Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre at The McDonald College is built around a simple but rare idea: that training in singing, dancing, and acting belongs in the school day, not after it.

Students in Years 7 to 12 spend up to two hours every day developing their craft alongside a full academic curriculum, in one of the only schools in Australia where that’s possible.

The goal is a genuine triple threat. Students enter the stream with strength in at least one discipline and leave with confidence across all three. It takes time, consistency, and the kind of daily immersion that weekend classes can’t replicate.

Our teaching staff are working performers and experienced educators who know what professional audition rooms expect. They bring that knowledge into every class, pushing students to find their individual voice within the demands of an ensemble.

The results speak for themselves. McDonald College Musical Theatre alumni have performed in Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, Phantom of the Opera, Come from Away, and Jagged Little Pill, on stages across Australia, on Broadway, and internationally.

At the College, students perform in full-length productions that run for five to six days, staged with the production values of a professional show, giving them real experience of what a performance season demands before they graduate. Recent productions have included City of Angels, A Chorus Line, Chicago and Mathilda.

What you will learn

Students experience a variety of classes and genres of performance, including:

  • musical theatre repertoire
  • drama skills
  • vocal technique
  • singing for both group and solo numbers
  • dance in various forms
  • performance
  • audition technique and preparation, and
  • history of musical theatre.

Performance opportunities

We offer our students a myriad of performance opportunities to help prepare them for real-world careers in their area of focus.

  • Full-length Musical Theatre production every year
  • High Performance Week
  • Open Days, formal functions, and assemblies
  • Local community organisations and commercial groups from time to time.

Where appropriate, performance excursions are offered during the year to glean the magic of musical theatre storytelling.

Every second year, our Musical Theatre students are offered the chance to visit the USA for the Broadway experience. This encompasses masterclasses and specialist workshops at the most prestigious studios in New York, in addition to seeing Broadway shows and soaking up the vibes of the Big Apple. The trip also includes backstage workshops at Disneyland. Our most recent US tour was in April 2026.

In addition to the technical skills required to be a musical theatre performer, students will develop vital and transferable ‘soft skills’ such as

  • courage
  • versatility
  • empathy
  • resilience, and
  • teamwork.

Program structure

Years 3 – 6

Students in Years 3 – 6 are offered a taste of Musical Theatre on their elective Performing Arts day once a week.

Years 7 – 12

Students receive 10 hours of training per week.

Possible career paths

Musical theatre students will graduate as well-rounded performers, prepared for further education or ready to audition for professional productions. The beauty of musical theatre is that graduates can also choose to focus on a career in the discipline that they feel the most passion for.

  • Dancer
  • Actor
  • Singer / songwriter
  • Performers in musicals
  • Choreographer
  • Musical Theatre teacher / coach.

Some graduates choose a different path by undertaking tertiary study or pursuing successful careers in completely different arenas.

ATTEND AN OPEN DAY

Does my child need to be equally skilled in singing, dancing, and acting to audition?

No. Students auditioning for the Musical Theatre stream should have a strong foundation in at least one of the three disciplines, with a genuine desire to develop the others. The program is designed to build well-rounded performers over time.

When can students join the Musical Theatre?

Auditions are held four times a year for students entering Years 7 through 12. Students in Years 3 to 6 also receive a weekly introduction to Musical Theatre as part of their performing arts program.

How much time do Musical Theatre students spend training each week?

Students in Years 7 to 12 receive 10 hours of Musical Theatre training per week, integrated into their school timetable alongside their full academic curriculum. They can also attend after hours classes or get private tuition if they need to further improve their skills.

What are the school productions like?

Musical Theatre students perform in full-length productions staged over five to six days, with professional-standard production values including full design, costumes, lighting, and sound. These are not end-of-year concerts. They are the closest thing to a professional performance season a student can experience before entering the industry.

Do Musical Theatre students still complete their HSC?

Yes. All students at The McDonald College complete a full NESA-aligned academic curriculum and work toward their HSC alongside their stream training. We offer HSC Dance, HSC Drama and HSC Music as 2 unit HSC subjects.

What are the career outcomes for Musical Theatre graduates?

Graduates go on to professional performance careers, further study at conservatoriums and performing arts colleges, or choose paths in choreography, directing, and arts education. Some of Australia’s most recognisable musical theatre performers trained here.

How do I apply for the Musical Theatre stream?

You can register for an audition. Auditions are held four times a year. If you need more information, get in touch with our Registrar on the details below.

Get in touch with our Registrar

02 9752 0507 | registrar@mcdonald.nsw.edu.au

McDonald College Musical Theatre Stream