Musical Theatre

The Musical Theatre Course
Our Full-time Musical Theatre course is one of the UK’s finest, providing students with intensive training with outstanding teachers and industry professionals. Led by leading vocal coach – James Grimsey, the highly experienced staff team work to develop our students into highly skilled triple threat performers. Equivalent to 3 A-Levels and with an internationally recognised awarding body, the Musical Theatre course will prepare you for your next step in education or performance.
The Musical Theatre course is the region’s most intensive fully funded performing arts course and is taught by the most experienced team of coaches and industry experts in the area. The Musical Theatre course at Arts1 is unlike a standard BTEC taught in a school or college setting, it has several unique features including intensive contact hours and specialist delivery that give our students the edge in performance.
James Grimsey
James has worked at the UK’s finest conservatoire’s and performing arts school including Arts Educational School, Mountview and recently led the Singing department at Birmingham School of Acting. As a vocal coach he has worked with some of the UK’s leading talent including Samantha Barks, Little Mix and finalists on the X-Factor and Britains got talent. James has worked with the post-16 age group for over 15 years and his approach to training a thinking performer with the highest possible skillset is at the heart of his training. As a vocal coach James has an international reputation and he has presented masterclasses all over the UK and at the world voice symposium in Australia.
“The students at Arts1 really reflect the intensive training we provide, the two year course develops well rounded individuals that have a broad base of skills and a mindset that will set them up to succeed. We are different to many performing arts institutions, make an application and meet the team before you decide on the team you want to support your future.”
Apply for September 2017
We are currently accepting applications for September 2017. Book into an open day and make an application online to secure your place.
Students aged 16 – 18 are eligible for funding for the course – funding is also available for students that have completed or are part way through school or college courses
Could it be for you?
The course is aimed at students aged 16+ that want to train full-time in Musical Theatre and pursue a career in performance.
Dance
Intensive dance training in our unique streamed dance classes. Train in Ballet, Jazz, Stage Acrobatics, Commercial and Hip-hop. Suitable for highly experienced competitive dancers and also those new to dance.
Areas of study
Dance technique – Dance performance – Musical Theatre Choreography – Strength and Flexibility – Ballet – Jazz – Commercial – Acrobatic arts
Voice and Singing
World class Estill voice training – Arts1 is the only Estill educational affiliate in England. Our expert team of coaches teach you everything from Belting to Opera. Individual and group sessions are available.
Areas of study
Estill voice training Level 1 & 2 – Vocal technique – Spoken Word – Ensemble Singing – Harmony – Classical and Contemporary singing – Accents and Dialect – Estill Certificate of Figure Proficiency (optional qualification)
Acting
Train to be a physical and creative actor, explore text and improvisation techniques. You will also develop your understanding of contemporary theatre and classical texts.
Areas of study
Physical skills – Improvisation – Devising – Classical Text – Contemporary Text – Directing – Actors Stagecraft – Contextual studies
industry mentors
Paul Bullion
Paul trained at Arts Educational Schools London, graduating in 2010 and has worked extensively in television, film and theatre. Most recently he played the role of Billy Kitchen in the acclaimed BBC television drama Peaky Blinders. Other television credits include Tubby in Jamaica Inn for the BBC and Gerry Olderby in Endeavour for ITV. Paul can be seen in the 2014 blockbuster film Dracula Untold for Universal Studios playing the role of Nicolae. Paul is thrilled to be an industry mentor for Arts1 School of Performance, somewhere that he attended himself as a teenager. He is keen to help students gain positive experiences and develop the right attitude when looking to take the next step in their training.
Oliver Jackson
On stage Oliver has appeared most recently at The National Theatre in Jamie Lloyd’s critically acclaimed production of SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER. He was also seen in CARTHAGE at The Finborough directed by Donmar Theatre Associate Rob Hastie. The play enjoyed a sell out run and was Critics Choice in Timeout.
Oliver worked on the feature film of ‘Les Miserables’ for Working Title, which is directed by Oscar winning Director Tom Hooper, acting alongside Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter.
Jamie Tyler
Cover Che in Evita (Dominion Theatre London); Ensemble cover Lancelot, Galahad and Bedevere in Spamalot! (Playhouse Theatre, London); Ensemble cover Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Spectacular (UK & Australian tour); Seabee in South Pacific (UK Tour of Broadway production); Uncle Ernie in The Who’s Tommy! (English Theatre, Frankfurt/EuropeanTour); Ensemble cover Che in Evita (UK/European Tour); Eugene cover Vince Fontaine, Teen Angel and Doody in Grease (Piccadilly Theatre, Victoria Palace and UK Tour)
Holly Jack
Holly graduated in 2009 from Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts. Best known for her role as troubled teenager, Nicole Brodie in the BBC Drama,’ River City’, Holly’s other TV credits include ‘Pals Battalion’ for BBC 3’s WW1 series. She will be back on TV screens early, next year as Bonnie Kincaid in the final ever series of BBC’s ” Waterloo Road.”
Gillian Budd
Gillian trained at the Royal Academy of Music and Arts Educational, London.
Gillian’s most recent credits – Violet Bick in It’s A Wonderful Life at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre and National Theatre’s One Man, Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Previous credits include My Fair Lady – Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg at the Gielgud Theatre, Sally in When Harry Met Sally and Whore/Soloist in the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena.
Emily Shaw
Emily trained at Laine Theatre Arts. Most recently she played Katerina Cavalieri in Amadeus at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Previous theatre credits include covering and playing the role of Miss Honey in the record breaking RSC production of Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre, London, Dotty in Jumpers (Tom Stoppard), Hello Dolly at Regents Park Open air Theatre, The UK tour of Mary Poppins- covered and played Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast- covered and played Belle and the UK tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie-covered and played Miss Dorothy.
Abigail Jaye
Abigail’s theatre credits include Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooge (UK Tour); Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour); Mrs Lyons u/s Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers (Phoenix Theatre, West End); Eva Peron in Evita (UK and International Tour); Isabel in Scrooge (London Palladium); Emma Fairfax in Doctor Dolittle (UK Tour); Narrator in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat (UK Tour and West End); Jan in Grease (Cyprus); Annabel Glick in Lucky Stiff (The Landor); Angela in Floradora (Finborough); Soloist in Thursford Christmas Spectacular; Miss Iceland in Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision