Emma Clifford, a West End star who now works for the ICMT with Grace O'Carolan, from Aghyaran and Eathan Harkin from Strabane who will be attending the open day at the ICMT in Belfast. They are pictured at a promotional event in the Firs Tree Hotel , Strabane earlier this week.
Belfast doesn’t often appear in the same sentence as London, New York, and Rome. But, whilst few may realise it, Belfast is actually home to one of just four International College of Musical Theatre campuses alongside these major global cities. And the college – based at Derryvolgie Avenue - is opening its doors to try to find Northern Ireland’s next West End stars.
Talented local people are being invited to attend an open day at the college on Friday 6th August, when they will have the chance to meet industry tutors, including West End stars, find out about the courses on offer, and test their skills alongside some of the best in the business.
The ICMT: International College of Musical Theatre offers world-class musical theatre training taught by West End and Broadway professionals. It has had a college in Belfast for three years and has taught and nurtured more than 50 local people including several who have gone on to become professional theatre stars.
To extend its offering here, the college is now providing a One-Year Part-Time Diploma in Musical Theatre Foundation Course starting in Belfast this September. The course is designed to provide intensive practical training to help improve skills and develop confidence in a positive, encouraging environment. It provides practical training including singing, dancing and acting every day of the course.
Ryan J Edwards and Jack Munro who trained with the ICMT in Belfast pictured appearing in RENT at the Bridewell Theatre in London recently. Photo credit Craig Sugden.
Kenneth Avery Clark, Principal of the ICMT says that the open day is intended to promote the new diploma and help find some of Northern Ireland’s incredible talent who could go on to become musical theatre stars.
“We know Northern Ireland has incredible talent and we know that there are many people here who could really benefit from our new diploma course and go on to forge a successful career in musical theatre. But we also know that Northern Ireland people can be a little shy about their talent. So, we are offering the opportunity for local people to dip their toe in the water by coming to our open day to test their skills and find out how we can help and develop them,” Kenneth says.
“Musical theatre is an incredible career with so many opportunities and we can offer a really strong foundation in the industry through our new course. It encourages you to be a multi-skilled, reflective performer in musical theatre, preparing and performing a programme of work that shows professional potential,” Kenneth adds.
Those who complete the new course will attain the equivalent of a Level 4 Diploma awarded by Trinity College London through the ICMT. They can also then audition for ICMT’s international courses and potentially train on the ICMT’s full time course.
Those 16 and over who have a passion for musical theatre can email info@theicmt.com for further information or visit the website below: