances; submission of essays and reflective journals; presentations; and oral assessments.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Graduates will be equipped with a collection of specialist and transferable skills enabling them to gain employment in a range of professional contexts, including other areas away from performing arts. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study

Entry Requirements

104 UCAS points

UCAS Points

104 UCAS points

GCE A Level

104 UCAS points from GCE A levels, preferably from related subjects - Drama, Dance, Theatre Studies, Performing Arts, Performance Studies.

BTEC

DMM

International Baccalaureate

28 points, including 5 in HL Theatre Arts

Irish/Scottish Highers

H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 including one of the subjects stated above

Scottish Highers - BBBB including one of the subjects stated above

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma (Drama) to include 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Merit

T Level

Pass (C or above on the core).

Extra Requirements

Please note that we accept a maximum of 8 points from GCE AS Levels and that the Welsh Baccalaureate (core) and General Studies A Level will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

It is beneficial but not necessary to have studied Drama or Performance at A Level or equivalent. However, some level of dance is essential and will be part of the audition process.

Audition

All applicants are required to undertake an audition and this is viewed as an essential part of the admissions process. The audition includes singing, acting and dance.

English Language Requirements

IELTS

6.0 (Min. 5.5 in each-sub-skill)

Audition

All applicants are required to undertake an audition and this is viewed as an essential part of the admissions process. The audition includes singing, acting and dance.

Fees and Funding

£9,790 per year for a full-time course (2026/27)

The full-time tuition fees for Home students entering in 2026/27 are £9,790 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

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