The ability, dedication, and aspirations all play a role in selecting the best musical theater courses. Musical theater courses can be a fun way to get into the exciting world of musical theater, or a launching pad for a professional theater career, whether for school-aged children or adults. It’s important to do research on the available options, look for classes that fit your schedule and budget, and choose classes that align with your personal goals when looking for good musical theater courses.
Researching available classes is a good way to start narrowing down your options. Because musical theater entails singing, acting, and dancing, classes can be tailored to a variety of skill levels and cover a wide range of topics. Finding an introductory class at a local college or community center may be a good place to start training for beginners. Private vocal coaches, advanced acting training, and more difficult dance classes may be appropriate for more advanced students. If a class’s requirements are unclear, contact the school or instructor for more information on the required skill level.
Musical theater classes can be tailored to teach anyone from complete beginners to seasoned professionals, so cost and availability are important considerations. Professional classes, in general, may require more hours in class and rehearsal, as well as a higher price tag. Some classes are geared toward putting on a musical revue or fully staged show, and may include dozens of hours of rehearsal time as well as a strict performance schedule. Basic classes may only require a few hours per week, whereas summer camps or after-school workshops for children and young adults are possible options. Knowing how much a class will cost and how much time it will take can help you decide if it will fit into your current work or school schedule.
Some actors enjoy working with small community theater companies, while others aspire to become stars in Manhattan or London. Students interested in pursuing a career as a professional actor may require far more intensive training, including private lessons and even college degree programs. While no training program can guarantee a career in show business, dedicating several years to private acting, singing, and dance lessons, as well as audition skills classes, can help aspiring professionals gain a competitive advantage. Actors who want to participate in musical theater for fun may only need a few basic acting courses to get started; local theater companies and junior colleges frequently offer musical theater classes throughout the year with the goal of attracting new, non-professional actors to their communities.