BA in Musical Theatre
Five great reasons to consider this course
- This course offers the opportunity to study and engage with the three central tenets of musical theatre: singing, acting and dancing.
- Students will develop their skills through a range of diverse performance opportunities.
- Graduates will be able to progress confidently to a variety of careers in the creative industries.
- This course will allow you to develop your passion for musical theatre whilst gaining a valuable third-level qualification.
- After completing the BA in Musical theatre, students can continue their training and obtain a Level 8 (Hons) degree by applying to the 1-year BA (Hons) in Drama and Performance.
Course Summary
This three-year degree course provides essential and comprehensive training in the three tenets of musical theatre, namely acting, singing and dancing, alongside academic modules that provide a strong theoretical framework to lead to a well-rounded graduate.
The programme provides essential and comprehensive training in the three tenets of musical theatre, namely acting, singing and dancing, alongside academic modules that provide a strong theoretical framework to lead to a well-rounded graduate. Students will undertake skills development in the use of the voice for both sung and spoken word, and the use of the body for dance and drama, leading to creative modules in choreography and improvisation. The modules have been designed to have a clear progression through each of the three years culminating in musical theatre productions in year three.
Particular attention is given to training students for the professional world. This includes preparation for auditions, creating audition portfolios and meeting with active directors and producers.
Year 1
Semester 1
- Creative Collaborative Development
- Introduction to Musical Theatre Studies and Research Skills
- Introduction to Theatre Practice
- Freeing the Voice
- Introduction to Movement
- Music Theory and Aural Skills for Musical Theatre 1
Semester 2
- Variety and Vaudeville
- Intermediate Acting for Musical Theatre
- Vocal Skills
- Intermediate Movement
- Music Theory and Aural Skills for Musical Theatre 2
Year 2
Semester 1
- History of Musical Theatre: American Musicals
- Advanced Acting for Musical Theatre
- Introduction to Dance
- Intermediate Vocal class
- Improvisation
Semester 2
- History of Musical Theatre: European Musicals
- Historic Acting Styles for Musical Theatre
- Intermediate Dance
- Advanced Vocal class
- Acting the song
Year 3
Semester 1
- Contemporary Musical Theatre
- Contemporary Theatre and Practice
- Performance Project
- Advanced Dance and Movement
- Voice, Repertoire and Audition
Semester 2
- Musical Theatre Performance
- Performance Analysis and Criticism
- Professional Practice
* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only.
Graduates of the course may pursure career opportunities in the following areas:
- Performing, producing, directing and marketing musical theatre
- Teaching in schools (on completion of relevant postgraduate training)
- Teaching privately and with community musical theatre groups
- Broadcasting and journalism
- Community arts employment
- Arts administration
It is envisaged that a new add-on year, offering the qualification of BA (Hons) in Drama, will be available from 2020
Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
→ INCLUDING At least one H5 Grade, OR Minimum Points Score of 200
→ AND Mathematics Grade F2, O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7
→ Candidates must also pass an audition
(A similar audition process will be utilised for those who apply through the CAO Change of Mind facility.)
Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:
Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 5 different subjects which must include:
→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C or better)
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C or better)
→ One subject at:
- 'A Level’ (Grade A* - E or better)
- OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - E)
- OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
- OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
→ The remaining subjects must be different from those listed above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:
- GCSE (Grade A* - C)
- AND/OR 'AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
- AND/OR ‘A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
- AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
- AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
- AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
→ Candidates must also pass an audition. (See further details and audition repertoire in 'Audition Information' below.)
Audition + Entry Process
- Audition and interview
- Confirmation of results (Leaving Certificate or equivalent in the case of applicants to year 1, and evidence of prior certified learning in the case of applicants to all other years). We welcome applications from mature students.
Year 1 Entry
Once DkIT receives the list of applicants from CAO, all candidates will receive a letter/email from the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music inviting them to attend an interview/audition.
Interviews will take place at Ceol Oirghialla, Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music, Carroll Building, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth. [Please note that DkIT operates a pay parking system on campus.]
Auditions will take place in Late March/Early April each year. If an applicant has not received a letter from DkIT by early March, please contact 042 9370280immediately.
Enclosed with the letter of invitation will be an application form which must be filled in and returned to the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music to confirm interview time. Applicants are encouraged to arrive early for their scheduled interview and warm-up facilities are available in the building. [Failure to confirm attendance at interview may result in the applicant’s interview/audition time offered to another applicant and applicants who do not confirm their attendance will be deemed to have withdrawn. The audition panel reserves the right to move to the next candidate and if time permits the panel may facilitate candidates who have not confirmed attendance at a later time that day]
DkIT will not provide an accompanist for the audition and students are encouraged to bring their own. The use of backing tracks is also permitted. A piano, PA and speaker system will be available on the day of the interview.
Programme for all interview days
- Performance: The applicant will perform a choice of two contrasting songs from the list provided by DkIT (see list below). The audition/interview panel reserves the right to hear all or part of any work presented. Applicants are encouraged to perform in the mode of musical theatre and to integrate expression, dance and movement as appropriate.
- General questions and discussion: The informal interview is aimed at establishing the student’s interest in and commitment to a career in musical theatre. Applicants will also have an opportunity to ask questions about the programme.
Audition Repertoire
- I Am What I Am - Les Cages Aux Folles
- Remember Me - Prince of Egypt
- If I Were a Rich Man - Fiddler on the Roof
- On the Streets Where you Live – My Fair Lady
- Maria – West Side Story
- Where is the Life – Kiss me Kate
- If I loved You – Carousel
- Mister Cellophane – Chicago
- Put on a Happy Face – Bye, Bye Birdie
- Luck be a Lady - Guys and Dolls
- Miracle of Miracles - Fiddler on the Roof
- All I Care About is Love – Chicago
- On My Own - Les Miserables
- I Am What I Am - Les Cages
- Losing my Mind - Follies
- Still Hurting - The Last 5 Years
- Pulled - The Addams Family
- Nothing - A Chorus Line
- Home - Beauty and the Beast
- Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Phantom of the Opera
- I Feel Pretty – West Side Story
- Green Finch and Linnet Bird – Sweeney Todd
- Popular -Wicked
- Girl in 14 g – Tesori-Scanlan
- I Could Have Danced All Night - My Fair Lady
- 10 Minutes Ago - Cinderella
Every effort will be made to notify applicants of the outcome within four weeks of the interview. The decision of the audition panel at Dundalk Institute of Technology is final. [For those students who have been successful at interview offers will be made by the CAO in late August/early September providing those students fill the requirements for entry to a Level 7 programme at DkIT and that there are sufficient places on the programme. As the number of places on the programme is limited it will not be possible to offer all applicants a place on the programme.]
Further details regarding location and travelling to DkIT is available at www.dkit.ie/about-dkit/your-campus/getting-to-dkit.html. If you have any questions in relation to the interview/audition please contact the Programme Director Annalisa Monticelli (Annalisa.Monticelli@dkit.ie) or phone 042 9370280. Applicants who have a disability and who may require alternative arrangements for the audition/interview are advised to contact the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music in advance of the interview date so that the appropriate arrangements can be put in place where possible.
Additional information on the modules, recent performance activities, ongoing research projects and news in the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music at Dundalk Institute of Technology is available at www.dkit.ie/creative-arts-media-music.
All applicants who apply for DK771 BA Musical Theatre are acknowledging and accepting the terms and conditions associated with making an application to the programme.
- Students who have experience of participating in musical theatre productions.
- Students who are interested in developing performance skills.
- Students who want to work in the creative industries.
- This course will appeal to anyone with a love for musical theatre.
Annalisa Monticelli (Programme Director)
Phone: +353 42 9370200
Email: annalisa.monticelli@dkit.ie
| Course ID | DK771 |
| Course Type | Undergraduate |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Level | 7 |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Starting Date | September 2023 |
| School | School of Informatics & Creative Arts |
| Department | Creative Arts, Media and Music |
| Awarding Body | Dundalk Institute of Technology |
| Delivery Method | On Campus |
How To Apply
Apply on CAO
All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:
Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications
Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry onto their chosen course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.
