So you love musical theatre. Maybe you know all the words to Phantom of the Opera, can belt the high notes of Defying Gravity, and have nailed all the Six dance routines. But how do you get to perform under the bright lights of the stage? Musical theatre is one of the most electrifying branches of live performance, blending acting, singing, and dancing into something spectacular. But getting into it takes dedication, versatility, and a strong understanding of the craft – not to mention considerable talent, since you’ll be up against stiff competition.
Whether your dream is to join a classic Les Misérables ensemble or break ground in an exciting new fringe musical, here is some step-by-step advice for how to get into musical theatre in the UK. In the words of Julie Andrews’ Maria, “Let’s start at the very beginning.”
Combining song, dance, and spoken dialogue to tell a story, musical theatre is a hybrid form of entertainment that often requires its actors to be triple-threat performers – able to sing, dance, and act at the same time. Not everyone who appears in a musical will be an expert in all three, but you’ll need good vocal stamina and range, acting abilities, and strong movement skills to succeed.
While plays often rely on dialogue to drive the plot, music is a key narrative device in musical theatre. In the essay Putting It Together: Musical Theatre as an Academic Discipline, the academic Madeline Finney describes it as “a unique integration of acting, singing, and dancing for the purposes of storytelling,” in which characters often break into song at emotional peaks.
Typically, though, the songs in musicals are not simply decorative. They often replace dialogue entirely as an essential storytelling component. That is especially true of traditional book musicals, in which songs advance the narrative and deepen the audience’s understanding of its characters. By contrast, jukebox musicals – which use preexisting songs that are often the work of a particular band, artist, or genre – don’t always require the music to move the narrative forward, but they remain a key part of the experience. Musical theatre tends to deal with big themes and feelings: falling in love, the experience of loss, or a big transformation. It is when those intense experiences are at their highest that the music often comes
1. Understand the industry.
Before you dive in, immerse yourself in the world of musical theatre. Watch West End shows (or recordings of them), regional productions, fringe theatre, and musicals that were born in the online space, such as Ratatouille: The Musical, which began its life on TikTok. Study the form: how songs are structured, how choreography supports character, and, most importantly, how to transition from speaking to singing and back again. If you’re wondering which skills to prioritise, remember that composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim “always preferred actors who sing to singers who act.” It is also important to think about your own casting and where you fit in the industry.
2. Train across all three disciplines.
To give yourself the best shot of being a musical theatre performer, you’ll want solid training in:
- Acting: You’ll need a strong grasp of character, stakes, objectives, and emotion. Some songs demand more subtlety than others, but all require truthful acting.
- Singing: Develop vocal strength and technique. Musical theatre singers need both range and control. Find a singing teacher familiar with musical theatre repertoire and vocal health.
- Dancing: Learn key styles used in musicals, including jazz, ballet, tap, and commercial/street. Many UK colleges offer classes on dance for actors, which cover the basics of multiple forms.
Look into short courses and summer intensives at leading drama schools for musical theatre, such as ArtsEd, Guildford School of Acting, and Mountview. Many also offer weekend courses designed for aspiring musical theatre actors. National Youth Music Theatre is where many actors, including Kerry Ellis, Eddie Redmayne, and Matt Lucas, got their first taste of the stage.
If you enjoy your experience, you can think about auditioning for a place in a longer course at drama school. Most performers on a West End stage have completed either a three-year course or a year-long master’s degree. “Only practical experience in our industry can give you a complete understanding of what it takes to succeed and sustain a career in the world of musical theatre,” Les Misérables and Miss Saigon composer Claude-Michel Schönberg said of actors training at drama school.
3. Build up a repertoire.
You’ll need a collection of songs to perform at musical theatre auditions. It’s recommended to have at the ready a:
- Standard ballad
- Standard up-tempo
- Contemporary driving/dramatic
- Contemporary ballad
- Comedy
- Pop/rock
They should suit your voice and acting style. Don’t just choose big, well-known showstoppers. Think outside the box. It’s important to pick songs that let you tell a story and fit your casting. “When selecting your audition material, don’t try to give us what you think we want,” Will Hammond, the head of acting at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, told The Stage. “Select material that resonates with you – that matters to you. Use the material to tell us a story about yourself.”
If you have a playing range of ages 15 to 20, for example, don’t sing a song that is traditionally performed by a woman in her 40s or 50s. It is important to be strategic and select songs that not only match your vocal range, but also may help you get cast. Be sure to prepare exactly what you’ve been asked. "Arriving at an audition with the wrong material does not make a good first impression,” drama teacher Samantha Marsden told The Stage. “Schools are looking for students who do their research and who they can work with.”
Monologues are important, too, and you’ll usually need a modern and a classic (such as Shakespeare). As for dance, you’ll usually be asked to learn a routine on the day, so having experience in picking up choreography quickly could work to your advantage.
4. Find an agent.
Representation can help with access to auditions and negotiating contracts. If you’re currently at drama school, your department may put together a showcase in which agents will come and watch a performance. Otherwise, you can reach out to agents directly with your acting CV, show reel, headshots, and a short introduction. Think about what kind of agent you may like to approach. Smaller boutique agencies may be able to give you more attention when you’re starting out, while bigger agents will have better, more established contacts in the industry.
5. Attend open casting calls and auditions.
Plenty of musical theatre jobs in the UK are advertised via open casting calls. Open calls may be daunting, but they’re an important part of the process. Even if you don’t land the part, auditions are great practice and an opportunity to get in front of casting agents. And who knows? They may remember you for a future project. “[You get rejected] constantly in this business,” actor Laura Benanti told Elle. “You can’t take it personally. It’s funny: A business that requires you to be thin-skinned and permeable in order to bring a character to life also requires you to be incredibly thick-skinned.”
Approach breaking into musical theatre in the UK as you would a marathon, not a sprint. It takes stamina, skill, and serious passion. But for people who love storytelling through song, there’s nothing quite like stepping into the spotlight and making an audience feel something through a single note, line, or pirouette.