Passion for Studying Musical Theatre: Personal Statement

Imagine you are on stage waiting for the stage lights to shine. It’s dark. You begin to feel the music of the orchestra in your heart. All that exists in that moment is you, the intricate music and the story you’re about to perform. Live theatre is amazing. Being able to change a person’s view on an important issue through a performance, or being able to put someone in a better mental state through theatre is powerful.

I want to study Musical Theatre because there is nothing else I could study that would give me the same sense of fulfilment. As a resilient performer, I believe that a three year course in Musical Theatre is the perfect step to take, to both stretch me as a performer, in preparation for a future theatrical career. “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything. ” - Plato. This quote supports me in my belief that the Arts should be compulsory to all students in secondary school. The Arts improves self-confidence and memory through rehearsing lines. Physical fitness is also enriched through the Arts as performing requires intensive movement. Finally, the Arts is fun as it brings elements of play and humour, which in turn improves motivation and reduces stress in students, improving their overall academic life. This is part of the reason that the Arts appeal to me as it creates a well-rounded person as well as a performer.

Since my love for musical theatre really started to flourish, I have become a member of a group called Musical Youth London (MYL). Through this group I have been part of the musical ‘Sister Act’ and have played the character of Captain Vonn Trapp from ‘The Sound of Music’. This production developed my stage skills, as I had forgotten a line and managed to get over this hurdle, which helped me become more professional on stage. Not only has this developed my confidence to sing and act in front of an audience. But it has also taught me different ways to get into character and adding this when performing a song. I received an award in MYL called ‘The Best Debut’. This was because despite being new to the group, I had managed to create new friends and connect with new people. I have helped the Drama Department in my school by assisting in the running of a Drama Club for Year Seven and Eights. I developed a lesson plan to teach the pupils about cross cutting, with games and a range of activities. This really developed my skills of leadership and confidence, which is imperative in becoming a well-rounded performer. Studying A-levels has allowed me to indulge my passion for Theatre. Sociology has helped me think more critically about things in society and supported my devised performances. Through my Drama and Theatre Studies A level course I have learnt the techniques of Bertolt Brecht in devising a piece, explained Greek theatre through learning the play Antigone by Sophocles and learned some of Stanislavski’s method to get into a character. To further deepen my knowledge in acting, as part of my Extended Project Qualification I focused my research on acting techniques used in film to find out which was the most effective. I researched the following techniques: Stanislavski’s System, Method Acting, Chekhov Technique, Practical Aesthetics and Classical Acting with case studies such as Heath Ledger and Anthony Hopkins. This really helped me widen my knowledge of different acting techniques. This project has helped me understand the different ways actors get into character. As well as being a conscientious student I am also enthusiastic and participate in many hobbies and activities including playing guitar and piano, taking care of animals and watching plays such as, The Play That Goes Wong, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery and the Woman in Black. Two of these plays were put together by the company Mischief Theatre Company in which I hope to work with in the future. It is evident that my love for learning will make me an excellent candidate for your course.

To gain further vocational experience I took part in a Theatre and Performance Summer School through Goldsmiths, University of London. During a 5-day summer school, we had lessons on improvisation and verbatim which we used to put together a performance at the end of the summer course to showcase to a small audience. This experience increased my confidence and taught me how to conduct myself as a young performer and build networks with fellow young performers. Outside of acting and performing I volunteered at a local charity shop, I learnt a number of skills and developed certain attributes about myself that has helped me to grow as a person. I furthered my communication skills and confidence through dealing with customers; this will help me when working in a group and meeting new people.

I am constantly absorbing the emotional and physical traits of other people, and it is possibly this which has made me able to get it into my own mind to create real emotions on stage. It is my ambition to perform, and I have already begun to collect a resource of skills and knowledge which will only be enhanced by additional study and practise. The unique opportunities of a Musical Theatre degree will be instrumental in achieving my goals of performing and I look forward to the exceptional challenges and rewards ahead.