PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA:
MUSICAL THEATRE
16+
JULIE WILLIAMSON, VICE PRINCIPAL: DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE
KEY STAFF:
ALISON HUGHES
DIRECTOR OF MUSICAL THEATRE
The Level 6 Trinity Diploma courses in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre provide the highest standards of education, training and guidance required for a career in both professional dance and musical theatre performance. Safe practice and wellbeing are at the heart of each programme whereby students’ capabilities and needs are fully considered.
Course content and options
Both Dance and Musical Theatre courses combine jazz technique including Luigi and Mattox with varied styles of Fossé, lyrical, MT-jazz and commercial dance. Within the field of contemporary dance, we cover Limon, Graham, Cunningham and release-based work, encouraging students to build confidence in improvisation and choreographic skills. Dance students take a daily ballet class and MT students take ballet three times weekly, which include pointe-work and virtuosity. Tap is offered twice weekly in five streamed-ability classes across the three year groups.
As part of both courses, further options are available including early morning ballet where students can choose to work towards RAD exams (up to advanced 2). We also encourage students to take extra syllabus exams in both ISTD Tap and Modern (up to advanced 2). In addition, some students choose our excellent A-level options whilst others opt for the Michael King Pilates Teacher training programme. With the addition of Latin & Ballroom in the final year, these elements alone constitute a highly challenging and exciting programme.
The Musical Theatre course is an exciting blend of dance, vocals and acting. It is directed at training strong, versatile dancers with a high standard of vocal and acting skills for ensemble performance work within the musical theatre industry. The programme includes one-to-one vocal technical sessions, vocal repertoire and style, ensemble work and training in harmonies. Acting classes cover analysis of text, creation of character, acting through song, as well as exploring a range of materials including plays. Each week students participate in a specially designed integrated musical theatre class combining all three disciplines simultaneously. The classes are led by a director, musical director and choreographer in a professional rehearsal environment.
Assessment and progress
In addition to formative and summative assessments in all core disciplines and in live performance, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning through regular discussion, tutorials, reflective practice, self-assessment and target setting.
Performance and workshops
Each year students are led by a professional creative team to showcase their skills in a full-book musical theatre production in The Hammond Theatre. Throughout their training students will also benefit from an eclectic programme of workshops and masterclasses led by external artists in the profession, providing a vast wealth knowledge and experience from the outside world.
Contextual studies
Student’s practical training is supported and expanded through a robust programme of research projects, reflective practice and technique logs.
Graduate year
As students transition into their third year there is strong emphasis on employment preparation and audition technique that motivate students towards their career goals. In daily classes they focus more on establishing their identity, artistic skills and performance qualities alongside refining their technical vocabulary. Students work with staff and visiting professionals to create a tailor-made showcase attended by the county's’ top agencies that can provide students with a stepping-stone into the industry. Students graduate from the musical theatre course as technically strong and versatile performers who can adapt with ease, exhibit self-confidence and demonstrate a unique and artistic skill base.
The Level 6 Trinity Diploma courses in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre provide the highest standards of education, training and guidance required for a career in both professional dance and musical theatre performance. Safe practice and wellbeing are at the heart of each programme whereby students’ capabilities and needs are fully considered.
Course content and options
Both Dance and Musical Theatre courses combine jazz technique including Luigi and Mattox with varied styles of Fossé, lyrical, MT-jazz and commercial dance. Within the field of contemporary dance, we cover Limon, Graham, Cunningham and release-based work, encouraging students to build confidence in improvisation and choreographic skills. Dance students take a daily ballet class and MT students take ballet three times weekly, which include pointe-work and virtuosity. Tap is offered twice weekly in five streamed-ability classes across the three year groups.
As part of both courses, further options are available including early morning ballet where students can choose to work towards RAD exams (up to advanced 2). We also encourage students to take extra syllabus exams in both ISTD Tap and Modern (up to advanced 2). In addition, some students choose our excellent A-level options whilst others opt for the Michael King Pilates Teacher training programme. With the addition of Latin & Ballroom in the final year, these elements alone constitute a highly challenging and exciting programme.
The Musical Theatre course is an exciting blend of dance, vocals and acting. It is directed at training strong, versatile dancers with a high standard of vocal and acting skills for ensemble performance work within the musical theatre industry. The programme includes one-to-one vocal technical sessions, vocal repertoire and style, ensemble work and training in harmonies. Acting classes cover analysis of text, creation of character, acting through song, as well as exploring a range of materials including plays. Each week students participate in a specially designed integrated musical theatre class combining all three disciplines simultaneously. The classes are led by a director, musical director and choreographer in a professional rehearsal environment.
Assessment and progress
In addition to formative and summative assessments in all core disciplines and in live performance, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning through regular discussion, tutorials, reflective practice, self-assessment and target setting.
Performance and workshops
Each year students are led by a professional creative team to showcase their skills in a full-book musical theatre production in The Hammond Theatre. Throughout their training students will also benefit from an eclectic programme of workshops and masterclasses led by external artists in the profession, providing a vast wealth knowledge and experience from the outside world.
Contextual studies
Student’s practical training is supported and expanded through a robust programme of research projects, reflective practice and technique logs.
Graduate year
As students transition into their third year there is strong emphasis on employment preparation and audition technique that motivate students towards their career goals. In daily classes they focus more on establishing their identity, artistic skills and performance qualities alongside refining their technical vocabulary. Students work with staff and visiting professionals to create a tailor-made showcase attended by the county's’ top agencies that can provide students with a stepping-stone into the industry. Students graduate from the musical theatre course as technically strong and versatile performers who can adapt with ease, exhibit self-confidence and demonstrate a unique and artistic skill base.
TRACY BAXTER
INDUSTRY COORDINATOR
My work as the Industry Coordinator covers a wide range of skill sets and responsibilities. All are preparing each student for the right career path ahead of them. Each student is an individual and at the Hammond we recognise that they require different guidance and skill sets in order to be successful on their own career path and beyond.
Graduates are given guidance on Headshots, CV and Showreels catered towards their personal skill sets. Talks with Spotlight, Equity and social media specialists are also offered. In the Graduate year students are constantly being exposed to industry professionals, agents and casting directors this is via weekly workshops, audition technique led by top industry professionals and also an Agents Day and Graduate Showcase held in London. We have an exceptional relationship with agents and casting directors and are extremely proud of our 100% success rate in securing our Graduates agency representation when they leave.
Upon graduating we also offer a one-year support scheme for our post Graduates. I am there for any advice or support that they feel is needed. This has been extremely successful and I am very passionate about guiding them into the Industry correctly with support.
The Industry is forever changing and it is important that we keep up to date with current trends and continually build new contacts and job opportunities for our students. Our destinations success rate is exceptional and it proves that educating our Graduates about all facets of the Industry and the importance of correct network is vital.
I am very excited to announce that Stage Entertainment from Germany, who employ 3000 people worldwide, will be coming to the Hammond in April 2021 to audition our Grads and post Grads. It is the first time that they have come to a UK Performing Arts school and we are so excited to build a great relationship to hopefully secure our students future work both in Germany, UK and Worldwide.
My work as the Industry Coordinator covers a wide range of skill sets and responsibilities. All are preparing each student for the right career path ahead of them. Each student is an individual and at the Hammond we recognise that they require different guidance and skill sets in order to be successful on their own career path and beyond.
Graduates are given guidance on Headshots, CV and Showreels catered towards their personal skill sets. Talks with Spotlight, Equity and social media specialists are also offered. In the Graduate year students are constantly being exposed to industry professionals, agents and casting directors this is via weekly workshops, audition technique led by top industry professionals and also an Agents Day and Graduate Showcase held in London. We have an exceptional relationship with agents and casting directors and are extremely proud of our 100% success rate in securing our Graduates agency representation when they leave.
Upon graduating we also offer a one-year support scheme for our post Graduates. I am there for any advice or support that they feel is needed. This has been extremely successful and I am very passionate about guiding them into the Industry correctly with support.
The Industry is forever changing and it is important that we keep up to date with current trends and continually build new contacts and job opportunities for our students. Our destinations success rate is exceptional and it proves that educating our Graduates about all facets of the Industry and the importance of correct network is vital.
I am very excited to announce that Stage Entertainment from Germany, who employ 3000 people worldwide, will be coming to the Hammond in April 2021 to audition our Grads and post Grads. It is the first time that they have come to a UK Performing Arts school and we are so excited to build a great relationship to hopefully secure our students future work both in Germany, UK and Worldwide.
COURSE GUIDANCE:
LIVE Q&A SESSION, SATURDAY 14TH NOVEMBER - WATCH IT BACK.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
The Hammond's Post-16 students come from all over the UK and abroad so a large number find themselves living away from home whilst they complete their training. We do not recommend any particular accommodation providers so potential students are free to explore the local options. These include private landlords, Tramways (student accommodation in the heart of Chester), and local host families.
More detailed information will be available at our audition days but please be assured, The Hammond has a dedicated team of staff ensuring students are supported as they move away from home for the first time. This support is continued throughout their training and Pastoral care for Senior students is overseen by the Assistant Principal and Pastoral Leader, who are on hand to help with any issues that may arise.
Please email: if you have any specific questions or concerns regarding Post-16 accommodation.
QUICK LOOK COURSE APPLICATION / AUDITION INFORMATION
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