My inquiry looks at the training of musical theatre students, focusing on what is the best way to ensure they have successful careers. Perhaps 'ensure' is the wrong word because in the performing industry there are no guarantees. Rather, is there a way of training musical theatre students that gives them the best possible chance of career success? And if so what is it? Versatility is often quoted as being the most important thing but is it in fact more advantages to be specialised in a particular area?
There is no current consensus on training methods and so as part of my inquiry I will be interviewing the head teachers of four professional musical theatre courses in London to gather and compare differing view points. I've arranged the interview dates and they are fast approaching which leaves me with the dilemma of what to actually ask them. Below is a list of questions that I think will help begin to illuminate my inquiry. If any of you have a chance could you please have a look at them and let me know if they are clear and relevant? Also let me know if you think there are any glaringly obvious things that I haven't asked.
- Assuming that I know nothing about musical theatre, what would you say was the purpose of this course?
- How do you go about achieving those goals?
- What skills do you think it is important for a graduate to leave with?
- Can you specifically describe to me the content of this course? (How much dance/singing/acting etc.)
- I've noticed that some musical theatre courses are accredited by the national dance council and others by the national drama council. Do you think that the accreditation of this course reveals its primary focus?
- Do you think that all musical theatre courses are designed to do the same thing?
- Did you decide on the content of this course? If so, how did you make these decisions and why? If not, how do you feel about the content? Do you think anything should be changed? If so, why?
- What do you look for when accepting students onto this course?
- Do you think you accept a certain type of performer? If so, what is that type?
- When training do you push students to excel at their strengths or to improve their weaknesses?
- Is it the same for every student?
- Do you have to adapt this course to the changing demands of the industry?
- Do you think the industry has changed/ is changing?
- What do you think is now required from a professional performer?
- Is there an ideal of what a professional musical theatre performer should be? If so, what do you think that is?
- Is versatility important? If so, why?
- What are your feelings about the phrase 'jack of all trades, master of none'?
- In your experience are there many performers who are equally talented in all disciplines?
- If someone can't do one of the three disciplines, or even two of the three, does that me they can't or shouldn't do musical theatre?
I think there are probably lots more things I should be asking, particularly specifics about the teaching (any teachers out there please feel free to comment), but I suppose this is a start. Thanks in advance for commenting. I hope everyone is well and is getting back into it. Only one term left, arghhhhhhhhh!
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you've started back already. I think its agreat idea you are going to interview four different headteachers. I would be very interested in reading your findings.
Your intended questions are interesting and I think you are wanting an answer which isn't a black and white as we'd like. I feel the term 'triple threat' has become more mainsteram in recent years with the industry seeming more competative than ever so their insight will be valuable i'm sure. I notice that you seem to focus your overall conclusions on accredited institutes only in London? Do you not feel it would be worth broadening your reach further a field as ther are 21+ trinity accredited institues including many outside of London.
Also have you decided to focus your inquiry solely on musical theatre courses for age 16+?
I'm still unsure where to direct my inquiry without trying to stretch my inquiry tools too far. I have recently taken on a vocational teaching role teaching drama dance and musical theatre from age 3 right up to 19. My classes have been worked into my schools curriculum so I have a big influence with my lesson plans etc.Do you feel the introduction of musical theatre before age 16 is worth considering when evaluating the effectiveness/benefits of future training?
I wondered if looking at their experience before making the big decision of where to train and whether they have the neccessary skills/ability would be worth considering?
Maybe one of your questions for the head teachers could be what they look for when they hold auditions for potential students? I would be keen to see if the answers were the same and see if this had any overiding effect on their pupils future career success/longevity?
I would like to hope that the earlier the child is introdcuced to the field whether it be acting, dance or musical theatre the more likely they are to continue being interested in it it their futrure.Even if they don't pursue a performance career as such.
Maybe thats just me but these were just a few things that crossed my mind when reading your interview questions.
Hope some of this may help.
Rebecca