Musical Theatre Performance

Musical theatre performance is a demanding and multifaceted discipline that requires skill in singing, acting, and dance and the ability to integrate all three in service of a character and a story. It draws on the traditions of theatre, classical and popular music, choreography, and dramatic literature, and it asks performers to work at a high level across all these dimensions simultaneously. The musical theatre form has its roots in the American and British stage traditions of the twentieth century and continues to evolve, incorporating new musical styles, theatrical approaches, and storytelling forms.

At the University of Chester, this three-year, full-time programme develops your performance abilities across all three disciplines in an integrated way. You will receive training in vocal technique and repertoire across the range of musical theatre styles, from classical Broadway and West End material to contemporary and experimental work. Your acting training will develop truthful characterisation, textual analysis, and the ability to bring a role to life with emotional depth and specificity.

Dance and movement training will develop your physical expressiveness and technical range across jazz, contemporary, and other styles relevant to the form. The programme integrates all three strands through a substantial programme of productions, workshops, and performance projects, giving you the experience of working in collaborative creative teams under professional conditions.

Graduates from musical theatre performance programmes go on to careers as performers in West End and touring productions, regional theatre, cruise ships, theme parks, and television and film. Others move into related areas including teaching, choreography, directing, casting, and theatre management. Chester's Chester Gateway Trust relationship with professional theatre provides additional context and connection for students.

The range of skills that musical theatre develops, including collaboration, discipline, emotional intelligence, and communication, are also valued in many fields beyond performance itself.