MA Musical Theatre Performance

MA Musical Theatre Performance

1 Year Full Time

About

Our Masters in Musical Theatre Performance course is an industry leading course, with graduates going into West End shows as leads and swings, National Tours, Regional Theatre, Cruise ships, and Film/TV work. Associated Studios take pride in developing performers of the highest calibre. You will be challenged and nurtured, inspired to work to the best of your ability. We accept a maximum of 22 students per cohort.

This vocational MA offers one year of intensive practical training in Dance, Singing and Acting, the skills required to become an outstanding Musical Theatre performer. Please note that advanced performers who have an appropriate level of skill across at least two of the major disciplines will be considered, even if they do not hold a prior degree.

Please be aware that once you apply to Associated Studios and have been accepted, you will be asked to complete the application process on the Chichester University website.

Please note that participation in projects involving performances for industry professionals, such as agents panels, the final show and master classes, cannot be guaranteed. Opportunities for industry exposure are carefully curated and overseen by senior management, with the aim of supporting each student’s development and ensuring appropriate professional engagement.

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Details

Start Date:

September 21, 2026

End Date:

Deadline for Applications:

Times:

Mondays: 09:00 – 17:00
Tuesdays: 09:00 – 17:00
Wednesdays: 09:00 – 17:00
Thursdays: 09:00 – 17:00
Friday - One to one Singing Lesson Day

*Please allow 8.30am-5.30pm daily. Please note this course covers 4 terms.

Fee (from Sep 2025):

£14,500

Who:

This course is currently validated for UK, and EU Settled Status students only

Finance:

Students are eligible for a Student Loan. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan for more information.

Entry:

Via audition: Prepare 2 contrasting Musical Theatre songs and a monologue, you can submit these as a self-tape or attend an in-person audition. Please note that as Associated Studios is a vocational school, we seek out talent and potential, therefore academic qualifications are not essential.

In Partnership with:

Acting: Scene Study, Monologue, Character work, Shakespeare, Voice, Improvisation, Movement, Play Project (public performance of a play in a theatre)

‍Singing: Individual 1-1 Singing Lessons, Ensemble Singing, Vocal Technique classes, Acting through Song, Pop/Rock Workshops, Repertoire Classes to build a comprehensive Audition portfolio covering all genres of song required for professional Musical Theatre auditions.

‍Dance: Streamed ability level Dance classes focusing on Jazz and Ballet technique, Musical Theatre Routine, Tap and Contemporary.

Industry Classes & Masterclasses: Performance and Mock Audition classes with Agents, Casting Directors and other Industry luminaries.

Marketing and Business Seminars: Classes covering the entrepreneurial aspect of the Performer’s craft including: how to write a good industry standard CV, getting your head shots right, audition etiquette, writing to agents and understanding theatre terminology.

Industry Classes: At Associated Studios masterclasses are given throughout the course of your study. We are proud of the strong links we have within the wider theatre industry and throughout your training you will come into contact with a number of different agents and casting directors, as well as visiting directors, choreographers and musical directors who are currently working both nationally and internationally.

Projects throughout the year:

Swing Project: You will be cast as both Ensemble and a cover lead role in a large excerpt of a show. This project will be led by an MD and a Director/ Choreographer.
Straight Play project: You will be cast in a play directed by an eminent Director and performed in a London theatre.
New Writing: Work with leading contemporary theatre composers on new musicals.
Public Production: You will take part in a full-scale musical that will be performed in a professional, central London theatre, after a production period of approximately 7 weeks. In this time all regular classes will be suspended and replaced by company rehearsals.
Industry Panel week: The MA culminates in an opportunity to take part in our industry presentation taking place for an entire week for invited Agents and Casting Directors. Students sing two contrasting songs and have one monologue to present to a daily changing panel of agents and casting directors.
Extended Independent Study: As an MA student, you create your own cabaret show as part of your final module. This project enables you to self-direct a cabaret performance, as well as produce the show in full. You will book venues, arrange rehearsals and apply the gained skills to an hour long performance. The subject of your piece will be decided by you and which areas of theatre you wish to explore further.

*please note classes may be subject to change as we endeavour to tailor the programme to the specific needs of each year group.

‍Who should apply:

All applications are via audition. Associated Studios only accept 22 students per cohort.

Applicants must be over 18 to apply.
Performers wanting to go into the professional Musical Theatre industry with some previous experience or training.
Students who have completed a BA with Associated Studios, however this is not a pre-requisite.
Performers wanting to work in the Musical Theatre industry who have no previous training, but who display the potential to be trained into fully fledged artists at audition.
Dancers and Actors with some singing ability and some performance experience, wishing to expand their casting.

Entry to the MA programme at Associated Studios is strictly by audition. Applicants do not need a prior BA or other qualification, as long as their skills are deemed to be at MA level.

International Applicants

Associated Studios is currently not in a position to offer the BA or MA validated courses to international applicants who do not have settled status. However, international applicants are welcome to audition for our Diploma courses which run alongside the validated programmes. You will be in the same class as MA students on our Advanced Diploma course

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How to Apply:

All applications are via audition. We take a maximum of 26 students per cohort.

Prepare 2 contrasting Musical Theatre songs and a monologue
You can submit these as a self-tape or attend an in-person audition
Complete our application form (Click Apply Now)
Send us your headshot and CV/Cover Letter
Send us a reference from a professional in the Performing Arts Industry (for example; a singing tutor, a dance tutor or a teacher from relevant subjects at school)
Pay the £40 audition fee

Send the following to info@associatedstudios.co.uk

Headshot and CV/Cover Letter
Reference from a professional in the Performing Arts Industry (for example; a singing tutor, a dance tutor or a teacher from relevant subjects at school)

Your application form will come to us directly once you have pressed submit, if you're wanting to attend an in-person audition day please email us and we'll let you know the next audition date or check our What's On page.

Associated Studios may choose to recall you which would be in-person - if you cannot attend an in-person recall you will be asked to submit a second self-tape, please let the team know when you submit your application of your preference.

Please look out for our Open Days. Open Days at Associated Studios are normal days where you get to watch, join in, and speak to staff and students. We do not manufacture open days as we want you to see a normal day in the life at the school.

Triple Threat Training

You will receive triple threat training. Your training will focus equally on all three disciplines; singing, acting and dancing. You will have the opportunity to perform and receive individual feedback regularly.

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Masterclass & Mock Auditions

Throughout your course, you will participate in masterclasses and workshops led by industry professionals. You will also get the opportunity to take part in mock auditions with Casting Directors, Producers and Agents.

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Panel Week & Digital Showcase

One of the highlights of this course is our 'Agent and Industry Panel Week'. This week gives students the opportunity to show their full potential to the top agents and casting directors in the business. Students will also take part in our digital showcase which allows students to professionally record their top choice songs to share with industry.

Associated Studios has been extremely successful in the percentage of students gaining agent representation during the course.

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Individual Singing Lessons

As well as your ensemble singing lessons, music theory and song performance classes, students on this course will also receive individual singing lessons with a top vocal coach. Singing lessons will take place on a Friday.

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Full-Scale Musical Production

You will take part in a full-scale musical production in a professional theatre in London. Like a professional process, you will rehearse and work with a professional creative and production team over a 7-8 week period.

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"Going to Associated Studios was one of the best decisions I've made to date! Thanks to AS I have been blessed to book 2 major West End shows. The teaching is incredible. I always felt challenged in the best possible way, and felt safe to make mistakes which helped my growth. AS will forever have a massive place in my heart."

Gibsa Bah - 'The Book of Mormon" West End & "The Lion King" West End, '22 MA Graduate