Musical Theatre

The Junior Conservatoire Musical Theatre programme is for students are passionate about musical theatre and show great potential in this competitive sector. We will work with you to develop high level skills across the varied disciplines of acting, singing, dance and instrumental skills. It is our aim to prepare you for further study and a career in this demanding industry.

By studying on this Juniors Musical Theatre programme, you will:

• develop an awareness and technical ability in the body through dance
• learn music theory and instrumental skills to allow you to read sheet music
• develop singing technique with RCS vocal tutors
• focus on core acting skills to build on character, emotion and control of range
• learn textual analysis and characterisation skills
• develop instrumental skills to complement your musical abilities

Entry to the programme is by audition only and we accept a small number of students each year into the programme to allow us to focus our teaching on each individual’s development.

The programme runs from August to June each year, and from this year there will be four levels of study available depending on your ability and experience.

Contact us

Applications for Musical Theatre starting in August 2023 are now open for applications. Please contact us by email juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk  if you have any questions and we will be happy to help.

The programme concentrates on learning the different specialisms required to be a successful musical theatre performer: acting, singing, dance and instrumental skills. Students will progress through four levels; younger and more inexperienced performers will need to complete level 1 before progressing to level 2 in the following year, and level 3 & 4 thereafter. The panel will decide what level is best for you at your audition.

Skills and techniques

Throughout the programme you will focus on a range of skills and techniques to allow you to develop and refine your ability as a performer.

Some of the key skills you will learn include:

• expand your voice tone and range of expression
• music theory and instrumental skills
• the ability to read sheet music
• acting training including concentrating on emotion, control of range and textual analysis
• Jazz; Ballet technique and choreography

Performance opportunities will be offered in Winter and Summer at RCS events. Students in level 3 & 4 will be offered additional opportunities when they arise.

The Junior Conservatoire of Drama is the national centre of excellence for training young performers and preparing them for further study.

• Study in Scotland’s national conservatoire, one of the world’s top 10 performing arts education institutions
• Benefit from strong links to the undergraduate BA Musical Theatre programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Learn technical movement, vocal skills, script analysis and characterisation choices, alongside singing, dancing and performing skills
• Receive regular feedback reports to ensure you are getting the most out of the programme
• Casting opportunities for professional jobs
• Free tickets to all RCS productions

Many of our students go on to study at top UK Performing Arts/Drama Schools; Conservatoires and Universities such as:

• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Royal Central School of Speech & Drama
• Oxford School of Drama
• Trinity Laban
• London Contemporary Dance School
• Rose Bruford College
• Glasgow University

We will support our students with whatever pathway they choose whether that be further study within the arts; academic study or work .

We want to make the performing arts as accessible as possible.

Anyone who faces financial barriers to participate in the Junior Conservatoire can apply at any time, whether at acceptance to a course or during the course, for a bursary or scholarship.

Please take the time to refer to this bursary and scholarship criteria.

For anyone who requires a bursary or scholarship please email JuniorsDDPF@rcs.ac.uk and you will be sent an application form.

We will try to support as many students as possible to attend the Junior Conservatoire training and therefore may not be able to cover full student fees.

These funds are currently supported by the generosity of individuals and charitable trusts including:

• James McAvoy Drama Scholarship
• Agnes Allan Bursary
• Bill and Margaret Nicol

Entry to Junior Conservatoire is by audition only, and progression through the levels is not automatic — students will be assessed each year if they would like to continue with their studies.

We do not ask for any formal entry requirements but would expect all applicants to have some experience of musical theatre or performance, and be able to discuss this with the panel at the audition.

We look for applicants who show passion for musical theatre and a desire to develop and progress to study at a higher education level in the future. Whilst we do not ask for specific entry requirements, the panel will be looking for applicants of great potential who demonstrate they have the commitment and ability to work hard and become the best performer they can be.

The Audition:-

Dates: Musical Theatre auditions will be held between the 12-17 June 2023.

This year all auditions will be held in person at the Renfrew Street campus. All auditions will consist of a group dance & ensemble singing session,  and a solo audition.

The solo audition will consist of one monologue and 2 x contrasting songs.

Group Session:

• Applicants will participate in a 1 hour Dance call.
• Applicants will participate a 30 minute Ensemble Singing call

*Note* applicants do not need to prepare anything for the above sessions but they should come appropriately dressed and bring a bottle of water with them.

Solo Audition:

• Performance of monologue and songs (we may only ask to hear one of your songs but be prepared to sing both)
• Redirect of monologue and/or songs
• Interview

The monologue: Should be no longer than two minutes and we suggest choosing a monologue by a character of similar age to yourself, and performing it in your own accent. The monologue should come from a published play. It is absolutely fine to choose one from a monologue book but make sure you read the play it is from as the panel will ask you questions on it.

The songs: Prepare two contrasting songs from the musical theatre genre which are no longer than two minutes in length each. Again, we would ask that you know about the productions that the songs have come from. If the songs you want to sing are longer than two minutes you should make the appropriate cuts to the music.

We want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to apply for the Junior Conservatoire Musical Theatre programme and everyone who applies on time will receive an interview.

When to apply

Application for entry to the Junior Conservatoire Musical Theatre programme in August 2023 is currently open.

All applications should be completed online and there is an interview fee of £45. If an applicant is applying for multiple courses they will only need to pay one audition fee. If you need financial support to pay for the interview fee please contact us at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk 

Audition dates

All auditions for the Junior Conservatoire Musical Theatre programme will be scheduled between 12-17 June 2023.  

Question?

If you have any questions about the Junior Conservatoire or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk.

Term Dates

Student induction- 20th August 2022

Term 1- 27 Aug- 16th December 2022 (no sessions from 8-21st October)

Term 2- 7th January- 31st March 2023 (no session 11-17th Feb)

Term 3- 15th April- 16th June 2023

Performance opportunities – TBC

Winter Show (Curioser and Curioser) – 6th, 7th and 8th January 2023

Other potential performances- Bridge Week, Youth Arts Fest, Leavers ceremony

Term Dates (2023/2024)

Term 1

Student induction- Sunday 20th August 2023

Term 1 starts – Saturday 26^th August 2023

Mid term break- 14-27^th October 2023

Term 1 finishes- Friday 15^th December 2023

Term 2 starts- Saturday 6^th January 2024

Mid term break- 10^th-16^th February 2024

Term 2 finishes- Friday 29^th March 2024

Term 3 starts- Saturday 13^th April 2024

Term 3 finishes- Friday 14^th June 2024

Fees (23/24)

Musical Theatre fees for the year are £3100