Musical Theatre, BA (Hons)
Prepare yourself to be a ‘triple threat’ musical theatre performer as you train in the disciplines of acting, singing and dancing while exploring the traditions and contemporary practices of musical theatre on stage and screen.
This course aims to develop versatile, imaginative and employable performers and will instil in you the skills needed to flourish both on and off the stage. You will enhance your practical skills in acting, singing, movement and dance, and also gain an understanding of the theatre industry and how to market yourself and secure professional roles or succeed in related fields.
As well as developing your artistry and creativity, you will gain an understanding of core musical theatre disciplines from a theoretical perspective by examining their key practitioners and pieces.
A host of industry experts contribute to this course alongside our experienced lecturers with specialist workshops and guest lectures. These have included working with some of the most exciting writers, directors, agents, actors and dancers from both the UK and abroad.
On this course you will also benefit from being part of Creative Arts Weston. Here you will join our exciting and passionate creative community, and you will be perfectly placed to join the arts industry, leading the way as part of the next creative generation.
Although this is a Bath Spa University programme it is delivered here at UCW, if you would like to find out more about this programme or apply to it, please click here.
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Duration:
Full-time: 3 years (5 days a week)
Start date:
September 2024
Location:
UCW Academy of Performing Arts at Knightstone Campus
Course codes:
Institution: B20
Course: UCW3
Campus: C
Awarding institution:
Bath Spa University
Course fees:
Full-time: £8,900 per year
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Delivered in partnership
This course is delivered in partnership with...
Assessment
Written
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COURSEWORK
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PRACTICAL
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The UCW Academy of Performing Arts aims to replicate the professional workplace environment, so you will utilise our rehearsal studios and work individually and as part of an ensemble to perform in regional theatres and also further afield.
The numerous opportunities to perform in professional venues is what sets us apart. In the past three years, our students have performed week-long runs of Sister Act, A Christmas Carol and The Secret Garden at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. We also hold a spectacular end of year show every summer to give our students the chance to showcase their talents to theatre-lovers closer to home.
The UCW Academy of Performing Arts is part of our Knightstone Campus in the centre of Weston, but you will also be able to use all of our facilities at no extra charge. This includes access to the University Centre in the Winter Gardens on Weston seafront. The new facility has a higher education library, a café and modern learning spaces.
Please contact the course leader Kyle Davies or UCW’s HEART student services team if you have any questions. It would also be great to meet you and show you around at our next Open Day.
All of the modules on this course are compulsory and worth either 20, 40 or 60 credits each. Successful completion of all three years is worth 360 credits and will lead to the award of a degree at Level 6.
Year 1:
- Acting and Voice 1 (20 credits)
- Ballet and Jazz Dance (20 credits)
- Musical Theatre History and Repertoire (20 credits)
- Musical Theatre Singing 1 (20 credits)
- Personal Development (20 credits)
- Tap and Musical Theatre Dance (20 credits)
Year 2:
- Acting and Voice 2 (20 credits)
- Musical Theatre Dance Skills (40 credits)
- Musical Theatre Performance Processes (40 credits)
- Musical Theatre Singing 2 (20 credits)
Year 3:
- Musical Theatre Independent Study (20 credits)
- Professional Musical Theatre Project (60 credits)
- The Professional Musical Theatre Performer (40 credits)
This course is taught and assessed via a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, skills classes, in-class performances of devised work, presentations, individual and group work, written assignments and public performances. UCW’s Higher Education Library Plus (HE.LP) team also deliver a series of sessions on degree-level research and academic writing to all first-year students. When not in scheduled lectures and seminars, students are also expected to continue learning through independent self-study.
This course has an average of 30 hours of scheduled teaching per week.
Assessment is via a combination of practical exams and coursework, with an assessment breakdown of 25% coursework and 75% practical exams. There are no written exams on this degree.
- Students who pass this course are eligible to apply for postgraduate study, such as the Master’s Degrees in Classical Acting, Performing Shakespeare or Directing at Bath Spa University.
- Graduates can also seek roles with touring theatre companies and employment in various positions in the wider entertainment industry.
Industry insight
£1.28 billion was generated in ticket sales for performances in theatres in 2018 (UK Theatre).
A minimum of CDD at A Level, or a BTEC Extended Diploma at MMP, or a T Level at Pass, or equivalent, preferably in a related area. Applications from those studying two A Levels or alternative Level 3 qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants are also required to attend an audition.
Applicants with a level 5 qualification such as HND, Foundation Degree, or equivalent can be considered for 3rd year entry. Please contact admissions@ucw.ac.uk to discuss your application further.
Quick Stats
Immerse yourself in the ‘triple threat’ disciplines of acting, singing and dancing while exploring the traditions and contemporary practices of musical theatre.
Learn more
Meet our Team
Adrian Harris
Lecturer in Acting and Performance Making
Adrian is an actor, director and writer. He trained as an actor at ALRA London (Academy of Live and Recorded Arts) and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Acting from ALRA, a National Certificate in Acting from Trinity College London, and a LAMDA Gold Medal in Acting. He has worked extensively across film and TV, including 25 episodes of BBC’s Casualty as series regular paramedic Norman Burnton, as well as featured roles in shows including Coronation Street, Waking the Dead, Three Girls, Clone, Episodes, Doctors, The Outlaws and This England for SKY Atlantic, and feature films Sideshow and Crowhurst. In theatre Adrian has worked for the Tobacco Factory, Bristol Old Vic, Swan Theatre and has toured the UK in productions of Hamlet and Twelfth Night. Adrian is also the creator and artistic director of Brass Works Theatre, originally a 90-seat venue in South Gloucestershire, and now a freelance producing company.
As a writer, Adrian has a Master’s Degree (with Merit) in Screenwriting from Royal Holloway University of London, where he is a regular lecturer at their annual spring retreat. He was a committee member of Southwest Scriptwriters teaching workshops and developing new work.
Rachel Hickie
Programme Coordinator - Dance for Commercial Performance
Rachel is currently the Program Co Ordinator for the Dance for Commercial Performance BA(hons) at UCW. She lecturers in dance and musical theatre, specialising in commercial. She has a Bsc(hons) degree in psychology and a MA in human resource management, specialising in training and development, from the University of the West of England. Whilst studying she found her passion for teaching, choreographing for their street dance competitions crews and winning coach of the year at her university in 2013. She had worked for a variety of university both nationally and internationally. She is an experienced choreographer, now teaching a number of competition teams who compete across the country. Her choreography has brought back many 1st place trophies over the years including at BDO, UDO and SDI street dance competitions. Her routines have also qualified for both World Championships and European Championships on a number of occasions across many competition organisations. Rachel teaches a variety of dance styles in educational contexts, including experience teaching a dance curriculum in schools. She is specialised in Waacking, House, Popping, Dancehall, Hip hop and Commercial, having studied these for many years.
Joe Kennedy
Programme Coordinator - Dance for Commercial Performance
Joe trained at Italia Conti and worked for a number of years as a professional dancer. His credits include: Tap Specialist in Night of the Dance (Germany), Spirit of the Dance (UK Tour), Tap Specialist in Hot Legs (European Tour), Peter Pan (Millfield Theatre) and performances with Headliners Theatre Company on-board the P&O Aurora. He has also performed at a number of high profile corporate events and in adverts for Film 4, Pringles and Ford Mondeo. Joe has an MA in Dance Technique Pedagogy and holds his Fellowship Modern and Licentiate Tap with the ISTD. He has taught and choreographed jazz, tap and contemporary for a number of professional colleges including Creative Academy, Italia Conti, Morea Performing Arts, Brit School, CPA Studios and D&B College. He now teaches at a number of schools and colleges across the south west.
Sylvia Lane
Section Lead - Performance
Sylvia is currently the HE Section Leader Performance at University Centre Weston (UCW). She oversees the BA Hons degrees in Musical Theatre, Performing Arts and Dance for Commercial Performance which are validated by Bath Spa University.
Sylvia holds a graduate diploma in Musical Theatre and Theatre Dance from the London Studio Centre, a PGCE from Bath Spa University and most recently, completed a MA Professional Practice in Higher Education at Bath Spa University.
She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is an accomplished singing/voice coach but also teaches ballet and jazz technique, fitness, physical theatre and movement for theatrical practice. Sylvia regularly attends industry events to keep up to date with recent developments and has many high profile connections in the world of show business. Sylvia has over 20 years’ experience on the professional stage as a singer, dancer and actor. Originally from Munich, her career began with the Munich National Opera and credits include Lead Dancer/Singer for “Spirit of the Dance”, roles in tours including “A Chorus Line”, “Chicago”, “Starting here, Starting now”, “West Side Story”; she performed as Lead Production Singer on major cruise ships, and appeared in TV programmes and dance videos internationally.
Joe Miller
Lecturer - Performing Arts
Joe made the career move from professional dancer to lecturer in 2018 by joining the team at UCW and Weston College. Joe made his professional debut in “Spirit of the Dance” in 1999 and danced the lead of role of Danny Boy, soon taking on the role of Dance Captain, Company Manager, Choreographer and Resident Director for Spirit Productions Ltd. Other performance credits include: “Broadway! A Star Spangled Celebration” (USA), “One World” (UK Tour), “The Osmond’s Christmas Spectacular” (USA), “Tap Dance Fever” (Israel Tour), “Red Hot Broadway” (China Tour), “New Jersey Nights” (UK, Australian and China Tour), “The 12 Tenors” (China Tour), “Shake, Rattle n’ Roll” (USA), “Hooray for Hollywood” (USA) and “Spirit of the Dance” (World Tour), amongst many others. Joe has worked with a variety of celebrities during his career such as Dolly Parton, Tom Jones, Pink and Barbara Windsor and has also choreographed and featured on “The X-Factor” (Israel). Choreography credits include: “Sister Act the Musical” (Theatre Royal, Windsor), “Spirit of the Dance” (World Tour), “A Christmas Carol” (Theatre Royal, Windsor) and “Revolution” (Israel Arena Tour).
Since becoming a lecturer at UCW, Joe has excelled in his teaching qualifications and is thrilled to be able to pass on his skills and knowledge
Abigail Green
Lecturer - Voice, Performing Arts and Musical Theatre
Abigail is currently Head of Voice and Singing at University Centre Weston (UCW). Abigail teaches on the BA Hons degrees in Musical Theatre, Dance for Commercial Performance and Acting and Performance Making. Abigail has also worked as a guest lecturer at other institutions around the UK. Abigail is currently studying for her Doctor of Education focusing on the vocal education of performing undergraduates. Abigail holds a BEd Mus (Hons) from the University of Plymouth, a MEd from the University of the West of England and is an Estill Master Trainer (EMT). She is also a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and the British Voice Association.
Abigail is a self-confessed voice anorak, with a passion for the human voice and its development. Abigail is fascinated by vocal research and vocal scientific developments and regularly attends and presents her research at courses, summits and symposiums in both the UK, Europe and Australia. Abigail is committed to instilling confidence in her students and believe everyone can sing; it is just a matter of giving them the tools to do so!
Eloise Hodder
Programme Coordinator - Performing Arts
Eloise Hodder is the HE Programme Co-ordinator for BA (Hons) Performing Arts - Acting at University Centre Weston (UCW). Eloise delivers on the BA Hons degree in Performing Arts which is validated by Bath Spa University. Eloise also works as a guest lecturer and examiner both nationally and internationally encompassing a range of institutions from The Brit School, to consultant Actor/Director at L’Ecole d’Architecture Universite de Montreal.
Eloise trained as an actor and holds BA (Hons) from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (Franchise University of South Wales) and has a Postgraduate Diploma from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Applied Theatre specialising in Directing. Eloise is also a member of Royal Academy of Dance and the Institute for Learning.
Eloise is an actor, director, interdisciplinary performer and educator. She has worked as the director/creator of Trapped (Donmar and Endeavour), received the Jack Petchey Youth Community Project Award for Delicate Rose tour and has been nominated for a Royal Television Society Award for Gannin’ Yem. Eloise has been an Education Associate for the Donmar, Bush Theatre and Michael Grandage Theatre Company.
Kyle Davies
Programme Co-ordinator - Acting and Musical Theatre
Kyle has worked extensively as a freelance director in the US and UK and is the associate director of the State of Play Theatre. Recent directing credits include A Christmas Carol starring Paul Nicholas at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool; Puss in Boots and Cinderella at the York Theatre Royal’s De Grey Ballroom; The Fantasist’s Waltz, The Revenge of Mr Trout! and The Unholy Trinity for the State of Play Theatre; and RashDash’s The Ugly Sisters at the Soho Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse. In New York, his work as a director includes the development and world premiere reading of Howard Emanuel’s Last Supper, Survived By… at Theatre for a New City, and the creation of the cabaret review There Goes the Ballgame: The Music of Kander and Ebb for two of New York’s preeminent cabaret venues, The Duplex and Don’t Tell Mama’s.
Kyle worked as an assistant director on the Emmy Award-winning production of Sondheim’s Passion, and his direction on The Ugly Sisters was nominated for a Total Theatre Award in 2012.
Along with receiving a B.F.A in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University, he attended L’Ecole Internationale de Theatre Jacques Lecoq in Paris and is also a graduate of their Laboratoire d’Étude du Mouvement.
Craig Logue
Technician - Performing Arts
Craig is our Performing Arts technician. He has always had a keen interest in Music and lighting technology and holds a BSc in Media technology and an MSc in advanced audio production, both from the University of South Wales. Craig has previous experience as a performer, releasing his own music via Spotify and iTunes among others as well as working in event production for a large Canadian AV company.
Student Spotlight
Meet our team
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Adrian Harris
Lecturer in Acting and Performance Making
Adrian is an actor, director and writer. He trained as an actor at ALRA London (Academy of Live and Recorded Arts) and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Acting from ALRA, a National Certificate in Acting from Trinity College London, and a LAMDA Gold Medal in Acting. He has worked extensively across film and TV, including 25 episodes of BBC’s Casualty as series regular paramedic Norman Burnton, as well as featured roles in shows including Coronation Street, Waking the Dead, Three Girls, Clone, Episodes, Doctors, The Outlaws and This England for SKY Atlantic, and feature films Sideshow and Crowhurst. In theatre Adrian has worked for the Tobacco Factory, Bristol Old Vic, Swan Theatre and has toured the UK in productions of Hamlet and Twelfth Night. Adrian is also the creator and artistic director of Brass Works Theatre, originally a 90-seat venue in South Gloucestershire, and now a freelance producing company.
As a writer, Adrian has a Master’s Degree (with Merit) in Screenwriting from Royal Holloway University of London, where he is a regular lecturer at their annual spring retreat. He was a committee member of Southwest Scriptwriters teaching workshops and developing new work.
Rachel Hickie
Programme Coordinator - Dance for Commercial Performance
Rachel is currently the Program Co Ordinator for the Dance for Commercial Performance BA(hons) at UCW. She lecturers in dance and musical theatre, specialising in commercial. She has a Bsc(hons) degree in psychology and a MA in human resource management, specialising in training and development, from the University of the West of England. Whilst studying she found her passion for teaching, choreographing for their street dance competitions crews and winning coach of the year at her university in 2013. She had worked for a variety of university both nationally and internationally. She is an experienced choreographer, now teaching a number of competition teams who compete across the country. Her choreography has brought back many 1st place trophies over the years including at BDO, UDO and SDI street dance competitions. Her routines have also qualified for both World Championships and European Championships on a number of occasions across many competition organisations. Rachel teaches a variety of dance styles in educational contexts, including experience teaching a dance curriculum in schools. She is specialised in Waacking, House, Popping, Dancehall, Hip hop and Commercial, having studied these for many years.
Joe Kennedy
Programme Coordinator - Dance for Commercial Performance
Joe trained at Italia Conti and worked for a number of years as a professional dancer. His credits include: Tap Specialist in Night of the Dance (Germany), Spirit of the Dance (UK Tour), Tap Specialist in Hot Legs (European Tour), Peter Pan (Millfield Theatre) and performances with Headliners Theatre Company on-board the P&O Aurora. He has also performed at a number of high profile corporate events and in adverts for Film 4, Pringles and Ford Mondeo. Joe has an MA in Dance Technique Pedagogy and holds his Fellowship Modern and Licentiate Tap with the ISTD. He has taught and choreographed jazz, tap and contemporary for a number of professional colleges including Creative Academy, Italia Conti, Morea Performing Arts, Brit School, CPA Studios and D&B College. He now teaches at a number of schools and colleges across the south west.
Sylvia Lane
Section Lead - Performance
Sylvia is currently the HE Section Leader Performance at University Centre Weston (UCW). She oversees the BA Hons degrees in Musical Theatre, Performing Arts and Dance for Commercial Performance which are validated by Bath Spa University.
Sylvia holds a graduate diploma in Musical Theatre and Theatre Dance from the London Studio Centre, a PGCE from Bath Spa University and most recently, completed a MA Professional Practice in Higher Education at Bath Spa University.
She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is an accomplished singing/voice coach but also teaches ballet and jazz technique, fitness, physical theatre and movement for theatrical practice. Sylvia regularly attends industry events to keep up to date with recent developments and has many high profile connections in the world of show business. Sylvia has over 20 years’ experience on the professional stage as a singer, dancer and actor. Originally from Munich, her career began with the Munich National Opera and credits include Lead Dancer/Singer for “Spirit of the Dance”, roles in tours including “A Chorus Line”, “Chicago”, “Starting here, Starting now”, “West Side Story”; she performed as Lead Production Singer on major cruise ships, and appeared in TV programmes and dance videos internationally.
Joe Miller
Lecturer - Performing Arts
Joe made the career move from professional dancer to lecturer in 2018 by joining the team at UCW and Weston College. Joe made his professional debut in “Spirit of the Dance” in 1999 and danced the lead of role of Danny Boy, soon taking on the role of Dance Captain, Company Manager, Choreographer and Resident Director for Spirit Productions Ltd. Other performance credits include: “Broadway! A Star Spangled Celebration” (USA), “One World” (UK Tour), “The Osmond’s Christmas Spectacular” (USA), “Tap Dance Fever” (Israel Tour), “Red Hot Broadway” (China Tour), “New Jersey Nights” (UK, Australian and China Tour), “The 12 Tenors” (China Tour), “Shake, Rattle n’ Roll” (USA), “Hooray for Hollywood” (USA) and “Spirit of the Dance” (World Tour), amongst many others. Joe has worked with a variety of celebrities during his career such as Dolly Parton, Tom Jones, Pink and Barbara Windsor and has also choreographed and featured on “The X-Factor” (Israel). Choreography credits include: “Sister Act the Musical” (Theatre Royal, Windsor), “Spirit of the Dance” (World Tour), “A Christmas Carol” (Theatre Royal, Windsor) and “Revolution” (Israel Arena Tour).
Since becoming a lecturer at UCW, Joe has excelled in his teaching qualifications and is thrilled to be able to pass on his skills and knowledge
Abigail Green
Lecturer - Voice, Performing Arts and Musical Theatre
Abigail is currently Head of Voice and Singing at University Centre Weston (UCW). Abigail teaches on the BA Hons degrees in Musical Theatre, Dance for Commercial Performance and Acting and Performance Making. Abigail has also worked as a guest lecturer at other institutions around the UK. Abigail is currently studying for her Doctor of Education focusing on the vocal education of performing undergraduates. Abigail holds a BEd Mus (Hons) from the University of Plymouth, a MEd from the University of the West of England and is an Estill Master Trainer (EMT). She is also a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and the British Voice Association.
Abigail is a self-confessed voice anorak, with a passion for the human voice and its development. Abigail is fascinated by vocal research and vocal scientific developments and regularly attends and presents her research at courses, summits and symposiums in both the UK, Europe and Australia. Abigail is committed to instilling confidence in her students and believe everyone can sing; it is just a matter of giving them the tools to do so!
Eloise Hodder
Programme Coordinator - Performing Arts
Eloise Hodder is the HE Programme Co-ordinator for BA (Hons) Performing Arts - Acting at University Centre Weston (UCW). Eloise delivers on the BA Hons degree in Performing Arts which is validated by Bath Spa University. Eloise also works as a guest lecturer and examiner both nationally and internationally encompassing a range of institutions from The Brit School, to consultant Actor/Director at L’Ecole d’Architecture Universite de Montreal.
Eloise trained as an actor and holds BA (Hons) from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (Franchise University of South Wales) and has a Postgraduate Diploma from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Applied Theatre specialising in Directing. Eloise is also a member of Royal Academy of Dance and the Institute for Learning.
Eloise is an actor, director, interdisciplinary performer and educator. She has worked as the director/creator of Trapped (Donmar and Endeavour), received the Jack Petchey Youth Community Project Award for Delicate Rose tour and has been nominated for a Royal Television Society Award for Gannin’ Yem. Eloise has been an Education Associate for the Donmar, Bush Theatre and Michael Grandage Theatre Company.
Kyle Davies
Programme Co-ordinator - Acting and Musical Theatre
Kyle has worked extensively as a freelance director in the US and UK and is the associate director of the State of Play Theatre. Recent directing credits include A Christmas Carol starring Paul Nicholas at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool; Puss in Boots and Cinderella at the York Theatre Royal’s De Grey Ballroom; The Fantasist’s Waltz, The Revenge of Mr Trout! and The Unholy Trinity for the State of Play Theatre; and RashDash’s The Ugly Sisters at the Soho Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse. In New York, his work as a director includes the development and world premiere reading of Howard Emanuel’s Last Supper, Survived By… at Theatre for a New City, and the creation of the cabaret review There Goes the Ballgame: The Music of Kander and Ebb for two of New York’s preeminent cabaret venues, The Duplex and Don’t Tell Mama’s.
Kyle worked as an assistant director on the Emmy Award-winning production of Sondheim’s Passion, and his direction on The Ugly Sisters was nominated for a Total Theatre Award in 2012.
Along with receiving a B.F.A in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University, he attended L’Ecole Internationale de Theatre Jacques Lecoq in Paris and is also a graduate of their Laboratoire d’Étude du Mouvement.
Craig Logue
Technician - Performing Arts
Craig is our Performing Arts technician. He has always had a keen interest in Music and lighting technology and holds a BSc in Media technology and an MSc in advanced audio production, both from the University of South Wales. Craig has previous experience as a performer, releasing his own music via Spotify and iTunes among others as well as working in event production for a large Canadian AV company.
Meet our Team
Got a question
Contact us
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Prepare yourself to be a ‘triple threat’ musical theatre performer as you train in the disciplines of acting, singing and dancing while exploring the traditions and contemporary practices of musical theatre on stage and screen.
This course aims to develop versatile, imaginative and employable performers and will instil in you the skills needed to flourish both on and off the stage. You will enhance your practical skills in acting, singing, movement and dance, and also gain an understanding of the theatre industry and how to market yourself and secure professional roles or succeed in related fields.
As well as developing your artistry and creativity, you will gain an understanding of core musical theatre disciplines from a theoretical perspective by examining their key practitioners and pieces.
A host of industry experts contribute to this course alongside our experienced lecturers with specialist workshops and guest lectures. These have included working with some of the most exciting writers, directors, agents, actors and dancers from both the UK and abroad.
On this course you will also benefit from being part of Creative Arts Weston. Here you will join our exciting and passionate creative community, and you will be perfectly placed to join the arts industry, leading the way as part of the next creative generation.
Although this is a Bath Spa University programme it is delivered here at UCW, if you would like to find out more about this programme or apply to it, please click here.
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