COURSE SUMMARY

Qualification / Award	Year One CUA50220 Diploma of Musical Theatre Year Two CUA60620 Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media
Length	2 years full-time (4 semesters)
Units of Competency	Year One – 16 Units of Competency Year Two – 16 Units of Competency
Delivery	On Campus at Waterloo Studios
Available to	Domestic / International
ATAR	N/A
Course Accreditation	CRICOS (105811C)
Financial Information	Course Fees Page
IELTS	Level 6.5
Application Process	Apply Online

The Sydney Actors School Musical Theatre Diploma and Advanced Diploma offer a practical and comprehensive approach to developing your singing, dancing, and acting skills and equip you with the real-world skills needed to begin a career in musical theatre.

Led by experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in the Australian theatre scene, our teaching team is committed to providing face-to-face practical training that prepares you for the challenges and opportunities of the industry. From refining your vocal techniques to mastering choreography, our tutors bring their firsthand knowledge to help you succeed every step of the way.

As a student in the first year of the program, you’ll practise, rehearse, and perform individually, while also developing the collaborative and interpersonal skills essential for the entertainment industry as an ensemble member. 

The first year of the course focuses on developing singing techniques and applying acting techniques for musical theatre, creating dance pieces, maintaining a high level of physical fitness, navigating feedback, and implementing a robust self-care routine in preparation for performance in a highly competitive industry. Your year of training will culminate in a musical theatre showcase, where you will present solo and ensemble performances for a live audience.

Whether you have existing musical theatre training or are a talented beginner new to the stage, the SAS Musical Theatre Diploma will give you the skills and confidence to begin your musical theatre career.

The Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Musical Theatre focus) offers comprehensive training in all aspects of musical theatre performance, building upon the foundational skills developed in our first-year Diploma program. Students will undertake immersive and challenging coursework to strengthen their skills across various disciplines, equipping them for a career in the entertainment industry, both on stage and screen.

• Singing Techniques / Solo Singing Tutorials: This subject focuses on refining vocal techniques, including breath control, tone production, and interpretation of musical repertoire. Through one-on-one tutorials and ensemble sessions, students will expand their vocal range and develop the skills necessary for solo performances.
• Dance: Students will participate in dance classes that cover a variety of styles, including jazz and contemporary. These classes enhance movement versatility and stage presence, improving coordination, rhythm, and expressive storytelling through movement.
• Acting Techniques: Students will further explore acting techniques that enhance character development and scene interpretation. Through practical exercises and advanced scenework, they refine their ability to embody diverse roles and convey authentic emotions on stage and screen.
• Musical Theatre Practice: Specialised training in this subject includes audition techniques, repertoire selection, and the application of music theory in performance. Students will prepare for professional auditions and gain insights into the nuances of musical theatre performance, from character portrayal to vocal interpretation.
• Vocal Techniques: This subject focuses on developing vocal control, projection, and stamina —essential skills for sustained stage performance. Students will develop techniques to maintain vocal health and flexibility while performing demanding musical and dramatic roles.
• Voice Demo and Musical Theatre Showreel: Students will produce professional-grade materials to showcase their talents to industry professionals, including voice demos and musical theatre showreels.
• Play Production: This mid-year production opportunity focuses on developing students’ acting skills in non-musical contexts. Students will explore diverse characters and hone their ability to convey complex emotions and narratives through straight acting.
• Health for the Actor: Students will learn strategies for managing stress and anxiety associated with performance and gain a better understanding of the importance of managing mental and physical well-being for performers. This subject emphasises techniques for maintaining peak performance and sustaining a long-term career in the entertainment industry.
• Business for the Actor: This subject covers essential industry knowledge and prepares students to navigate the business aspects of the entertainment industry effectively. Topics include goal-setting, networking, self-promotion, and understanding industry trends and opportunities.
• Technology Craft: In this subject, students will receive comprehensive training in all stages of filmmaking, including pre-production, production roles, and post-production (editing). They will gain hands-on experience and develop skills in shooting and editing, enabling them to produce their own showreels and voice reels, which will prepare them for screen-based performances and projects.
• Acting for Camera / Screen Tests: Students will film regular screen tests throughout the course designed to develop their on-camera performance skills, confidence and adaptability in front of the camera while honing their skills in a supportive learning environment.

The year of training will culminate in a musical theatre production under the guidance of an experienced director and choreographer, showcasing the students’ acting, singing, and dancing abilities in a live production for industry professionals and the public.

The Advanced Diploma prepares students with a diverse skill set and practical experience for a successful career in musical theatre and screen media. Students will graduate ready to make meaningful contributions to the Australian musical theatre industry, demonstrating talent and adaptability in an evolving entertainment environment.

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UNITS OF COMPETENCY 

To complete the CUA50220 Diploma of Musical Theatre qualification, you must complete 16 units of competency. The units are outlined in the table below:

UNITS OF COMPETENCY
CUAACT411	Use acting techniques in performance.
CUAACT412	Develop and apply acting techniques for musical theatre.
CUACHR411	Create and perform dance pieces.
CUACHR511	Create and perform complex dance pieces.
CUAIND412	Provide freelance services.
CUAMPF417	Develop vocal techniques.
CUAMPF615	Develop advanced vocal techniques.
CUAPPR512	Develop sustainability of own professional practice.
CUAPRF418	Perform solo in a musical theatre context.
CUAPRF419	Perform in a musical theatre ensemble.
CUAPRF511	Refine performance techniques.
CUAPRF513	Prepare for and perform in competitive environments.
CUAPRF514	Refine musical theatre techniques.
CUAVOS411	Develop singing techniques for musical theatre.
CUAVOS412	Develop specialist singing techniques for musical theatre repertoire.
CUAWHS511	Maintain a high level of fitness for performance.

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MUSICAL THEATRE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS BASE 

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES