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Undergraduate

BA in Musical Theatre

Develop your passion where music and emotion take centre stage.
DK771

CAO Code

DK771

Start Date

September 2025

Duration

3 Years

Work Placement

No

NFQ Level

7

Discipline Area

Music, Drama & Performance

Course Type

Undergraduate

Study Mode

Full-Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Overview

This course provides essential and comprehensive training in the three main principles of musical theatre, namely acting, singing and dancing, which are supported by academic modules which explore further understanding of the industry. Students also participate in all important performance practice and projects. 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 directors and producers.

What makes this course different

Progress to Level 8

Upon completion of this course, students may apply to progress to Year 4 of BA (Hons) Drama and Performance.

Understanding the Industry

The musical theatre industry is a vibrant world where music, dance, and storytelling collide to create unforgettable theatrical experiences. It combines the beauty of live performance with the power of music, transporting audiences to magical realms and evoking a wide range of emotions.

Career Opportunities

Future Careers:

  • Performing, producing, directing, and marketing musical theatre
  • Teaching in music/theatre/dance schools
  • Teaching community musical groups
  • Broadcasting and journalism
  • Community arts employment
  • Arts administration

Course Delivery and Modules

  • Year 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
    • Variety and Vaudeville
    • Intermediate Acting for Musical Theatre
    • Vocal Skills
    • Intermediate Movement
  • Year 2

    • History of Musical Theatre: American Musicals
    • Advanced Acting for Musical Theatre
    • Introduction to Dance
    • Intermediate Vocal class
    • Improvisation
    • History of Musical Theatre: European Musicals
    • Historic Acting Styles for Musical Theatre
    • Intermediate Dance
    • Advanced Vocal class
    • Acting the song
  • Year 3

    • Contemporary Musical Theatre
    • Contemporary Theatre and Practice
    • Performance Project
    • Advanced Dance and Movement
    • Musical Theatre Performance
    • Performance Analysis and Criticism
    • Professional Practice

Education Progression

Add On 1 Year On Campus

BA (Hons) in Drama and Performance

View Course Details

Fees and Funding

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees

Entry Requirements

In addition to the standard entry requirements below, candidates must also pass an audition (see details below). There is no Mathematics entry requirement for this course.


Audition + Entry Process

Entry to all years of BA Musical Theatre is via a two-stage 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 (advanced entry). We also welcome applications from Mature Applicants.

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 9370280 immediately.
  • Option of an Online Audition — Given the large number of international candidates and prospective students drawn from all parts of Ireland, we also offer the option of an online audition.  Where possible, this will be a live online meeting, but we are also happy to accept pre-recorded video performance submissions if preferred. Applicants who opt for an online audition/video submission will receive an email providing further guidelines on dates and requirements.
  • 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 the interview may result in the applicant’s interview/audition time being 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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" from Les Cages Aux Folles || "Remember Me" from Prince of Egypt || "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof || "On the Streets Where You Live" from My Fair Lady || "Maria" from West Side Story || "Where Is the Life" from Kiss Me Kate || "If I Loved You" from Carousel || "Mister Cellophane" from Chicago || "Put on a Happy Face" from Bye, Bye Birdie || "Luck Be a Lady" from Guys and Dolls || "Miracle of Miracles" from Fiddler on the Roof || "All I Care About Is Love" from Chicago || "On My Own" from Les Miserables || "I Am What I Am" from Les Cages || "Losing My Mind" from Follies || "Still Hurting" from The Last 5 Years || "Pulled" from The Addams Family || "Nothing" from A Chorus Line || "Home" from Beauty and the Beast || "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom of the Opera || "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story || "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" from Sweeney Todd || "Popular" from Wicked || "Girl in 14 G" from Tesori-Scanlan || "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady || "10 Minutes Ago" from 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.]

Ask us a Question

If you have a question about the BA in Musical Theatre please ask it below and we will get back to you.


Dr Georgina Hughes

Programme Director

Email: Georgina.Hughes@dkit.ie

Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).