Undergraduate
Application Method
Direct & Audition
€9500
Duration
2 Years (Full-time)
€7500
Location
Dublin
Performing Arts
Start Month
September
Course Detail
Course Schedule
Course Requirements
Course Skills
Useful Links
Fees
Course Detail
The two-year Associate of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre offers a conservatory and holistic approach to musical theatre training, one that not only concentrates on a participatory performance perspective but also prepares students for a wide and exciting range of careers available in the performing arts industry.
While performance remains an integral component of the program, students are also prepared for the vast array of work that supports and produces performance, such as directing and staging, creating written material for performance, production, management, marketing and funding of the performing arts. The program is based around live theatrical performance, whilst also preparing graduates for further study in all cognate specialisms in musical theatre, as well as the required preparation skills for the professional industry.
In this two-year program, students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of Acting, Music and Dance techniques. Students are given the opportunity to put these techniques together in weekly production classes which are showcased to the public at the end of the academic calendar.
The program also serves as preparation for students to matriculate onto the third year of ACD’s BFA in Musical Theatre or Performing Arts, or onto other bachelor programs in the performing or liberal arts and related areas.
While performance remains an integral component of the program, students are also prepared for the vast array of work that supports and produces performance, such as directing and staging, creating written material for performance, production, management, marketing and funding of the performing arts. The program is based around live theatrical performance, whilst also preparing graduates for further study in all cognate specialisms in musical theatre, as well as the required preparation skills for the professional industry.
In this two-year program, students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of Acting, Music and Dance techniques. Students are given the opportunity to put these techniques together in weekly production classes which are showcased to the public at the end of the academic calendar.
The program also serves as preparation for students to matriculate onto the third year of ACD’s BFA in Musical Theatre or Performing Arts, or onto other bachelor programs in the performing or liberal arts and related areas.
Course Schedule
The program’s structure combines conservatory training and academic classroom modules. Approximately two-thirds of total weekly contact hours consist of modules devoted to practical aspects of performance. Students are tutored in the required musical theatre modules -Music, Dance and Acting respectively, including private weekly tuition in vocal technique and vocal repertory. Student’s progress involves the development and accumulation of material for a portfolio which provides evidence of their achievement of the program’s required learning outcomes and functions as a basis for individual assessment. The remaining one-third of weekly contact hours concentrates on class-based academic instruction that supports and contextualises the ascending levels of practical training and includes such subjects as theatre history, performance theory, drama and politics, creative writing, management and marketing.
Throughout the two years of this program, students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of Acting, Music and Dance techniques.
Please note that the full details of courses are available in the Course Catalogue (found on the Useful Links tab).
Throughout the two years of this program, students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of Acting, Music and Dance techniques.
Please note that the full details of courses are available in the Course Catalogue (found on the Useful Links tab).
Acting modules explore technical perspectives and development through the study of the Stanislavski, Laban and Meisner techniques. The practical actor training module of this unique program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to emerge as a successful professionally trained actor for the stage and screen. The program is a comprehensive cross-methodology program that supplies the practitioner with the tools to apply the craft of acting physically, vocally and intellectually. The current musical theatre industry is competitive, with “triple threat” demands on the artist auditioning for roles. American College Dublin’s musical theatre program ensures that each student receives the necessary training, skills and techniques to reach professional standards, whilst ensuring that their training in acting is not diminished or compromised.
In the Music modules, there is a strong emphasis on acquiring a Legitimate Vocal technique and learning about the overall Health and Care of the Voice in the first year, which feeds into respective modules in Vocal Repertoire, Vocal Technique, Voice and Phonetics and Acting through Song. Each student’s talent is nurtured with a strong emphasis on maintaining individual vocal qualities and characteristics while extending range, accuracy in pitch, developing resonance, good breath control, support and stamina. Confidence building is a strong ethos which runs throughout the respective modules, creating a safe environment to make mistakes and in turn develop as a person and performer. Continuous assessment, performance projects, Master Classes and workshops with guest international tutors are some of the many tools used as part of the conservatory training throughout this program.
In year one, students are introduced to fundamental concepts of dance and movement. Dance foundational skills include a broad introduction to Musical Theatre dance styles; the development of Classical Ballet, Jazz ballet, Ensemble Improvisation and Body.
Awareness-Classical Ballet foundation (Cecchetti method – Italian style),
Jazz Ballet Foundation (Jack Cole method, Gillian Lynn method, Bob Fosse style),
Musical Theatre Dance Styles (Legit) Foundation,
Movement Ensemble Improvisation/Spatial Awareness,
Movement Vocabulary/Theory of Dance,
Body Conditioning/Pilates
All are taught through the parallel system (MMD Method).
In year two, the focus shifts increasingly towards application development of the skills learnt in the first year, with the addition of tap dance/rhythm and contemporary dance-Classical Ballet continuation (Cecchetti method – Italian style), Jazz Ballet continuation (Jack Cole method, Gillian Lynn method, Bob Fosse style), Musical Theatre dance styles (Legit) continuation, Movement Ensemble Improvisation, Movement Vocabulary/Theory of Dance, Body Conditioning/Pilates, Tap Dance/Rhythm introduction, Contemporary Dance (Martha Graham method) introduction, Commercial Dance style, and an understanding of Dance History.
Awareness-Classical Ballet foundation (Cecchetti method – Italian style),
Jazz Ballet Foundation (Jack Cole method, Gillian Lynn method, Bob Fosse style),
Musical Theatre Dance Styles (Legit) Foundation,
Movement Ensemble Improvisation/Spatial Awareness,
Movement Vocabulary/Theory of Dance,
Body Conditioning/Pilates
All are taught through the parallel system (MMD Method).
In year two, the focus shifts increasingly towards application development of the skills learnt in the first year, with the addition of tap dance/rhythm and contemporary dance-Classical Ballet continuation (Cecchetti method – Italian style), Jazz Ballet continuation (Jack Cole method, Gillian Lynn method, Bob Fosse style), Musical Theatre dance styles (Legit) continuation, Movement Ensemble Improvisation, Movement Vocabulary/Theory of Dance, Body Conditioning/Pilates, Tap Dance/Rhythm introduction, Contemporary Dance (Martha Graham method) introduction, Commercial Dance style, and an understanding of Dance History.
Course Requirements
Curious about what it takes to join this course? Check out the admission criteria below:
Applicants must obtain an Irish Level 5 Leaving Certificate.
In addition to completing an application online, an interview and audition are required for entry to the program. For the audition, applicants should prepare two spoken monologues: one classic and one modern; two contrasting musical theatre songs: one must be pre-1965; and partake in a dance assessment.
In addition to completing an application online, an interview and audition are required for entry to the program. For the audition, applicants should prepare two spoken monologues: one classic and one modern; two contrasting musical theatre songs: one must be pre-1965; and partake in a dance assessment.
Applicants must obtain an Irish FE Level 5 or Level 6 award.
In addition to completing an application online, an interview and audition are required for entry to the program. For the audition, applicants should prepare two spoken monologues: one classic and one modern; two contrasting musical theatre songs: one must be pre-1965; and partake in a dance assessment.
In addition to completing an application online, an interview and audition are required for entry to the program. For the audition, applicants should prepare two spoken monologues: one classic and one modern; two contrasting musical theatre songs: one must be pre-1965; and partake in a dance assessment.
Applicants must obtain a higher secondary education diploma.
In addition to completing an application online, an interview and audition are required for entry to the program. For the audition, applicants should prepare two spoken monologues: one classic and one modern; two contrasting musical theatre songs: one must be pre-1965; and partake in a dance assessment.
In addition to completing an application online, an interview and audition are required for entry to the program. For the audition, applicants should prepare two spoken monologues: one classic and one modern; two contrasting musical theatre songs: one must be pre-1965; and partake in a dance assessment.
An English language certificate may also be required, please review our English language policy [HYPERLINK to https://acd.iamu.edu/admissions/ ].
Course Skills
Along with the academic knowledge students receive throughout their program, they will also acquire and develop transferable career skills from their degree discipline.
These skills include:
Communication
Writing skills
Creativity
Effective presentation techniques
Management, marketing and fundraising abilities
Interpretational and compositional competency with written texts
Organisational skills
Research skills
Time management
These are applicable not only in the context of the many career paths within performing arts but also in a wide variety of social, cultural and business vocations.
Useful Links
The Course Catalog
Quality Assurance Manual
The Student Handbook
The Return to Title IV Policy
The SAP Policy
Student_Information
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Policy
Erasmus Charter for Higher Education
Quality Assurance Manual
The Student Handbook
The Return to Title IV Policy
The SAP Policy
Student_Information
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Policy
Erasmus Charter for Higher Education
Fees
EU students: €7500
Non-EU students: €9500
Non-EU students: €9500
EU students and students who do not require a Stamp 2 study visa are eligible to pay in installments. A payment plan can be arranged once a student is admitted to the program.
Have some questions about this course?
Interested in enrolling on a course with us, but need more information? Fill the form below to receive personalized answers to your questions.
