Musical Theatre
Gap Year
Programme
(Part Time)
Applications due: 1st August 2023
About the programme
Vivo D’Arte’s musical theatre gap year programme is crafted to intensively prepare performers for their auditions for, and life at, drama school.
Course leader Dan Cowtan and his team of working industry professionals have a rich catalogue of alumni. Students have gone on to study at a wide array of schools and conservatoires, including but not limited to; Arts Educational, Guilford School of Acting, Mountview, Bird College, Urdang, Italia Conti, The Royal Academy of Music and The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Students have gone on to star in principal roles in West End and touring shows such as Hamilton, Wicked, Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera.
We set high expectations of our students, to give them the best preparation for their careers. We offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of musical theatre; acting, singing and dance training in the widest possible array of techniques and styles to create well rounded performers.
The year is fundamentally practical based. We endeavour to offer as many performance opportunities as possible, to make the working environment a natural second home for our students.
In addition to our regular classes, we offer individual mentoring to nurture our artists’ skills, ready for the performance opportunities they will receive throughout the year, as well as ultimately their drama school and conservatoire auditions.
We understand that the life of an artist can be tough, but we are here to support every step of the way. We help our students find their casting bracket, and we provide the practical and emotional support needed to succeed in the most demanding of industries.’
Who is the programme designed for?
At Vivo D’Arte, we have three prerequisites for all of our students: Passion, Commitment, Excellence.
Eligibility for our programme is for those who strive for all three of the above, are over the age of 18, and are wanting to study at an elite drama school or conservatoire level.
All of our teachers have experience of studying at the world’s best colleges and we want to pass on that experience and knowledge to help our students realise their potential in getting to their dream schools.
The course highlights
Portfolio preparation
Creating a complete portfolio for each performer
Industry
casting
We will offer industry-appropriate casting in all the projects we undertake
1:1 coaching and mentoring
We provide one-to-one coaching and personal development mentoring throughout the course
Professional exposure
We offer significant exposure to affiliated industry professionals such as casting directors
Audition preparation
An underlying focus to prepare you for auditions to leading conservatoires
Visiting
lecturers
Workshops led by working industry professionals
Skill enhancement
Enhancing non-performance based skills by creating opportunities
Tailored experience
Above all else, we promise to offer a personally tailored experience for each individual
When and where?
The musical theatre gap year course will last for 36 weeks from September 2023 to July 2024, split into three terms.
Students will be with us every Friday for their musical theatre training, giving them the opportunity to work alongside the course. All classes are undertaken at Vivo HQ in Aylesbury. We have three dedicated and fully equipped rehearsal and performance spaces with air conditioning, WiFi and bluetooth audio systems. Our HQ is newly refurbished, and is a vibrant and safe learning environment. And there is ample free parking with coffee and shopping close by.
Course details term by term
The musical theatre training course is split into three terms across the year.
Each of our terms offers distinct activities. Beginning with a term focused on audition preparation, through to a full staged production at the end of the year, we offer a wide range of opportunities.
Term 1
Preparation
Our first term focuses on intensive skill-based training to heighten technical ability across all disciplines ready for auditions. All individual and group classes are led by our professional tutors to sharpen and hone existing skills.
Term 2
Showcase
The second term will shift focus to an industry-style showcase for all students. Each student will be given the opportunity to perform on their own to demonstrate their strengths and casting, as well as being a part of the wider ensemble.
Term 3
Production
The third term will be spent casting and rehearsing a fully-staged musical. Students will rehearse and perform multiple tracks to acclimatise them to the expectations and demands of professional commercial musical theatre.
The costs
Value for money
At Vivo D’Arte, we aim to provide value for money in everything we do. So, we price our musical theatre training courses as competitively as possible in order to ensure as many people as possible are able to afford them.
How to apply
Tell us about you
Use the button below to be taken to our online application form. So, just fill it in and we will be back in touch soon to let you know the outcome.
Vivo D'Arte is a company that I hold in the highest esteem. I am indebted to Dan for the training I received and I would encourage any student with aspirations to forge the career they want to turn to Dan and his team.
Get in touch
To find out more about the Gap Year course, contact us. You can call us, email us, or fill out the contact form.
- 01296 340 940
- home@vivodarte.org