Musical Theatre

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Overview

This programme at Junior Conservatoire is designed specifically for young people who aspire to train in Musical Theatre for further and higher education. Across a range of specialist classes, workshops, projects, and performance opportunities students on this pathway develop the skills, knowledge, and assurance in their skills to follow their passions to an appropriately high standard as appropriate for application and audition at degree level.

Each week, students will have classes in singing, dancing, acting, and the additional skills they need to excel as performers. Importantly, we support all our Musical Theatre students to learn a musical instrument for use in performance, broadening their options for further study and future employability.

The team teaching this programme are all practising professionals who bring the most current innovations from the industry to share with the students in the classes. This small, highly talented and experienced teaching team includes specialist choreographers, musical directors, singers, actors, composers, writers, and dancers. Crucially, everyone in the teaching team is an expert educator who supports each student in understanding what the art form demands of them and how to excel within it.

The programme has five levels, developing students from the strong foundation established in Level 1 and building them into well-rounded, highly skilled performers by the end of Level 5. This is achieved through a programme of modules designed to inspire and challenge students as they develop a cohesive practice in preparation for degree level training. Take a look at the Programme Structure for further information on what each level covers.

Students on this programme come from across Scotland and the North of England and each share a passion and commitment for all forms of Musical Theatre. Not only is the Junior Conservatoire a place to develop your skills; it is also an opportunity to grow your network of creative, like-minded peers on a similar journey to you. We regularly work with other artistic disciplines at the Junior Conservatoire and share performance trips.

Entry to the programme is by audition only, and we are committed to supporting applicants from a diverse range of experience levels throughout the audition process. We accept a limited number of students each year to ensure we give each student significant attention towards their personal development as artists.

The programme runs from August to June each year. Students are placed in one of five levels of study, according to their age, ability and experience.

Contact us

Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now open.

If you would like to attend our Juniors Musical Theatre Open Day, please sign up to our Juniors Musical Theatre Open Day Form.

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

The important details

For Ages:
14-18 (S3-S6 for 26.27 academic year)

Application Deadline:
16 March 2026

Venue:
Wallace Studios, 210 Garscube Rd, Glasgow G4 9RR

Dates:
30 August 2025 - 07 June 2026

Time:
Sundays, 10.15—16.30

Audition Fee:
£45

Cost
£3350 for session 2025/26, Fees for 2026/27 TBC

This is the programme for you if you want to:

Take your passion for Musical Theatre and grow your ability to sing, act, dance, and play an instrument across a full musical theatre repertoire
Combine all the performance skills and experience you have into one cohesive practice, and be supported to push yourself to the highest level you can reach.
Strike a balance in your training between creative and physically expressive modules with a secure foundation in knowledge and practical skills to support your exploration of the Musical Theatre industry
Prepare yourself for application and audition for BA Musical Theatre and Drama degrees at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and other institutions
Collaborate with other artists your age across Acting, Musical Theatre, Production, and Film in our large performances throughout the year

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

Benefits of studying at the Junior Conservatoire include:

Study in Scotland’s national conservatoire, one of the world’s top 10 performing arts education institutions
Perform for public audiences within RCS venues
Learn technical voice, singing, acting, dance, and a range of supporting skills to prepare you for college and degree courses
Participate in masterclasses with visiting industry professionals and RCS lecturers with many years of conservatoire-level teaching

Receive regular feedback to ensure you are getting the most out of the programme
Casting opportunities for professional jobs
Free tickets to all RCS productions
Students on the Junior Conservatoire Musical Theatre programme will learn from a variety of expert staff throughout the year, who will work with you to develop specialist skills.

The programme focuses on developing the range of artistic disciplines required of a musical theatre performer as students progress through the five levels. Level 1 is for younger performers who show great potential, while Level 5 is for those who have significantly developed their skills and are preparing to apply for degree-level training. Students are placed into a level at audition by the panel and the Drama Coordinator.

Progression through the programme is determined through continuous observation and the successful achievement of each module’s learning outcomes. We work closely with students to support them in excelling throughout every module.

The following summary of each level is for indication only. We continually monitor and adjust the curriculum to ensure our programmes are innovative, current, and continue to appropriately stretch our students.

This level focuses on balancing the skills of the entering cohort, ensuring that each student’s areas for growth are supported so they can reach their full potential across all the core performer disciplines: singing, acting, and dancing. The focus will also be on professionalism, ensemble practice, and students getting to know themselves as a performer.

Students work on their singing skills through ensemble classes, individual singing lessons, vocal anatomy, and music theory classes. They extend their skills through foundational acting classes to introduce voice, character, and using text in performance. In their dance classes they develop their terminology and application for musicality through movement, technical use of body in performance, and their physical strength and fitness. All these lessons culminate in unifying the artforms simultaneously through Acting Through Song and Ensemble Performance classes preparing students for the Musical Theatre Showcase pieces at the end of the year.

Students in this level tend to be aged 14-15 years.

In Level 2, students’ broad and balanced skill sets are further developed, challenging them to excel across all the disciplines of Musical Theatre. Students will dive deeper into a variety of repertoire and performance styles.

This year, the complexity of the classes is increased, and the fourth discipline is added to the skillset of the cohort: playing instruments. In Acting classes, more nuanced techniques for working with text – especially heightened text like Shakespeare or poetry – are introduced with clear links to how this relates to working with songs. In singing, the number of sessions of Acting Through Song are increased to support students in delivering powerful solo performances. The group’s skills in working across multiple disciplines simultaneously, such as singing and dancing, are further developed to build a strong technical foundation and ensure excellence as students progress towards degree-level training. This year is also supported by a range of modules to support wider knowledge and contextualisation, to create reflective and critically engaged performers as they head into their Showcase at the end of the year.

Level 2 students tend to be aged 15-16 years.

At this stage exploration will be more prevalent and students will build upon their previous learning. They will focus on consolidating their skills, blending the three core disciplines, and developing a deeper understanding of how to integrate them seamlessly for a more cohesive performance.

The year begins with a focus on building performers’ repertoire books for singing and acting and introducing techniques for and application of actor-musicianship skills, which are developed and expanded throughout the year.

This highly creative year consolidates students’ skills and confidence in singing, dancing, acting, and playing simultaneously at a high level, while supporting them to step boldly into the unknown, embrace artistic challenges, and question their assumptions about themselves as performers.

This level also lays a foundation for students to look towards their applications for college and university, ensuring they develop the broad skills needed to hit the ground running in the next academic year. This includes monologue and songbook preparation, experience in a range of dance styles and techniques, and a generous amount of one-to-one time with our teaching team.

At Level 3, students tend to be aged 16-17 years.

This year is designed to help students explore their unique strengths, discover their identity as performers, and experiment with their skills and techniques. It will prepare them for drama school and industry auditions, providing a solid foundation in understanding the expectations of the professional world.

We offer a significant level of audition prep that includes masterclasses in interview technique, confidence, and online auditions. This culminates in a mock audition with members the BA Musical Theatre audition panel for The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. They are supported throughout the year with their auditions and applications.

There is also a strong focus on devising brand new Musical Theatre shows, which allows students to write scripts, songs, and choreograph around ideas they are passionate about. The year culminates in a showcase performance of their work, skills, passion, and commitment to the artform in a very well attended event within the Royal Conservatoire.

Students in this level are usually aged 17-18 years.

At this level, students’ work is centred around projects, which form the primary focus of their year. Throughout these projects, students integrate their skills into rehearsal practice while collaborating closely with a director towards a production. Projects may include studio-based productions, theatre performances, or other creative formats, such as a play (potentially incorporating actor-musicianship), Company Scenes, or a devised piece. Skill-based training continues each day to support students in refining and consolidating their abilities.

We continue to offer a significant level of audition preparation at this level which includes masterclasses in interview technique, confidence, and online auditions. This culminates in a mock audition with members of the BA Musical Theatre audition panel for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and students are supported throughout the year with their auditions and applications.

The year culminates in a showcase performance of students’ work, skills, passion, and commitment to the art form, presented in a highly attended event at the Royal Conservatoire.

Students in this level are usually aged 18+

Students on the Junior Conservatoire Musical Theatre programme will learn from a variety of expert staff throughout the year, who will work with you to develop specialist skills.

Teachers on the programme include:

TEACHERS ON THE PROGRAMME –
- Angela Boshoff
- Ash Henning
- Carly Cassidy
- Charlie Allen
- Dale Parker
- Filip Holaky
- James Siggens
- Lydia Davidson
- Shonagh Murray
- Stephen Arden
VISITNG

Add Lorraine Graham

Guest teachers on the programme include:

Andy McGregor
Christina Modestou
Andy Manning
Jaïrus Obayomi

Over the last five years, we have had many students go on to study Musical Theatre and Drama at top schools and universities such as:

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Italia Conti
Glasgow University
Queen Margaret University

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

Entry to Junior Conservatoire is by audition only, and progression through the programme is decided through continuous observation and successfully meeting the learning outcomes for each module. We work closely with students to support them to excel throughout each module.

We do not ask for any formal entry requirements. We expect all applicants to have some experience of acting or performance, a demonstrable passion for Musical Theatre, and to be able to discuss this with the panel at the audition.

The panel will be looking for applicants who are generous when working with others, boldly creative, and are able to form connections with the characters in their speeches, and the stamina and curiosity to expand their skills in voice, movement, and acting techniques. Simply put, we are looking for students who want to be the best performer they can be.

Tuition fees

The Junior Conservatoire Musical Theatre course fees for 2025/26 are £3350. Fees for 26/27 TBC.

Funding & Scholarships

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

All students who receive an offer of study from us after their audition will be sent the bursary application form.

Anyone who faces financial barriers towards the cost of their audition, please email juniorsstageandscreen@rcs.ac.uk and you will be sent the bursary application form.

We aim to support as many students as possible in accessing Junior Conservatoire training. As such, while we do offer financial assistance, we are unfortunately not able to offer full fee support.

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

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 2026 will open in late-November 2025. The deadline to apply is 16th March 2026.

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: juniorsstageandscreen@rcs.ac.uk

Audition dates

All auditions for the Junior Conservatoire Musical Theatre programme will be scheduled w/c 30th March 2026

Once you have submitted your application, you will be sent an audition invitation (which will include your audition date and time) after we close the portal for applications (application deadline is 16th March 2026).

If you cannot attend your audition slot, we may be able to reschedule these in some cases.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Junior Conservatoire or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Email: juniorsstageandscreen@rcs.ac.uk

Telephone: 0141 332 4101

If you would like to attend our Juniors Musical Theatre Open Day, please sign up to our Juniors Musical Theatre Open Day Form.

The Audition:

At the audition, we are looking to identify pathways for you towards your aspirations to develop your abilities in Musical Theatre. This may be through Junior Conservatoire, or through Short Courses at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Dates:

Musical Theatre auditions will be held w/c 30th March 2026

We aim for all our auditions to be in person at one of the campuses of The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. At your audition, we will ask all applicants to:

Prepare one song for the solo audition.
Choose one of the monologues from a selection we send to you to perform at the solo audition.
Attend a dance session with us at the audition.

Below is a summary of each of the different sessions at the audition.

Dance Session:

Participants will participate in a 1 hour workshop. In this session, we will warm you up physically, partake in some corner work exercises, and quickly learn a small section of choreography to perform as a group.

In this part of the audition, we are looking at your ability to take risks in how you move your body creatively and musically, your enjoyment of dance, and identify your core skill levels in posture, technique, and flexibility so that we can ensure you are supported to excel.

Solo Audition:

Performance of the song you prepared.

Performance of the monologue you chose

We will then redirect one of these performances to try it in a completely new way to see how you make quick, bold, creative choices.

Your Monologue:

A few weeks before your audition date, we will send you a selection of about 20 speeches to choose from. Full instructions will be provided with the workbook. Please select one of the speeches we send you and prepare it for performance in the audition when you meet with us. We want you to perform this without the script, and present it as if you were performing it for an audience. We will also ask you why you selected the speech.

As you perform your monologue, we will be looking at your characterisation and the choices you have made, including how you use your voice and body. This will give us insight into your current skill set and how we can best support your development.

Your Song:

Once you have applied, you can start thinking about which song you would like to perform for us. It should be a piece from Musical Theatre and tell a story. We want to hear you sing with a piano, so please bring the sheet music with you in a folder. It should be 2-3 minutes long, and if it’s any longer you will need to cut it. You can show us the cuts when you speak to the Accompanist in your audition. Try to make sure it is in the right key – sometimes we have students rehearse to instrumental videos on YouTube and discover that the sheet music is in a different key. If you’re in any doubt, you can speak to your music teacher at school and they will be able to help you.

We want to hear your voice and see how you convey character through music. Please don’t include dance as this could distract from us hearing your voice at its full potential.

In this section of the day, we are looking to hear your ability to make creative choices to tell stories through song, your technical skill in following the melody and tempo accurately, and your understanding of how to use music, lyrics, and performance to bring characters to life.

Your Redirection:

We may ask you to perform your speech or your song in a different way. This allows us to see how adaptable you are, how well you can take direction, and how creative and bold you are willing to be. Redirection can sometimes feel challenging or unfamiliar, and other times it may feel easier. We will be interested to hear your reflections on this process during the interview section of the audition.

Your Interview:

This is an opportunity for you to discuss what you love about Musical Theatre, your ambitions, and what you think you need to become a better performer. We are just as passionate about performance as you, so feel free to ask us questions too. It’s also a chance for us to get to know you as a person, our staff are all very welcoming – so please use this as an opportunity to tell us about you!

The interview alongside the audition should help us get a sense of what we think you need to develop, what you do in your spare time, how committed to drama you are, and whether you have the stamina, drive, and passion yet to train intensely at the Junior Conservatoire each week.