Acting
Acting lies at the heart of every good Musical Theatre Performance. In your Foundation year at Associated Studios Australia you will learn how to build your understanding of how to reach your acting potential. You will do this through working with Directors, Voice Teachers, Writers and Actors/Acting Practitioners who will use a range of classes and techniques to help you discover how to harness the power of drama.
Areas of Work Include:
- Improvisation
- Text Class: Including work on the seminal classical and contemporary playwrights which may include Shakespeare, Chekov, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Pinter and David Hare.
- Acting Technique: Looking at the approach of practitioners such as Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Stella Adler, Stanford Meisner and Mike Alfreds. You will create a tool-box of techniques you can draw on to create a truthful performance.
- Monologues: You will explore how to choose and perform monologues suitable for acting and musical theatre auditions.
- Voice classes: Voice work includes learning the basic techniques of the actors voice such as: Resonance, Articulation, ‘Forward Placement’, Breath Control and work on accents.
- Scene Study: Putting your technical skills into practice, you will work on scenes from set plays with a director.
Singing and Music
The study of singing and music is fundamental to developing into a professional Musical Theatre Artist. The Foundation year is about understanding your singing voice and building the strength and flexibility required to perform 8 times a week. You will also develop your versatility for approaching different styles of Musical Theatre from ‘legit’ classical MT and Operetta through to Contemporary Musicals and Pop/Rock. You will work with a number of Musical Directors, Singing Teachers, Directors, Movement Directors, Vocal Coaches and Composers.
Areas of Work Include:
- Vocal Technique: You will build the vocal, physical and mental strength, flexibility and stamina required to succeed in the competitive singing industry, through establishing a rigorous practice regime.
- 1-to-1 Singing Technique: Work individually with a singing teacher on a regular basis throughout your training.
- Repertoire: Learn how to find appropriate songs from across the breadth of the Musical Theatre genre. Understand how to cut and present sheet music for professional auditions.
- Vocal Performance: Work with Musical, Movement and Acting Directors to develop your individual performance by acting through song.
- Audition Technique: Working with Musical Directors, Agents and Casting Directors you will gain greater understanding of the techniques behind successful singing auditions for further study, including how to cut for 32-bar auditions.
- Musical Theatre History: You will learn the history of the rise and development of Musical Theatre. This will allow you to contextualise your work effectively and build your working knowledge of Musical Theatre writers, composers and styles.
- Performance Confidence: Work through the common problems of anxiety and lack of confidence in a safe, nurturing environment.
Dance and Movement
Building your understanding of dance and movement will underpin the physical work required for the other disciplines. We stream our dance classes to allow you to work at the level suitable for your current experience and skill level. Dance classes aim to bring you up to the standard required to successfully audition for further full-time training. As well as undertaking work to condition your body to be at its peak fitness, you will learn to use your technique to adapt into different dance styles and genres, learning how to connect your acting to your movement and vice versa. You will work with a range of Dance Practitioners, Choreographers and Movement experts on a wide range of classes to give you a rounded experience through your year.
Areas of Work May Include:
- Dance Technique: You will work on a range of dance techniques from Ballet to Jazz and Contemporary Dance. Building your language of the body and how to use it.
- Musical Theatre Routine: Working with choreographers and current industry performers, you will explore the different styles and genres of dance and movement within the world of Musical Theatre which may include work inspired by choreographers and practitioners including: Agnes de Mille, Bob Fosse, Gene Kelly, Michael Bennett, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp and Matthew Bourne.
- Movement Practice: You will build your strength, flexibility and stamina by using body conditioning practices which may include: Cardio, Pilates, Yoga and Alexander Technique.
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Industry
Industry classes at Associated Studios Australia are given throughout the course of your study. We are incredibly proud of the strong links we have within the wider theatre industry and through your training you will come into contact with a number of different agents and casting directors, as well as visiting directors, choreographers and musicals directors currently working in the industry both nationally and internationally:
- Casting Workshops: Including sessions with Agents, Casting Directors and Industry experts
- Marketing: Teaching you the skills necessary to become an independent professional performer including: How to write a good industry standard CV, getting your head shots right, writing to agents and understanding theatre terminology.
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Projects
There are many projects throughout the year which aim to build the other tools you will require to succeed in the professional Musical Theatre Industry. Some of these are listed below:
- New Writing: Work with leading contemporary theatre composers on new musicals.
- Open Mic: Participation in monthly nights in Melbourne is encouraged in order for you to perform and hone your skills in a public arena.
*Please note all course content is subject to change.
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To Apply
AUDITIONS
There is a $50 audition fee to cover the cost of the panel and accompanist. The fee must be paid in advance of your audition to complete your application.
Please note that this fee is non-refundable.
FEES and FINANCE
- Following acceptance of an offer to join the course, the deposit for the course is 25% of the full fee
- Course fees may be paid in quarterly or monthly instalments. Each termly fee is due one month before the beginning of term.
We are partnered with Study Loans to help students with course fees – click here to find out more
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