The 15-Month Musical Theatre Program
“The Broadway musical defines our culture and is, in turn defined by it. The musical tells its stories in music, in lyrics, in dialogue in performance, and in dance. Each of these elements is a potent cultural indicator on its own; put together, they provide a frequently brash, occasionally thoughtful, always colorful portrait of our country. Like so many of the best performers, this version of American history demands to be heard.”
- Michael Kantor & Lawrence Maslon, “Broadway, the American Musical”
We are in the business of training the next generation of Broadway musical performers.
 Today’s job market in the musical theatre is more demanding than ever. No longer can a performer make a career out of being just a singer or a dancer. Today’s Broadway demands a performer be equal parts actor, dancer and singer, in other words a “triple treat.” Our 15-Month Musical Theatre Program provides intensive training in all three disciplines.
Our school has been training actors for the past 28 years and now with the addition of our Musical Theatre faculty we have begun training the “triple threats” the market is demanding. Our acting teachers, dance instructors and vocal teachers and coaches  are the people who make theatre in Dallas. They are working professionals who earn their living doing what they teach. This training is totally relevant to today’s market.
At the completion of the 15-Month Musical Theatre Program students have the opportunity to perform in a live, professionally produced showcase to which agents, casting directors, producers, directors, choreographers and the general public are invited. The graduates of the program receive an Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Musical Theatre.
The 15-Month Musical Theatre Program consists of 4 semesters. Each semester runs for 15 weeks and requires total commitment on the part of the student. A standard week of study involves approximately 22 hours of classes, 4-6 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Additional time may be required for rehearsals or individual work.
Program Curriculum
First Semester – 15 weeks
Music Performance Ear Training I
Introduction to Acting
Introduction to Voice
Ballet I
Jazz Dance I
Piano Class I
Introduction to Musical Theater
Dance Performance I - Tap
Second Semester – 15 weeks
Forms of Literature
Musical Theatre Performance I
Acting II
Speech and Phonetics
Ballet II
Dance Performance II - Tap
Human Biology
Third Semester – 15 weeks
Acting III
Ballet III
Dance Performance III - Tap
Jazz Dance II
Social Psychology
History of Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Performance II
Fourth Semester – 15 weeks
Advanced Acting the Song
Musical Audition Techniques
Musical Theatre Performance III
Ballet IV
Musical Theatre I
Jazz Dance III
Ballet I
The student will learn to execute basic ballet instruction and participate in routines utilizing
ballet technique
Jazz Dance I
The student will learn to execute basic jazz steps from instruction and participate in jazz dance technique.
Dance Performance I – Tap
The student will learn to execute basic tap instruction and participate in tap dance performance.
Piano Class I
This course is a class instruction in the fundamentals of keyboard technique for beginning piano students.
Ballet II
This course is instruction and participation in ballet technique.
Jazz Dance II
This course is instruction and participation in jazz dance technique.
Music Performance Ear Training I
This course is an introduction to sight singing tonal music in commonly used clefs. Topics include aural study (including dictation) of the commercial aspects of melody and diatonic harmony. The student will learn to sing tonal music in treble, bass, tenor, and alto clefs; demonstrate improved sight singing abilities; and dictate rhythms, melodies, and basic harmony.
4/30/60
Ballet III
This course is instruction and participation in ballet technique on an immediate level.
Dance Performance II – Tap
This course is instruction and participation in tap dance performance.
Jazz Dance III
This course is instruction and participation in jazz dance technique on an immediate level.
Advanced Acting the Song
This course is designed as a culmination of the students’ musical theatre acting training and as preparation for entry into the professional community. Special emphasis is placed on recognizing character types, the choice of suitable audition material and interacting with partners’ song presentations. Under the supervision of the instructor, students will focus on selecting and rehearsing monologues and songs for theatre auditions and on partnered scenes and songs to be performed in the graduation showcase, utilizing the school library and online resources.
Musical Audition Techniques
The student will perfect cold reading technique for commercial, industrial, and musical theatre auditions with emphasis placed on identifying and using personal qualities, developing spontaneity, controlling anxiety, improving concentration and listening skills. In addition, the students will prepare and present audition songs. Students will also work on the preparation, organization, and presentation of resumes, headshots, and other marketing materials for the graduation showcase.
History of Musical Theatre
The student will learn the development of the musical theatre form of art from the earliest times through the 20th century.
Ballet IV
This course is instruction and participation in ballet technique on an intermediate level.
Musical Theatre I
This course is a presentation of literature from the musical theatre including operetta, revues, and musical comedy with emphasis on vocal and movement skills. The student will prepare and rehearse a musical theatre production; present a musical theatre production as part of the cast or technical crew; memorize a musical theatre role; and prepare vocal and/or dance performances.
Dance Performance III – Tap
This course is instruction and participation in tap dance performance on an intermediate level.
Introduction to Musical Theatre
The primary focus of this course is the development of essential skills and techniques necessary to perform material for the musical theatre. The student is taught a practical method that encompasses the integration of acting principals, a well as, dancing and singing techniques to prepare for musical theatre performance. Students view a series of films and clips of performances in the musical theatre. Assignments and classroom discussion enhance the experience as students apply what they have viewed to their own work. Performance work in classroom is included. A full spectrum of musical theatre repertoire is covered.
Musical Theatre Performance I – Style Study
Using techniques acquired in the first semester, the student is guided to develop further musical theatre skills through preparation, research and solo performance in class. The history and styles of musical theatre are explored through assignments that include Gilbert and Sullivan, operettas, vaudeville, the roaring twenties, the jazzy thirties, and the golden age of integrated book musicals.
Musical Theatre Performance II - Scene Study
The student explores a series of assigned scenes in which the book of a musical is integrated with its score, focusing on the skills needed to perform in a musical. Duets, trios, and small group scenes are assigned. Solo work continues throughout the semester with the addition and emphasis on ensemble work. The student will prepare a final project that integrates skill areas including choral singing, harmony, sight singing, staging, choreography, and character study.
Musical Theatre Performance III– Capstone Performance Project
In the final semester, the student will prepare, audition for, and rehearse a final performance project of a full-length musical. Under the guidance of a director, the student experiences a professional rehearsal process and participates in a musical produced at a theatre.
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For more information call our Office toll free:
1-877-278-2283
or drop us a note.
KD Studio Actors Conservatory
2600 Stemmons Frwy, Suite 117
Dallas, TX 75207
214-638-0484
1-877-278-2283
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