Musical Theatre Performance (The Hammond) BA (Hons)

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Course Summary

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.

What our Students think

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.

Module content:

This module introduces students to the historical, social and cultural development of Musical Theatre.

Students 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 the students’ 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.


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows: 

  • To contextualise and reinforce students’ understanding of technical and artistic performance.
  • To develop students’ knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the many facets of musical theatre, including music theory.
  • To orientate students with key practitioners, practices, and works and to actively engage students in critical analysis of both historical and current work.
  • To apply students’ skills of intellectual enquiry through the introduction of a range of research and study skills underpinning self-directed learning.
  • To develop students’ written and oral communication skills.

Module content:

This module introduces students to core singing 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 students to establish a firm technical skill base, supported by safe practice.

It begins the student’s 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.

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

 


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows:

  • To explore the capabilities of the student's voice, developing responsible performers with an understanding of the importance of safe practice. 
  • To apply technical and artistic skills in voice.
  • To analyse performance skills through artistry, technical skills, musicality, expression, projection, communication, and versatility in performance.
  • To apply concepts of reflective practitioners by engaging in evaluative practices of their own and others' work.

Module content:

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

Students will establish a firm technical base supported by safe dance practice which includes both physical and emotional health, and will expand their awareness of physical and artistic skills through practical participation, personal practice and application of feedback and reflection. Students 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. 


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows:

  • To identify foundation techniques in dance styles that underpin musical theatre
  • To develop autonomous performers by providing opportunities for the acquisition, improvement and application of technical and artistic skills
  • To promote the development of reflective performers by providing opportunities for students to engage with evaluative practices of their own and others' work
  • To apply and analyse safe dance practice
  • To develop the ability to work as both a solo and ensemble performer

Module content:

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

Through tutor-led workshops, students 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. Students will expand their 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. 


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows: 

  • To apply technical and artistic skills in acting.
  • To develop autonomous and responsible performers with an understanding of how to work as a company member.
  • To apply evaluative and reflective skills by evaluating practices of their own and others' work.

Module content:

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

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

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


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows:

  • To employ knowledge of professional working practice.
  • To identify and develop performance skills through understanding of the artistic intentions and interpretative requirements of the work.
  • To apply understanding of performer/audience rapport and communication, and personal identity as a performer.
  • To develop students’ awareness to the technical and supporting roles involved in theatre performance.

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

Module content:

This module seeks to explore student knowledge of historical contexts relevant to musical theatre and seeks to identify and recognise perspectives. Students will hypothesise relevant contexts in relation to key practitioners, seminal works and the developing social, political and economic climate and will analyse and elucidate precise understanding and application of technical concepts and methods in the development of musical theatre. 

In this module students will critically examine theoretical debates that are central to the study of musical theatre, and will undertake an analysis of musical theatre developments and recognise competing perspectives. Students will analyse and explicate some critical theories relating to the history of musical theatre, including interrogation of the cultural, social and political contextualisation by analysing the impact of exemplary practitioners and events. 

This module will enable students to apply the research and study skills required for self-directed learning. This will include research methodology along with academic writing and referencing skills.


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows: 

  • To analyse and evaluate technical and artistic performance training.
  • To critically analyse a range of techniques in musical theatre.
  • To evaluate arguments pertaining to key practitioners, practices, and a range of relevant works
  • To apply students’ skills of independent research and self-directed learning.

Module content:

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

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


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows:

  • To facilitate advanced techniques for the student to use in performance.
  • To foster confidence in the student to explore the full capabilities of their voice.
  • To further the student’s knowledge and understanding of performance skills: artistry, technical skills, musicality, expression, projection, communication and versatility in performance.
  • To critically reflect and evaluate performances.
  • To apply an independent approach to identify and address student needs, identify solutions, and undertake relevant further learning.

Module content:

This module enables students 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. 

Students will advance their 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. Students will expand their knowledge of the importance of combining the two skills of singing and dancing through application of feedback, reflection and independent practice.


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows:

  • To facilitate student exploration of the importance of marrying vocal with dance and to encourage the development of stamina needed to combine dance and singing.
  • To evaluate dance ensemble skills with a focus on stylistic awareness.
  • To analyse different dance styles and genres in the world of musical theatre.

Module content:

This module develops advanced application of the principles underpinning acting.

Students will expand and apply their 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.

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


Module aims:

The aims of the modules are as follows:

  • To critically evaluate sophisticated technical and artistic skills in acting through physicality and voice.
  • To analyse, review, reflect, and apply a variety of materials and forms.
  • To interrogate the student's role in collaborative work in preparation for performance.
  • To facilitate reflective performers by providing opportunities for students to engage with evaluative practices of their own and others' work.

Module content:

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

The module advances student understanding of professional ways of working, creating a clear benchmark for standards required in the professional world of performance. Students 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. 

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

 


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows:

  • To critically evaluate the student's own technical skills.
  • To interrogate the rehearsal and performance process and professional working practice.
  • To analyse the impact of performance skills through greater understanding of the artistic intentions and interpretative requirements of the work.
  • To hypothesise personal artistry.
  • To critically evaluate research, reflective and evaluative skills, demonstrating integration of theory into practice which is relevant to the works performed.

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.

Module content:

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

The module is structured to provide variety and choice as students consider post-graduate options; content includes exploration of the audition process and self-promotion, evaluation and reflection of professional sustainability, pedagogical development in musical theatre theory, analysis of the ever changing world of performance.

Students will be guided to create a personal digital portfolio thereby developing an online collection of work that represents abilities and skills as a professional. This will also include understanding of the important of business acumen as a performer, as well as self-promotion, marketing and digital and communication skills. 

Students will take responsibility for identifying and planning for their personal and professional development, and will critically evaluate personal application of established methods and techniques and evaluate critical theories and contextualisation in their research. Students will critically evaluate the work of exemplary practitioners and incorporate into own research. 


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows:

  • To analyse critical awareness of relevant professional skills, leading to proficiency of understanding of the creative industries. 
  • To critically evaluate a valuable and viable personal set of options relating to the creative industries, including awareness of business acumen. 
  • To facilitate autonomous student development of a finished and sophisticated piece of work.
  • To utilise transferable skills of the professional world and to evaluate the application of them.

Module content:

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

Throughout the research stage, students 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 student's main interests, knowledge and skills. Location and numbers involved will be determined by an agreed topic.


Module aims:

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.

Module content:

This module gives the student the opportunity to research in depth and write at length about a topic of their own choice which is related to musical theatre.

Students 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.


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows: 

  • 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. 

Module content:

This module creates the opportunity for students to advance their 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 students will gain experience of developing their leadership skills through being involved in the rehearsal, performance and evaluation of practical work. Students 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 student development of technical and artistic skills, sophisticated evaluation of the rehearsal process,  evaluative, reflective and research skills.


Module aims:

This module aims to:  

  • Utilise specialist skills to critically evaluate the context within which performers work in the creative industries. 
  • Transfer and apply diagnostic and creative skills to asses how to communicate with an audience.
  • Take accountability and ownership of the professional experience in the rehearsal and performance process.

How you'll Learn

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Practical classes, lectures, seminars and tutorials

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This course is designed around in-person study

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Performances, essays, journals and presentations

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There may be some online learning activities

Entry Requirements

104UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

104 points

GCE A Level

104 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent. Typical offer: BCC/CCC. Specific subjects required: Drama, Drama and Theatre Studies, Performing Arts, Performance Studies

BTEC

BTEC Performing Arts. Typical offer DMM

International Baccalaureate

28 points, including 5 in HL Theatre Arts

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish 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, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

T Level - Pass (C or above on the core).

Extra Information

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.

Applicants will be required to attend an audition and interview.

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.

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Course specific additional costs

Non-compulsory theatre trips cost approximately £40-£50 each including coach travel. 

The uniform leotard is £36.99, the Hammond/university hoodie is £39.99 and the Hammond/uni polo shirt is £13.99. Other than the leotard, no item is compulsory and students can use their existing black dance clothing for practical sessions.

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Where you'll Study The Hammond

The Hammond is one of the leading providers of performing arts

Located only a short 10-minute drive from our Exton Park (Parkgate Road) site, The Hammond is one of the leading providers of performing arts in the North West and is highly respected throughout the world.

Outstanding Performance Facilities

As a vibrant and unique, campus-based performing arts institution, The Hammond has an outstanding selection of facilities and resources, including dance and drama studios, a music suite with a recording studio, practice rooms, and a 420-seat theatre.

A sound recording studio with two people working at the controls.

Close-knit community

Tutors at The Hammond are there to guide you and help you engage with your studies to become active learners. What’s more, as a campus-based performing arts institution, you can benefit from the kind of individual care and attention that joining a smaller learning community provides.

A dance studio with a group of dancers learning to perform on stage.

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

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.