MFA Musical Theatre

Year 1 will consist of taught classes and workshops which will typically run Tuesday - Saturday from 9:00am – 5:30pm or from 2:00pm - 9:00pm (on Thursdays). Students may be called at different times for rehearsals in the lead up to public performances and showcases.

Year 2 teaching will take place in the evening, typically between 6pm – 9pm [UK time]. Much of the learning in this year takes the form of independent study.

• Acting Techniques (20 credits)
• Vocal Techniques and Musicianship (20 credits) 
• Dance & Movement Techniques (20 credits)  
• Musical Theatre – Creation and Performance for Stage & Screen (60 credits)
• The Professional Repertoire (20 credits)
• Public Performance  (40 credits)

Acting Techniques (Terms 1&2)  

In this module, you will:

• Take part in classes and workshops in which you will develop and apply skills required to approach text, and build character across a range of styles, periods and genre.  
• Practically explore acting techniques developed by a range of key practitioners including Stanislavski, Hagen, Meisner, and Laban. 
• Critically reflect on process and preparation. 
• Apply reflective practice to the creation of character.  
• Explore inner psychology and outer expression.  
• Be taught by leading acting practitioners. 

And will be continually assessed across the first two terms of study, and assessed  on in-house performances including:  

• Duologue scenes from contemporary plays
• ‘Book scenes’ from works of Musical Theatre 
• Performance of a classical sonnet. 

Vocal Techniques and Musicianship (Terms 1&2)  

In this module, you will: 

• Take part in classes and workshops in which you will develop the vocal instrument as fit, strong and flexible, in order to liberate the voice as an expressive and responsive channel for the emotional and intellectual needs of the actor, the character, and the text. 
• Practically explore singing technique in groups, and through regular one to one singing classes.  
• Develop an independent vocal warm-up, under the instruction of industry specialists.  
• Improve musicianship, and practically explore music theory.  

Work with expert Musical Theatre practitioners, on developing acting through song skills.

You will be assessed continually across classes in the first two terms of study, and on the following performances:  

• Performance of a Musical Theatre Soliloquy Song 
• Performance of popular songs in a range of genre 
• Singing as part of a Musical Theatre ensemble.  
• Political Speech

Dance & Movement Techniques (Terms 1&2)  

In this module, you will: 

• Take part in classes and workshops in which you will explore a range of dance styles including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary dance, and Hip-Hop and associated styles. 
• Develop physical fitness, strength, stamina and muscle memory. 
• Work with leading Musical Theatre choreographers on the development of embodied technical and artistic skills. 
• Develop your flexibility, strength, precision, artistry, strength, stamina, postural awareness, and extension. 
• Explore the creation of character through movement practices such as clowning. 
• Explore a range of disciplines and techniques for the physicalisation of character, which will enable you to integrate perceptible physical life in support of their characterisations. 

You will be assessed continually across classes in the first two terms of study, and on the following performances: 

• Performance of solo dance pieces.   
• Performance as part of an of ensemble dance project.  
• Performance of a movement piece.  

Musical Theatre – Creation and Performance for Stage & Screen (Terms 1 & 2)

In this module you will 

• Draw together skills across dance, singing, and acting disciplines for rehearsal and performance.  
• Become a ‘triple-threat’ performer with a strong foundation in acting skills.  
• Develop research skills.  
• Deepen your understanding of the historical and political contexts for works of Musical Theatre.
• ​​​Develop technical skills for performance of Musical Theatre across different media including screen, stage, and audio.

You will be assessed on the process and performance of these projects:

• Musical Theatre Song & Dance project.  
• New Musical Theatre recording project 
• Musical Theatre on Screen project.

The Professional Repertoire (Term 3)

In this module you will:

• Become ‘audition ready’ 
• Work with industry leading repertoire coach, on the development of a bespoke repertoire of solo songs.  
• Deepen independent research skills.  
• Become an expert on your own Musical Theatre performance practice.  

You will be assessed on: 

• A practical 'Mock Audition’ exam.

Public Performance (Terms 3 & 4)  

In this module you will:  

• Perform as part of an industry-facing Showcase in London (and in New York and Los Angeles, if you are eligible to work in the United States of America)
• Perform as part of a public-facing Musical production
• Perform as part of an Edinburgh Fringe Festival project.  

Pedagogy for Performance (30 credits)
Term 5

• This module is designed to combine tutor-led seminars with as well as self-directed study. You will have a large degree of independence.  
• You will have the opportunity to extend your knowledge and understanding of theory and practice of teaching as it relates to the selected field of study,  
• You will carry out an investigative project into a related area that you have not explored in depth elsewhere on the course. You will agree the balance of a portfolio assignment with your supervisor. (Supervisors will ensure that sufficient resources are available, to enable you to carry out the required research before agreeing the scope of the project.)
• ​​​​​Additionally you will receive an LSPP accredited qualification in teaching for LAMDA examinations  ​​​

New Classics Project (30 credits)
Term 6

In this module students will: 

• Work independently, under the supervision of an expert tutor. 
• Explore and evaluate key trends in contemporary presentation of Musical Theatre 
• Explore and evaluate the approach of different contemporary directors, choreographers, and theatre makers  
• Explore the use of new media and technologies in creating different audience experiences in Musical Theatre performance 
• Apply their knowledge in creating their own artistic proposal for a new presentation of a musical adaptation of a classical text, or a twentieth century work of Musical Theatre.  

This course is designed for applicants who wish to pursue and commit to a professional career as a Musical Theatre actor.

Applicants will have professional or amateur acting, and/or singing, and/or dance performance experience and knowledge and interest in Musical Theatre. 

You may wish to consider this course as opposed to the MA Musical Theatre*, if you would like to remain in London for longer or if you wish to consider teaching or directing with a widely recognised MFA qualification.

Essential

• Basic black sweatshirt
• Basic black T-Shirt
• Black sweatpants/Jogging bottoms
• Black dancewear (including black leggings, yoga pants, or footless tights)
• Yoga mat – for hygiene reasons, we recommend that students purchase their own
• Canvas ballet shoes
• Tap shoes
• Dance belt or jockstrap as needed
• Sports bra as needed
• Trainers
• Stationary: notebooks, pens & pencils.
• A4 display folder (for sheet music)

Highly recommended

For rehearsal/character work

• Black trousers and/or skirt. Skirt should be floor length and loose. Skirts may also be needed for certain dance lessons.
• White shirt
• Black shoes with a solid heel (not trainers) or Black character shoes
• Laptop/tablet
• Wi-Fi

Additional recommended equipment

• Resistance band
• Steam Inhaler Cup
• Vocal Tube
• Phone with video camera

Books

Your recommended reading lists will be sent out separately ahead of you starting at LAMDA. Most of these books can be found in the LAMDA library therefore there is no need to purchase them. These books are for reference and additional learning.

Other

It can be useful to have a recording device, so that you can record accents, music etc. It is sufficient to have a phone with the facility to record sound.

• Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate degree or relevant professional experience that has prepared them for advanced Musical Theatre studies. They must demonstrate the ability to study at Masters level.  

• No minimum degree classification is required, since admission is based on audition performance rather than past award classification.

• The audition process is thorough and seeks to engage those candidates that show an aptitude for the vocational nature of this practice based Masters programme. 

• Applicants who are not native English speakers are required to provide a valid IELTS test report. Applicants are expected to achieve an Overall Score of 7.0 (with 7.0 in each sub-test – listening, academic reading, academic writing and speaking). If a candidate has recently studied successfully for an academic qualification taught in English, they may not be required to submit a language test. If this is the case, they will be required to provide copies of certificates that show graduation from institutions in English speaking countries. 

Tuition fees
Fees are reviewed annually. Tuition fees for academic year 2025/26 will be listed shortly.

Previous 2024/25 entry:
UK applicants:
£30,120

International applicants:
£36,540

Application fees

• £88 for US-based applicants for in-person auditions. 
• ​​​​​£27.50 UCAS fee (for 6 choices) for UK & International applicants, plus £15 first-round audition fee. Recall fees to be confirmed.  

If you’re interested in applying to two or more LAMDA courses, please let the Admissions team know by emailing [email protected]. There is no need to apply to more than one LAMDA course in your UCAS application choices.

Course fees confirmed in an offer letter may be increased in further years of study by an inflationary amount determined in accordance with measures set by government.

Find out if you qualify for a fee waiver here.

All classes are considered ‘calls’ and attendance is compulsory as reflected in current practice within the industry. There is an emphasis on skills development and research-based practice, led by experienced practitioners in a realistic theatre environment.

You will be assessed continually across classes and on performances.

For the first 12 months (180 credits) of the course, learning and teaching take place in the following ways:

• Tutor-led classes
• 1-2-1 singing tutorials
• Director-led practical workshops. 
• Experiential learning including discipline-based classes and workshop productions

Tutors and directors will encourage and develop the application of acquired skills in both discipline focused classes and project workshops. They will engage with the students and encourage the development and integration of practice-based skills and knowledge.

In the final six months (60 credits) of the course:

• Learning is designed to be significantly more independent.
• Teaching is carried out through weekly lecture/seminar sessions which may be attended remotely online, while the rest of the week is dedicated to independent study.
• Students also benefit from study skill support sessions and 1-2-1 supervision sessions.

Recalls in the UK are to be confirmed, but are likely to be in the last week of July.

Recalls in the US are in Spring 2025. US candidates who are successful at the first round will be advised on the details of the final recall auditions. You'll be asked in the application form to provide dates when you're unavailable, which we will try to accommodate where possible.

Standard UK student Visa rules apply, find more information here.

Applicants should have a Visa in place to cover their study in the UK for the entire duration of the course. The second year of the course allows time for independent study.

It might be possible to study abroad for the final part of the course, but there are Visa implications and funding implications for students which would make it unviable in many cases. If this is your intention, discuss your plans in detail with our Admissions team before accepting an offer.

Contact our Admissions Team to discuss moving your application to different course. It may be necessary to send in a second self-tape video if the course requirements differ, but you will be contacted individually if that is the case.

Both the MA Musical Theatre* and MFA Musical Theatre* are available for funding via UK student loans and US federal loans.

None of the scholarships available to postgraduate students are able to cover both tuition fees and living costs entirely, and applicants for these courses are encouraged to consider other funding sources. 

Leverhulme Arts Scholarships created to support incoming students on any of LAMDA’s degree courses, full and partial scholarships are available for incoming students on any of LAMDA's degree courses, undergraduate and postgraduate.

Find out more

The MFA Musical Theatre* course offers a world class actor training for Musical Theatre performance and aims to provide a route into professional performance work as an actor in Musical Theatre. Not only will graduates leave having performed in a public production and in at least one showcase, they will be supported by professional careers advice, at every stage of their training.

The additional elements of the MFA qualification provide a route into teaching or research in musical theatre.  If they wish, students they can opt to complete a CPD accredited qualification to teach LAMDA Examinations.

Find out more about how LAMDA support you beyond your training here.

Eligible to work in USA or Canada?

LAMDA's training will culminate in a series of professional development and industry events to support your growth as a professional artist and the start/continuation of your career in North America. This may include digital or in-person events to help graduates gain exposure and will be tailored each year to best suit the current industry.