3-Year DIPLOMA in Professional Musical Theatre & Acting

Triple Threat Training in Singing, Acting, Dance & Acrobatics 
Full-time – 3 Years 
Minimum of 30 weeks (including 8 weeks in productions) 
Minimum of 30 hours per week 
Private 1-to-1 Singing Lessons during all timetabled weeks 
Two Musical Theatre Productions each year (November & July) 
One Dramatic Play each year (March) 
Agency Representation (12 month contract from the first day of your 3rd year to fully transition you into the industry) 
Experienced Industry Faculty 
London’s West End on our doorstep (Direct train to London Euston across the road) 
Regular Industry Workshops & Weekly Audition Technique Classes 
State of the Art facilities including on-site 500 seat theatre & Studio Theatre
Dance Studios with professional sprung floors, mirrors and barres  
Student Recreation HUB for relaxation and Showreel Editing & Recording Studio 
Small Class & Year Group Sizes  
Vocational exams available with TRINITY, RAD, ISTD, APC, LAMDA & ACROBATIC ARTS

Full assistance with Spotlight Membership, Showreels, Photographs & Self-Employment

This course is aimed at students aged 16-21 who have either:

Studied Musical Theatre at BTEC, A'Level or Pre-Vocational Foundation College aged 18+
Completed GCSE's and already demonstrate an exceptional level of skill in Singing or Dance aged 16+
Studied on a performing arts HNC course at a Vocational College or University aged 19+

Qualifications
At the end of the course students will receive the Sharpe Academy Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre & Acting. Students may also study the TRINITY Associate Diploma in Musical Theatre (Level 4 Regulated Qualification) in Second Year if they would like to alongside Vocational qualifications with RAD, ISTD, LAMDA, APC and ACROBATIC ARTS.

2-Year ACCELERATED DIPLOMA

If you have already completed Intermediate/Advanced level dance qualifications or a foundation course and are aged 19+ then we may be able to consider an application for you to join our second year students and complete your training in 2 years instead of 3. All students will be assessed during their audition day to see if this option is a possibility.

Industry Diploma Course Specifications

MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION

You will perform in TWO full-scale musical theatre productions each academic year.

DRAMATIC PLAY

You will perform ONE dramatic play each academic year.

BACKSTAGE PROJECT

In 1st Year you will have the chance to discover additional aspects of theatre such as stage management, lighting, sound, choreography, direction, musical direction, costumes, props and set design. This is part of our Backstage project. This is undertaken alongside our part-time annual musical in our on-site professional theatre.

SWING PROJECT

In 2nd Year you will participate in a Swing project where you will swing dance routines and learn how to plan and present a swing folder. You will be expected to demonstrate a good understanding of several performance tracks, which we usually run alongside our college musical.

FILM PROJECT

In 2nd Year you will work within a team as either a Director, Editor or Script writer to create an original short film.

SHOWREEL & SPOTLIGHT

In 3rd Year you will plan and film your industry showreels and prepare your professional Spotlight CV ready for agent and job submissions.

CONCERTS

You will perform several closed and open showcases during the academic year

SHOWCASE

In 3rd Year you will prepare either an in-person or digital showcase to send to agents. In previous years our students have performed at the Leicester Square Theatre (2023) and Pineapple Dance Studios (2024).

HISTORY OF MUSICAL THEATRE & ACTING

From ancient Greece to the Modern Era, you will learn how Acting and Musical Theatre evolved.

IMPROVISATION, DEVISED & PHYSICAL THEATRE

You will develop skills in many different types of drama, with a large emphasis placed upon imagination and character creation.

CONTEMPORARY & CLASSICAL TEXTS

You will study numerous plays throughout your three years, including classical texts such as Ancient Greek and Shakespeare through to more modern-day plays.

SCREEN ACTING

You will study the art of Acting for Television and Film, creating your own showreels working with cameras. You will also learn how to self-tape for auditions, which is slowly becoming standard practice for first-round auditions in the TV & Film industry.

ACTING TECHNIQUES, PRACTITIONERS & VOICE

You will learn a variety of acting techniques over your three years to help with thought process and character building. You will also study a variety of accents including UK Regional, American, International and RP. You will build a repertoire of monologues, both classical and contemporary.

ACTING THROUGH SONG

You will study text in a song and will use your acting skills to really understand your character, analysing lyrics to portray feelings and emotions whilst singing.

STAGE COMBAT

We bring specialist teachers in several times over the course for you to take stage combat qualifications in Sword, Dagger and Unarmed.

VOCATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

Students are encouraged to take their LAMDA Bronze & Gold Medals if they do not already have them. These exams develop the voice, presentation and drama skills, whilst also concentrating on classical, pre-1980 and contemporary monologues.

CLASSICAL BALLET

You will study Classical Ballet, developing individual posture, technique, knowledge, performance and pas de deux skills.

JAZZ

You will work with a variety of choreographers and performers, both in weekly lessons and regular masterclasses.

TAP

Our Tap classes focus on Rhythm, Broadway and American street style tap dancing with an emphasis on technique and performance.

FITNESS

You will take weekly classes in Body Conditioning and Flexibility. You will be encouraged to place a healthy and active lifestyle at the heart of your time with us.

CONTEMPORARY

You will work on a variety of techniques over your three years learning how to engage mind and body.

CHOREOGRAPHY

Students have a weekly class in Choreography to enable them to develop their own ideas. Creative thinking is an important aspect of our course and this helps skill building and technique in many areas.

PARTNER WORK

You will work on 'pas de deux' in Ballet and will also concentrate on Jazz partner work, focusing on routines, lifts and tricks.

ACROBATICS

Our aim, providing you have the determination, courage and work ethic is to ensure you are producing high quality tricks, flips and tumbles by the end of your training. You will build muscle and will develop better posture, flexibility, balance and core strength.

VOCATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

Vocational ISTD or RAD examinations can be taken in Ballet, Tap, Modern and we also follow the Acrobatic Arts programme.

SOLO SINGING

All students receive private 1-to-1 coaching. You will develop individual vocal skills, working on technique, repertoire and performance. Regular showcases and open classes will give you the opportunity to perform in front of audiences to try out new materials and gain valuable feedback.

VOCAL TECHNIQUE

You will come to understand vocal anatomy, breathing and the science behind the voice. You will develop an understanding of several techniques including the ESTILL voice training method, whilst also looking into artistry and performance styles of singing.

GROUP SINGING & HARMONY

You will have weekly classes working on a variety of materials in vocal groups – soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Regular concerts will be given which will allow you the opportunity to perform different materials.

VOCATIONAL EXAMINATIONS - Associate Diploma - Trinity

In your second year, you will have the chance to work towards your Associate Diploma with Trinity College London. This qualification encourages candidates to be multi-skilled, reflective performers in Musical Theatre, preparing and performing a programme of work that shows professional potential. The Associate Diploma Trinity College London (Musical Theatre) is a Level 4 qualification. (Optional - Additional exam fees apply)

INDUSTRY

Each week students have the opportunity to study different aspects of the industry. This includes types of performance work available to performers, expected professional behaviour and standards, industry insight into contracts, payments, insurance, representation and tax affairs. Students are encouraged to discover everything they can to make sure they are fully prepared for the career ahead of them.

WORKSHOPS

Students have regular workshops with Masterclass teachers, choreographers, directors, casting directors and industry professionals.

AUDITION TECHNIQUE

You will have regular classes to work on your dance pick up skills, vocal repertoire and audition technique in order to make you more confident in the audition room.

AGENCY REPRESENTATION

All our graduation students are represented by AGENT SHARPE. Agent Sharpe is a Spotlight Registered agency with clients currently working around the world. Please visit the Agency Page for more information.

Students are assessed on a regular basis in the following ways:

Studio Teacher Evaluation

Closed House Presentations, Cabarets and Performances

Open Public Performances

Individual and Group Projects

Individual and Group Research

End of Year Principal Appraisals

Vocational Examinations

3 Year Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre & Acting
£3,600.00 (Inc VAT) per term

The course fee includes your training, usually split into 30 hours per week, 10 weeks per term. There are 3 terms in an academic year commencing in September, January and April. Fees can be paid yearly, termly, or a monthly payment plan can be arranged for you.

Student Loans are not available for the Diploma, but we do run an in-house bursary scheme (please see below).

Additional Costs can include:

Uniform, Dancewear & Dance Shoes - £300.00-£600.00
Theatre Tickets - £50-£150 per academic year (Regular theatre visits are organised)
Vocational Examinations (Optional) - Approx £100.00 for each Intermediate/Advanced Examination (Options available in Ballet, Tap & Modern)
Physiotherapy & Sports Massage - Appointments range from £20.00-£40.00 per session
Accommodation & Living Costs - These costs vary depending on your requirements. Please see our accommodation page for our student house information.
Spotlight Casting Directory Membership - £110.00 in your Third year of Study
Professional Photographs - approx £250.00 in your Third year of Study.

BURSARY SCHEME

Sharpe Academy runs an in-house bursary scheme. We have 16 Bursaries for students commencing training in 2024.

The Academy will agree to pay a set contribution towards a students training if they are unable to afford the cost alone. This is based on household income/savings and proof of income/savings will be required. The Academy will only be able to offer a set amount of bursaries each academic year and we recommend students audition early in the audition season to be considered for this scheme. Once students are placed on our bursary programme they have a reduced fee to pay by monthly direct debit:

Annual Household Income & Savings	Monthly Fees Sharpe Contribution	Monthly Fees (36 Payments) Student Contribution
Income - Under £60,000 Savings - Under £5,000	£600.00	£300.00
Income - £60,000-£69,999 Savings - £5,000-£9,999	£450.00	£450.00
Income - £70,000-£79,999 Savings - £10,000-£14,999	£300.00	£600.00
Income - £80,000-£89,999 Savings - £15,000-£19,999	£150.00	£750.00

Bursary Criteria

Students must be UK Citizens
Students must be aged 16-23 at the start of their course
Students must live in a household with a total income of less than £90,000.00 per annum (Proof of income will be required)
Students must live in a household with a total savings of less than £20,000.00 (Proof of savings will be required)
Students must pay a non refundable deposit payment of £600.00 towards their fees to accept a bursary

Please Note: This scheme is subject to change and may differ from year to year.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Sharpe Academy does award several part and full scholarships each academic year to students who show great promise in Musical Theatre & Acting. All students who audition are automatically considered for scholarships and may also be entitled to apply for an additional bursary.

Bursary & Scholarship students will be expected to help out during their time at Sharpe with Open Days, Audition Days, Photo Shoots and Production weeks.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 (Average starting age: 18)
Students must pass an audiiton. Our auditions are FREE to attend.
Students should be able to read and write to GCSE standard or above.

Students do not require any formal qualifications to audition or be accepted onto our 3 Year Diploma course.

IN-PERSON AUDITION:

The following dates are available: 3rd January, 6th February, 17th February, 2nd March, 27th March

The audition day will include:

A Course Intruduction Talk
Campus Tour
Ballet Class & Jazz Class
Acting Class
Private Audition

WHAT TO PREPARE (2 Audition Pieces)

One Musical Theatre Song (Up to 3 Minutes) - COMPULSORY
Please select something that shows vocal power and range
One Monologue (Up to 90 Seconds)  - OPTION 1
Please present a piece of published text post 2000. Use your own accent.
One Dance Routine (Up to 90 Seconds)  - OPTION 2
This may be in a genre of your choosing, but we would recommend Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Ballet, Tap or Acro-Jazz.

To book a FREE audition please complete our online application form. Once we receive your application you will be sent full details.

Sharpe Academy is based in SHARPE HQ, HARROW ARTS CENTRE, 171 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Greater London, HA5 4EA

On-site Facilities include:

Professional Dance Studios	Theory Rooms	Rehearsal Spaces
Outdoor Recreational Spaces	500 Seat Professional Theatre	Recording Studio & Editing Suite
Student Hub with fridges, Microwaves, TV	Parking	2 Minutes walk from Hatch End Train Station (Direct line to London Euston)

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