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Musical Theatre: Acting Techniques


When it comes to performing a song on a musical theatre stage, everything begins the moment the music starts—which may be before you sing a single note. When you do hit that note, you need to be “in it,” fully engrossed in the narrative arc of the story from the moments before the song begins to what happens immediately afterward. 

Musical theatre performance requires skills in both singing and acting. The singer in you pays attention to all the musical aspects of the song, while the actor in you studies the story, the character, and what they are trying to say—then personalizes this story so that you get inside the character. 

In this course, you will learn the essential elements of successfully performing a song for musical theatre. Together, we will explore the lyrics and music of selected songs, along with the acting techniques that lead to a truthful performance. You will learn how text and music work together to tell a story and how to make clear, specific acting choices that will resonate with your audience.

What you will learn:

✔ Apply acting techniques to develop complex characters with specific circumstances for your song performance 
✔ Analyze music and text to develop a clearer understanding of the story 
✔ Make specific acting choices in your performance to communicate a clear and compelling story 
✔ Develop and maintain a repertoire (rep) book for auditions that will showcase several musical theatre styles

Next Session

Jan. 13 - Feb. 9, 2025 

Teen and adult sections

VIEW ALL DATES

Tuition

$299

Ages

Teens: Grades 6-12

Adult Learners: 18+

Receive expert guidance
Learn from world-class faculty who provide personalized feedback
Learn at your own pace
Explore engaging video content and meaningful instruction
Meet your instructor and classmates
Join an optional weekly class to connect with other artists in real-time
Practice and create
Strengthen your craft over four weeks as you develop creative projects
Find collaborators
Collaborate on your projects—or just for fun—in direct messages and group chats
  • Computer or mobile device with Internet. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school.
  • Audio device to play an accompaniment track, separate from the device you will be using to participate in the course
  • Three-ring binder for printed sheet music used for auditioning and performance, with three or more section dividers and 10 clear plastic sheet protectors
  • Two songs from musical theatre that you feel are "audition ready"

No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).

Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.

Interlochen Online certificateThis is one of three courses needed to complete the Musical Theatre Studies certificate program.

Our online arts certificate programs are perfect for...

Adults looking to boost their creative résumé and LinkedIn profile

Teens who want to earn high school credit for their passion 

Upon completion of the program, you will receive a physical certificate and a shareable digital certificate. Certificates for students under 18 are accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS); high school-age students will also receive an official transcript to share with their current school for consideration for high school credit.

Interlochen Online's Learning Experience

World-class. Inspiring. Flexible.

Peggy Trecker White

Instructor of Theatre

Questions? Speak with an Advisor.

Email: online@interlochen.org 

Phone: 231.276.5990 

You can also schedule an appointment.

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An image of the cover and first few pages of the Musical Theatre: Acting and Preparation Techniques for Live Performance guide