CUA50213 Diploma of Musical Theatre
This course is an intensive year of practical study that elevates you to become a ‘triple threat’: singer, dancer and actor. Providing the rigour and skill required to get a foothold in musical theatre, the course is industry driven, delivered by practising professionals and leading tutors from the entertainment arts industry.
You will be trained to respond creatively to scripts and songs, collaborate effectively with others and make informed decisions about character interpretation. Training is practical, with an even distribution of classes in each of the disciplines of singing, dancing and acting.
You will train in ensemble and solo singing in a range of musical theatre repertoire, acting technique for both spoken and sung dialogue, and in ensemble and individual dance in a variety of styles.
The course culminates in a live showcase of your work in one of the NIDA Theatres attended by entertainment industry practitioners, producers and agents.
Online applications to study Musical Theatre at NIDA in 2021 have now closed.
NIDA encourages applications from students from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in theatre, film, television or other areas.
NIDA welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.
Videos
2019 Diploma of Musical Theatre Showcase
Tutors Luke Byrne and Natasha Crane offer offers insight into the musical theatre program, and the annual student showcase.
About the course
This course is an intensive year of practical study that trains you to become a ‘triple threat’: singer, dancer and actor. Providing the rigour and skill required to get a foothold in musical theatre, the course is industry driven. You will learn from practising professionals and leading tutors from the entertainment arts industry.
You will be trained to respond creatively to scripts and songs, collaborate effectively with other performers and make informed decisions about character interpretation. Training is practical, with an even distribution of classes in each of the disciplines of singing, dancing and acting.
You will train in ensemble and solo singing in a range of musical theatre repertoire, acting technique for both spoken and sung dialogue, and in ensemble and individual dance in a variety of styles.
At the end of the course, you will present a live showcase of your work in one of the NIDA Theatres attended by entertainment industry practitioners, producers and agents
Course dates and times
2020 Course dates
In 2020 the course will be delivered at our Sydney campus. Duration of the course is 3 February 2020 – 4 December 2020, with an extended break between April and July due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Classes are scheduled 4 days per week, 9am–5pm.
Term 1
Monday 3 February–Thursday 9 April
Term 2
Monday 13 July – Friday 18 September
Term 3
Monday 28 September – Friday 4 December
The scheduling and delivery of this course each year is subject to minimum enrolment numbers.
2021 Course dates
In 2021 the course will be delivered at our Sydney campus. Duration of the course is 1 February 2021 – 8 October 2021. Classes are scheduled 4 days per week, 9am–5pm.
Term 1
Monday 1 February–Thursday 8 April
Term 2
Monday 19 April – Friday 25 June
Term 3
Monday 19 July – Friday 8 October
The scheduling and delivery of this course each year is subject to minimum enrolment numbers.
Course overview
Subjects
The vocational CUA50213 Diploma of Musical Theatre course comprises the following units of competency:
- CUAIND402 Provide freelance services
- CUAMPF407 Develop vocal techniques
- CUAPRF501 Refine performance techniques
- CUAPRF503 Prepare for performances in a competitive environment
- CUAPRF504 Refine musical theatre techniques
- CUAWHS501 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance
- CUADAN505 Refine contemporary dance technique
- CUAMLT501 Refine aural-perception skills
- CUAMPF602 Manage stagecraft aspects of performances
- CUAPRF601 Extend musical theatre performance techniques to a professional level
- CUAPPR502 Develop own sustainable professional practice
- CUAACT401 Use a range of acting techniques in performance
- CUAACT402 Develop acting techniques for musical theatre
- CUAPRF408 Perform solo in a musical theatre context
- CUAPRF409 Perform in a musical theatre ensemble
- CUAVOS401 Develop singing techniques for musical theatre
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
The CUA50213 Diploma of Musical Theatre has a number of valuable learning outcomes.
Over the year you will:
- Extend your skills in solo and ensemble singing, dancing and acting
- Prepare to work as a performer in musical theatre and cabaret productions
- Develop creative skills for a range of collaborative situations
- Develop autonomy in responding to and creating complex theatrical roles.
Admission criteria
Essential requirements for admission
Admission criteria
Applicants seeking admission must:
- Have reached the age of 18 before the commencement of the course (in some circumstances NIDA may select candidates who turn 18 during their course).
- Have completed their Higher School Certificate or equivalent; ATAR is not required
- Demonstrate competence in vocal, dance and/or acting skills at Certificate IV level
- Demonstrate a high level of practical ability, potential and motivation at the interview or audition
- Complete the interview/audition requirements for the course
Essential requirements
We select applicants who:
- Demonstrate skills in singing, dancing and acting
- Exhibit a capacity to collaborate
- Communicate effectively
- Respond to direction and feedback.
Fees
Fees
The CUA50213 Diploma of Musical Theatre is only open to domestic students.
Domestic students are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.
Tuition Fees for CUA50213 Diploma of Musical Theatre students
2020 Full course fee: $18,450
Schedule of VET tuition fees 2020
2021 Full course fee: $18,450
Further financial information
VET Student Loans
NIDA is an approved VET Student Loans provider.
Enrolled vocational students can defer part of their fees using VET Student Loans (Australian citizens and permanent residents only). A 20% loan fee applies to VET Student Loans. The amount of the VET Student Loans provided for a part of a course or unit, plus the VET Student Loan fee of 20% is referred to as the VETSL Debt. More information regarding VET Students Loans can be found here;
VETSL Debt repayments are generally made after the student commences full time employment, repayment amounts are taken out of their pay by the Australian tax system. Students can make voluntary repayments at any time to reduce their balance; payments are made directly to the Australian Tax Office.
More information about paying back your VETSL Debt can be found here;
https://www.studyassist.gov.au/
https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Study-and-training-support-loans/Voluntary-repayments/
Financial assistance
Eligible students, who are Australian residents, can apply to Centrelink for financial assistance through Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. Visit Centrelink or call 132 490 for more information.
NIDA is registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) under the National Vocational Education and Regulator Act 2011 to deliver Vocational Education and Training (VET) services. NIDA is a NVR Registered Training Organisation (RTO): ID number 90349.
How to apply
How to apply
There are six steps to applying:
STEP 1
New Applicants: Create your application account here. You will be sent an automatic email with your log in details to continue your application.
If you have previously applied and your email address already exists in the application system you will not be able to create a new account . Please follow the link below to reset your password, use your email address as your User Login ID. Reset your password here.
STEP 2
Log in, select the green ‘New Application’ button and complete the online form.
STEP 3
Upload the following documentation to the online form:
- Evidence of your most recent qualification if you have one (e.g. school report, Higher School Certificate, university transcript, statement of attainment)
- Proof of identification and citizenship (e.g. Australian passport, Australian driver’s licence, birth certificate. The scanned document needs to show your date of birth).
- A recent photograph (head and shoulders, in colour, well lit, plain background).
- One Audition video as a link to an unlisted YouTube video (click on the below tabs for further information on audition materials)
STEP 4
By credit /debit card, make payment of AUD $75.00, as an application administration fee.
STEP 5
Wait to hear from us by mid October, regarding whether we are able to meet with you at a call-back session. (To assist with your planning, we have published the dates and times for call-backs on the course pages on the website).
Not everyone who submits a video will be invited to a call back.
STEP 6
If we have invited you, please attend your call-back session. At this session, come prepared with the requirements we have outlined on the course page on our website.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPLYING
- The application administration fee payable by you is AUD $75.00 (including GST) per application. This is non-refundable.
- Applications for NIDA's diploma level courses (that commence in 2021) close on 30 September 2020. NIDA may not be able to accept applications after this date.
- There are a limited number of places available in each of our diploma courses. Selection is based on merit; not all applicants who meet the published entry requirements will receive a study offer.
- All applicants are required to review the course information, including the schedule of tuition fees, published on the course page on our website.
- It is not possible to provide applicants with individual written or oral feedback on their audition.
- Applicants who receive a study offer for 2021 must accept the offer within the time frame indicated. It is not possible to defer a study offer at NIDA.
- NIDA encourages applications from people from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in their chosen area of interest.
Audition requirements
Your video submission needs to consist of the following:
- A short statement to camera regarding your background, interests and tell us why you would like to do this NIDA course.
- Two contrasting songs from musical theatre.
- One monologue from a contemporary or classic stage or screen script of approximately two minutes in length. You may choose Australian or International works.
Click HERE for instructions on how to upload an unlisted YouTube video.
You will only be able to upload one audition video. Please ensure that all components are in the one video, and under the one link.
NIDA encourages applications from people from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in their chosen area of interest.
Tips for your video submission
Tips for your video submission
You will only be able to upload one audition video. Please ensure that all components are in the one video, and under the one link.
Click HERE for instructions on how to upload an unlisted YouTube video.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Talk to us -
- about your background, and your interest in performing
- why you would like to undertake the NIDA course you are applying for
You are required to present 2 contrasting songs from musical theatre. Choose songs -
- from classic or contemporary musicals
- that suit your vocal range
- that are different in style
- where you can relate to the character and situation
- that you enjoy performing
- present 1 song in mid-shot (where we can see you from the waist up), and present the other song in long-shot (where we can see you from head-to-toe)
You are required to present 1 acting monologue. Choose a monologue -
- from a classic or contemporary stage or screen script
- where you can relate to the character and situation
- that you enjoy performing
Call Back Sessions
If we have invited you, please attend your call-back session. To assist with your planning, we have published the dates below:
Melbourne
Tuesday 10 November: 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm – auditionees need to be prepared to remain for both sessions (the whole day, if required)
Brisbane
Tuesday 17 November: 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm – auditionees need to be prepared to remain for both sessions (the whole day, if required)
Sydney
Wednesday 9 December: 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm – auditionees need to be prepared to remain for both sessions (the whole day, if required)
Thursday 10 December: 10am-1pm
NIDA will provide an accompanist; please bring sheet music in the keys in which you will perform your songs.
If you are invited to a recall audition, you will:
- Participate in a dance call to demonstrate your response to choreography.
- Potentially perform your prepared songs or monologue again.
- Discuss your previous training and performance experience.
Recalls may occur on another day or involve additional preparation, you will be provided with information regarding recalls at the audition if successful.
Wear suitable clothing – any casual clothing that does not limit movement is acceptable. Dance wear is appropriate at the call-back auditions.
Careers
As a graduate of the CUA50213 Diploma of Musical Theatre you have the performance skills and theory knowledge to be employed in a range of industries, including television, film, theatre and radio.
Potential careers
- Musical Theatre performer
- Singer
- Dancer
- Actor
- Cabaret performer
See NIDA's list of Alumni.
Further info
If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:
Email: vocational@nida.edu.au
Phone: +61 (02) 9697 7516
Mail:
Vocational applications
NIDA
215 Anzac Parade
Kensington NSW 2033
Further information regarding NIDA's vocational training products can be found at Training.gov.au
Read more about NIDA's Executive Director Pathways and Partnerships Mark Gaal
NIDA is registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to deliver Vocational Education and Training (VET) services. RTO (Registered Training Organisation) code: 90349
