Creative Musical Theatre Workshop 2026

 

SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION HOW TO APPLY FOR A PLACE IN OUR WORKSHOP

  

Creative Musical Theatre Workshop — Summer 2026 (for ages 14–18)

with Tony Finnegan, Annalisa Monticelli & Ross Scanlon

Sunday 17th May (Prep Day*) + Monday 22nd - Friday 26th of June 2026 (Workshop Week)

 

"Come! Join the revolution!

Calling all young Musical Theatre enthusiasts! Join us for a vibrant, week‑long creative immersion exploring one of Broadway and the West End’s greatest stage successes.

Guided by a team of industry professionals, this dynamic workshop invites emerging performers to strengthen their skills, expand their artistic toolkit, and collaborate toward an end‑of‑week showcase on RIAM’s Whyte Recital Hall stage, for family and friends.

Across the week, participants will take part in an energetic blend of singing, acting, character exploration, and ensemble work — all designed to build confidence, stretch creativity, and celebrate the joy of Musical Theatre.

  

 

Top 5 Workshop Activities & Goals

• Shape a Cohesive Performance Piece

Participants will work collaboratively to craft a unified showcase moment, blending expressive singing, character clarity, and strong storytelling to create a polished end‑of‑course performance.

• Develop Strong Character Skills

Through guided exercises and exploration of motivation, emotional truth, and backstory, performers will learn to build layered, believable characters that elevate both solo and ensemble work.

• Strengthen Vocal Technique

Vocal sessions will explore breath support, tone, diction, and projection — essential tools for tackling ensemble harmonies and confidently stepping into solo moments.

• Deepen Storytelling Ability

Participants will develop their ability to convey narrative, emotion, and character arc through voice, expression, and intention, even in moments without choreography.

• Build Confidence in Solo Singing

With supportive coaching and space to experiment, young performers will explore solo material, discover their vocal identity, and grow their individual stage presence.

 

 

Application & Audition Video Guidelines

Please use our Creative Musical Theatre Workshop - Summer 2026 – Application Form to submit your details and to receive a One-Time Upload Link for submission of an Audition Video.

Applicants are required to record a short audition video, presenting one of the pre-selected Audition Songs from our [Audition Song List].

This allows our team to see your singing, acting instincts, and overall potential as a developing Musical Theatre performer. Applications without a subsequent video submission cannot be considered. (Video Submission deadline Fri 27th March)

 

What to Prepare

Choose one of the pre‑selected audition pieces. Pick the one that feels right for your voice and personality.

• Your singing must be accompanied by either:

             - a live accompanist, or
             - a suitable backing track (Use one of the backing tracks provided or choose your own.)

•  No unaccompanied (a cappella) singing — we want to hear how you perform with proper musical support.

• Music Scores, Example Recordings and Backing Tracks are available through links in our [Audition Song List]

• The video should be recorded on a phone - a simple selfie‑style setup works perfectly.  (Recording quality should be set to SD (480p) or HD (720p), but not to Full HD (1080p) to avoid video file-sizes exceeding 500 Mega Byte (MB).

• The video should be either in .mp4 or .mov format 

• Label the finished video file as described in the requirements. (Name-Song Title-Submission date)

• Submit your video file via the One-Time Upload link which will be sent to you following receipt of your application form

 

How Your Audition Will Be Scored

Our panel will use a fair and supportive audition process, looking at:

• Technical proficiency (vocal accuracy, clarity, musicality)
• Artistic interpretation (emotional expression, storytelling, authenticity)
• Overall potential in the core disciplines of singing and acting

You do not need to be a fully polished performer — we’re looking for enthusiasm, creativity, and performers who are ready to learn, grow, and challenge themselves.

 

A Note for Applicants

This is your chance to show us who you are. Choose a piece you enjoy, take your time, and let your creativity and personality shine.

 

 

Registration & Selection Process

As workshop places are limited, participation is offered by invitation, based on the overall quality of each applicant’s audition video. Applicants who receive a first‑round invitation will be asked to complete their registration by a stated deadline. After this initial phase, a second round of invitations may be issued to applicants placed on the waiting list, depending on remaining availability. This process ensures fairness and helps maintain a balanced group of participants with a range of abilities and potential.

 

Application and Registration Schedule

Application:

Applications should be submitted by:                       Thu 19^th March

Submission deadline for Audition Videos:        Fri 27^th March

Panel assessment                                                       Mon 30^th March – Thu 2^nd April

 

Registration:

Course Registration (1^st round invitations):                Fri 3^rd - Wed 8^th April

Course Registrations (2^nd round invitations):              Thu 9^th - Sun 12^th April (subject to remaining available places – max. 25)

 

Course Schedule

Prep-Day* (1 day:  10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (at RIAM)         Sun 17^th May

- Role exploration and allocation

- Introduction to Ensemble numbers

- Hand-out of course materials (music scores etc.)

- Overview of course schedule

*The participation on the Prep-Day is essential for all registered Workshop Participants

 

Creative Workshop (5 days:  10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)          Mon 22^nd – Fri 26^th June

Showcase Presentation (Whyte Recital Hall, RIAM)         Fri 26^th June - 3:00-4:00 PM

(with free admission for participant's family members and friends)

TONY FINNEGAN — Director & Theatre Practitioner

Tony Finnegan is one of Ireland’s most experienced musical theatre directors, performers, and producers, with a career spanning major national venues and large‑scale productions. He is co‑founder of Festival Productions, established in 1999, which has created award‑winning musical theatre and operetta productions for the National Concert Hall and theatres across Ireland.

As both director and performer, Tony has led and appeared in productions such as The King and I, Annie (playing Daddy Warbucks), Oliver, Evita, The Pirates of Penzance, and Jesus Christ Superstar, bringing a wealth of practical knowledge, artistry, and theatrical insight to his teaching.

Beyond his creative work, Tony is a respected adjudicator and mentor in the Irish theatre community.

Tony brings deep expertise in character development, stagecraft, and ensemble storytelling, and is known for his supportive, enthusiastic approach to nurturing young performers.

 

 

ANNALISA MONTICELLI — Musical Director & Vocal Coach

Annalisa Monticelli is an internationally recognised pianist, singer, conductor, and vocal coach whose career spans Europe, Asia, North & South America. Trained in classical and jazz piano, voice, conducting, musicology, and composition across Italy, Argentina, and the United States, she holds multiple Master’s degrees awarded with highest honours.

She has worked extensively in Ireland as a collaborative pianist and Italian/vocal coach at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, as Lecturer‑Répétiteur and Programme Director of Musical Theatre at Dundalk Institute of Technology, and as a performance tutor at Maynooth University.

Annalisa is also Musical Director and co‑arranger for The Morricone Experience and has performed in all major Irish venues. Her teaching and performance work have taken her to Spain, Italy, Portugal, England, Scotland, Switzerland, Poland, France, Malaysia, and the USA.

With more than two decades of international performance and coaching experience, Annalisa brings exceptional musicianship, detailed vocal technique, and an inspiring, collaborative energy to young Musical Theatre artists.

 

 

ROSS SCANLON — Tenor & Musical Theatre Voice Specialist

Ross Scanlon is an acclaimed Irish tenor celebrated for the clarity, expressiveness, and versatility of his voice. Trained at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, where he received the Michael McNamara Gold Medal for excellence, and later at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Ross has built a distinguished career across opera, concert work, and musical theatre.

His performance portfolio includes roles with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, Irish Youth Opera, Opera Theatre Company Dublin, and Glasthule Opera. He has also appeared as a concert soloist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Irish Philharmonic Orchestra, and at international festivals.

In addition to performing, Ross is a highly sought‑after vocal teacher specialising in Musical Theatre, serving on the Vocal Faculty of The Lir Academy (Trinity College Dublin) and as a lecturer at MTU Cork School of Music. Many of his students now work professionally in London’s West End, the National Concert Hall, and international cruise productions.

Ross brings to the workshop a blend of high‑level performance expertise, deep pedagogical insight, and a passionate commitment to developing confident, expressive young singers.

 

- Participants need to be strictly between 14 - 18 years of age during the time of the course.

- Participants need to have previous experience with Musical Theatre/Drama (Singing / Acting) 

- It would be helpful if course participants had some level of reading music, but it is not a requirement, for participation in the workshop. However, if not native English speakers, participants should have a good command of the English language.

 

Here's what participants said about last year's Musical Theatre Workshop .

- The course was brilliant and very enjoyable for my daughter.

- My daughter really enjoyed the course and got a lot out of it. I would like to extend my thanks to the tutors.

- My son absolutely adored the course and would love to do more.

- My son had a great time with all the right things focused on.