The Experience of Authenticity for the Musical Theatre performer: Considerations, Challenges and Opportunities
Tuesday 15th October 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
This short course explores the role that authenticity plays in the training of the musical theatre performer by looking at its history, its influence on actor training and its impact on speaking and singing voice pedagogies. Challenges related to the use of this fascinating and elusive ideal are explored, as well as opportunities for a revised practical approach geared towards musical theatre vocal work.
The course is structured in three parts: the first will explore the concept of authenticity by placing it in an historical context that will help us identify its privileged relationship with theatre and actor training. The second will outline the results of a research project investigating how young performers experience ideas such as authenticity, individuality and truthfulness in their practical day-to-day studies or professional work. The third will propose exercises and activities aimed at bringing a revised approach to authenticity into the classroom.
At the end of the course, you will have been exposed to ideas and reflections on authenticity ranging from the philosophical to the practical, as assumptions at the heart of actor training that have shaped the dualism between voice and singing pedagogies will be presented and discussed. As a result of these discussions, musical theatre will emerge as an art form needing a specific framework that refuses dualistic polarities in favour of difference and complexity existing without a need for conflict or resolution.
🏷️ Price £30 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available
Marco Morbidelli
Marco Morbidelli holds a master’s degree in voice studies from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and works at Mountview as Course Leader for the BA Performance programme (Acting, Actor Musicianship and Musical Theatre pathways) as well as Joint Head of Singing.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, this is an archived short course...
We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.
Tuesday 16th December 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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In this session, Professor Helena Daffern will explore the fascinating science behind choral sound, offering choir singers and directors valuable insights into achieving a cohesive and expressive ensemble, no matter what their standard. The concept of choral blend will be examined —what it is, how it can be cultivated, and the roles of intonation and vibrato will be analysed. The decisions that have to be made around intonation when tuning thirds or dealing with modulations over the course of an a cappella piece will be explained in the context of existing research and different singing styles such as barbershop singing and solo voice ensembles.
Tuesday 16th December 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Unclenching the Jaw: Options from the Physio Lens
Walt Fritz
“Jaw tension” is one of many potential problems facing the singer, and can cause a direct negative impact on the performance in both direct and indirect ways. The underlying cause of jaw issues is attributed to numerous factors (technique, posture, strength, range of motion, etc.), making it often difficult to identify common denominators. Join Walt Fritz as he examines the evidence supporting stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy interventions to address jaw-related concerns in vocal performers, taking into account their unique needs.
Thursday 18th December 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
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Professor Conroy Cupido
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