Our Musical Theatre Classes for Beginners will introduce you to the fundamental techniques needed to perform on the West End stage, and is the perfect way to explore the magic of musicals.
We select the repertoire from the popular musical theatre canon exploring work from composers including Boublil and Schöenberg, Kander and Ebb - and many more.
Musical theatre classes are taught in a fun an d supportive environment so don’t worry if you feel a bit nervous. Most of the time you will be singing in a group, although if you do want to leap into the spotlight there's the opportunity for some solos too!
MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS - COURSE CONTENT
Exact content may differ depending on students' needs and course duration, but topics generally covered include:
- Vocal and physical warm ups to work on Musical Theatre technique
- Integrate singing, dance and acting
- Introduction to fundamental techniques and application to song and dance routines
- Learn vocal and acting through song material - repertoire includes At The End of The Day, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables and Do You Hear the People Sing (Les Miserables) and All That - Jazz (Chicago)
- Learn dance material - repertoire includes You Can't Stop The Beat (Hairspray) and All That Jazz (Chicago)
- Solo masterclass focusing on Acting Through Song and vocal technique
- Rehearse and hone material before an informal showcase to friends and family
You'll receive friendly feedback throughout the course and will be taught by a variety of tutors from our Musical Theatre department. Any material covered within the class, will also be available online, to be accessed and practised at home during the course.
Our 5 day Dance Foundation course is ideal for those looking for more intensive training and wishing to build a solid foundation in dance technique.
During the course you will raise your performance ability and further your knowledge across a variety of dance genres, all helping you to gain confidence to pursue future dance training.
Our intensive foundation runs five full days back to back. Each day consists of a full day of classes, which provides you with well-rounded and concentrated dance training. Our dance school has carefully formulated these classes to build a variety of skills. As an example, one day might consist of classes in:
Our Voice Over training has been designed for those who wish to gain an understanding of the voice-over industry.
If you are fascinated by the world of voice-over and interested in making a living as a professional voice-over artist, our Voice Over Skills Course with Demo Reel is the perfect for you.
You’ll be provided with a valuable insight into the industry, receive helpful advice – from getting an agent to what to expect when you get a job - and gain some recording experience.
VOICE OVER SKILLS COURSE WITH DEMO REEL
Over the duration of the voice course you will also have the opportunity to record a voice-over demo reel of two minute duration complete with music and sound design. Produced and edited to industry standard by an experienced audio engineer, this is a great opportunity for those wishing to gain access to the voiceover industry, and can be submitted to agents and voice casting professionals.
VOICE OVER SKILLS COURSE - CONTENT
Exact course content may differ according to the course length and your needs but topics covered generally include:
The Industry: an overview of how the voice over industry operates including finding work, what voice-over work involves and how to find an agent
Voice reels: analyse a variety of professional voice reels to understand requirements and develop voice skills
Variety: work practically on a variety of scripts; discover quick strategies for exploring different vocal energies, pace and range
Script Analysis: assess the appropriate characterisation of any script quickly
Recording: record and analyse yourself performing different scripts within the group
Create your own Voice-Reel with contrasting pieces for casting and agents.
Warm-Up/Vocal Health: advice and guidance on how to warm-up your voice and keeping your voice healthy
You'll receive friendly feedback throughout the voice training.
Our Improvisation - Level 2 With Showcase course is the next step on your Improvisation journey. Whether you're developing your performance skills or looking to build confidence - enjoy the unpredictability and fun of Improv.
Consolidating and expanding on the techniques gained on the Level 1 Course - you will start focusing on scene work, moving towards fun multi-scenes and complex games building up performance skills. Show off your developed performance skills to friends and family in an Improvisation Showcase at the end of the course!
To participate in this course it is necessary to have completed Improvisation – Level 1 or a similar or equivalent elsewhere. This course is not suitable for complete beginners to acting. If unsure about suitability - please contact info@city-academy.com
IMPROVISATION - LEVEL 2 WITH SHOWCASE COURSE CONTENT
Exploring a wider range of strategies and actions to build spontaneity.
- Energy and showmanship
- Confidence to follow instincts
- Responding without hesitation
- Storytelling
- Engaging with audiences
- Explore status
- Stage craft and voice projection
This series of classes continues to concentrate on the transferable benefits of Improvisation; benefits for work, social and personal interactions. Highlighting the techniques to build confidence, communication, creativity and imagination.
You will receive friendly guidance and feedback from your tutor throughout the course.
Important Note: To participate in this course it is necessary to have some experience of Improvisation, acting or performance.
Build a solid foundation in the core skills of Improv on our Improvisation Classes - Level 1.
More in-depth than our one day workshop and suitable for absolute beginners, this improvisation course will get your mind moving and energised through a series of games and exercises. You will build a creative, supportive and playful improv team.
Start learning and practicing the techniques needed to be a spontaneous and confident improviser. With a focus on short-form scene work, this course will give you the chance to discover more of your own creativity, imagination and build on your storytelling skills.
Our Singing Lessons for Beginners provide an excellent foundation for absolute beginners, as well as for those who have had some basic vocal training but want to develop their singing technique and vocal skills.
Don’t worry if you’re a little nervous - this singing course focuses on singing as a group and building your confidence. And it doesn't matter if you don't get it right first time round; it's all about practising and enjoying singing!
WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT ON SINGING LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS?
During the Level 1 course you will learn to control your voice. We will give you practical exercises to help you gain confidence using a varied repertoire - from pop to musical theatre to jazz, blues and soul.
Course content will include:
- Practising a series of varied vocal warm ups and technique exercises to improve your vocal range
- Learning about body awareness through focus on posture and alignment.
- How to develop a secure breathing technique
- Group singing and developing good listening and blending skills
- Learning how to achieve a good quality vocal performance while using your voice in a safe and healthy manner
Students will typically learn 3-6 songs during the course and will receive friendly feedback from your tutor throughout the course.
Drawing on material from the world of Musical Theatre, there's something for everyone in our Musical Theatre Singing Lessons - Level 3. The course is open to those who have completed any Singing - Level 2 classes, or equivalent, who wish to further their skills while focusing on a wide range of Musical Theatre repertoire.
This advanced level singing course digs deeper into the performance elements of these genres. You will develop more confidence in solo, ensemble and singing in harmony as well as further understanding of the origins and development of these vibrant singing genres. The course will culminate in an informal showcase of individual solos and group ensemble.
WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT ON MUSICAL THEATRE SINGING LESSONS - LEVEL 3?
The course will cover a range of carefully selected material to ensure it is challenging, varied, and above all, enjoyable.
Course content will include:
- Developing a deepened knowledge of the musical theatre genre.
- Extensive vocal warm-ups and introducing more advanced singing technique and technical terminology.
- Exploring challenging ensemble work with a focus on harmony, musicianship and dynamics.
- Solo Masterclasses - focusing on acting through song and musicianship skills with personal feedback about vocal technique, performance and style.
- Performing in an informal showcase at the end of the course.
Our Writing for Film courses explores the fundamentals of screenwriting from first idea to final draft. You will learn how to approach story, develop characters and dialogue, and to structure your ideas into a fully-fledged screenplay. Using film clips and practical writing exercises, the course also includes advice about next steps from writing treatments to pitching your work. For film buffs serious about screen writing, this crash course is essential. If you are new to writing please start by completing our Script Writing Beginners course.
WRITING FOR FILM COURSES CONTENT
- How to tell a story cinematically
- Exploring ways to build your narrative with structural analysis
- Comprehensive story breakdown using clips from existing films
- Developing your characters, dialogue and subtext
- Script doctoring for existing story ideas
- Formatting your screenplay and approaches to supporting material.
How to speak with confidence and authenticity in a North American (or Broadcast Standard) accent as well as a couple of other regional American accents This course will be taught in the college.
What is the course about?
Learn how to speak with confidence and authenticity in a North American Broadcast Standard or General American Accent. This course will give you an effective framework, based in simple Phonetics, for studying and learning a North American accent for audition or performance. Acouple of regional American accents wil be included, and the choice of these can be negotiated with the tutor.
What will we cover?
North American Broadcast Standard plus a couple of regional American accents. Knowledge of phonetics is ideal but not essential.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Break down an accent into its component parts for self-study.
Significantly increase your confidence with American accents.
Increase flexibility of articulators and improve ear training.
