Musical Theater Classes in Lausanne and Geneva

We welcome children from age 6. By that age, they have the maturity to follow a one-hour group class and have fun while learning. Of course, teens are welcome too – we offer groups divided by appropriate age ranges (juniors, pre-teens/teens) so that everyone progresses alongside peers at a similar developmental stage. There’s no maximum age as long as the motivation is there: our teen classes even include students up to 16–17 years old.

Yes, absolutely! No prior experience is required to join us. On the contrary – musical theater is an excellent way to discover acting, singing, and dancing in a playful setting. Our teachers adapt to each student’s level – whether complete beginner or already familiar with the stage – so that everyone can progress without feeling lost. The first sessions cover the basics of each discipline, which allows newcomers to get comfortable gradually. Your budding artist will be guided step by step with kindness. Many students start out shy and inexperienced and, thanks to the encouraging atmosphere, quickly learn the fundamentals. So don’t worry: everyone starts from their own level and grows at their own pace. The important thing is motivation and the joy of participating!

Yes, and it’s actually ideal for shy kids because it allows them to express themselves in a fun, supportive environment. By taking part in theater games, singing in a group, and letting loose dancing, your child will learn to open up little by little. At Apolline, we make a point of creating a climate of trust: no teasing, mistakes are okay, everyone progresses without judgment. Often, reserved children blossom over the weeks: they dare to speak up in front of others, make themselves heard by singing a verse, and eventually enjoy being on stage. Playing a character can also help them come out of their shell, since they no longer feel like it’s them up there. Plus, the group’s support and the teacher’s encouragement are reassuring. Many parents tell us that after a few months of class, their shy child has gained confidence at school and in daily life. Musical theater builds self-esteem in a remarkable way, all while respecting each child’s individual pace.

Classes are held weekly, and you can find the addresses of our venues by referring to the map on this page. Our detailed schedule is available upon registration (click the sign-up button to view it). We do our best to align class times with kids’ school schedules. Currently, in Lausanne and Geneva we offer several afternoon time slots, primarily on Wednesdays, depending on the age group. There are no classes during major school holidays (Christmas, Easter, summer) so that children and parents can take a breather. Classes resume after each break according to the calendar established at the start of the year.

If the school year has already started, don’t worry: it’s possible to join the workshop along the way (as long as spots are available). We regularly welcome new students mid-trimester — registrations are open from May to January. When a participant joins a class in progress, the teacher takes some time to get them up to speed and integrate them smoothly into the group. The tuition will be adjusted pro-rata for the remaining sessions. Feel free to contact us to check availability if the year has already begun. Note: once rehearsal for the year-end show is underway and roles are assigned (generally around January–February), it becomes difficult or even impossible to add someone to the group, and you would then have to wait for the next school year.

Yes, each year culminates in a wonderful end-of-year show prepared by the students! It’s a major highlight that everyone looks forward to, giving a motivating goal throughout the classes. At this performance – usually part of our Apolline Fest (the annual festival of our arts school) – each class gets on stage to perform a piece that was chosen in class with the teacher. The Little Mermaid, Oliver Twist, Mary Poppins, and many others have featured in our programs. It’s an opportunity for your young talent to show what they’ve learned in front of a supportive audience (family, friends…) and to feel the adrenaline of a real performance.
Of course, participation in the show is not mandatory: if a student doesn’t feel ready or comfortable, we never force them. But in practice, almost all the kids want to take part because the atmosphere is so joyful and encouraging. It isn’t an exam, just a celebration of the journey accomplished. And after the show, what a joy for them to receive applause and congratulations! Many come away even more confident and proud of themselves.

No, we don’t issue an official diploma at the end of the year – and this is a deliberate educational choice. Our philosophy is to prioritize the pleasure of learning and personal growth over performance measured by an exam. Therefore, there are no end-of-year tests or grades, and consequently no diploma. Instead, we focus on events that allow students to perform in front of an audience and receive genuine recognition (applause, positive feedback) without the pressure of an exam.
That said, if a student wishes to pursue an official arts track later on, we are happy to provide, upon request, a certificate of course completion or even individual recommendation letters written by our team. For teens aiming, for example, to enter a conservatory or arts school, our mentors – all of whom are qualified professionals – can also offer an intensive curriculum to prepare them as needed, in addition to the regular recreational class. In sum, there’s no internal diploma, but we do provide tailored support for those who want to go further.

Yes, the first class always serves as a trial. We know it’s important to test the atmosphere and teaching style to be sure your child feels comfortable. You can therefore sign up for a year-long program without fear, as you’re not immediately committing for the whole year. After this trial, if your child enjoys the workshop (and we bet they will!), all they need to do is come to the next session to confirm their enrollment.
If for any reason it wasn’t a good fit, you’re free to either request to try a different group/time slot or to cancel the enrollment entirely, at no charge. This trial session is a chance to meet the instructor, discover the classroom in Lausanne or Geneva, and see if the chemistry with the group is right. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of it – it provides great reassurance for both parents and kids before starting the adventure! (To schedule a trial, just register for the desired time slot via the sign-up form.)

Yes, we offer a 10% sibling discount on the fee for the second participant (and any additional siblings) enrolled in our programs. In practice, if you enroll two members of the same family in annual courses (any discipline), the second gets a 10% reduction on their tuition. This discount applies to both the monthly payment plan and the one-time annual payment. We are a small, family-oriented organization and we want to encourage siblings to flourish together in our artistic activities. It’s also a little helping hand for the parents’ budget. Be sure to mention it when signing up your second child, and the discount will be applied.

No need to invest in costly gear: no special equipment is required to start. We simply recommend comfortable clothing in which your young talent can move easily – for example, sweatpants or leggings, a t-shirt, and dance slippers (ballet shoes) or clean sneakers so they feel free to move. Avoid very tight jeans or long skirts that could hinder dancing. No need for a costume: for classroom exercises, imagination is enough! The teacher may occasionally ask to bring small accessories during the year (for example, a cap, a scarf, or an object for a scene), but it will always be simple things you have at home. For the end-of-year show, the school already has the necessary costume pieces.
In summary, just send them with a water bottle, an outfit they can run and dance in, and your budding artist’s good mood! We’ll take care of the rest.

We keep our groups small to preserve teaching quality and a friendly atmosphere. Our musical theater pieces are designed for groups of about 6 to 14 students, and our classes are sized accordingly. A small class allows the teacher to give attention to each child, personalize feedback, and ensure every young performer can fully express themselves. It also creates a trusting environment where everyone gets to know each other quickly. It guarantees no one feels lost in the crowd: each student will have their place on stage and be valued individually.
Conversely, we also make sure to have at least around 5–6 students in a class to encourage a troupe dynamic and group camaraderie.

Not at all! Our program is conducted primarily in French, but we regularly have students who are not French-speaking or who are bilingual. Our staff is used to multicultural groups and is patient with those still learning French. Moreover, musical theater is a very visual and physical art: kids understand a lot through movement, example, and imitation, even if they don’t catch every word. In fact, it’s an excellent way for your child to learn French in a fun way, by memorizing songs and lines!
We make sure no student feels left out because of language. On the contrary, this mix of cultures enriches the group – everyone learns from each other. For example, if one participant is comfortable in English, we might even incorporate a bit of English into their role in the show, depending on the script. We are very open-minded and encourage each student to bring their own culture and uniqueness. Integration generally goes very well: theater and music create bonds beyond words. Your young performer will gain confidence by expressing themselves on stage, and they’ll make friends without language barriers.

If they’re absent for a session (illness, family event, school trip…), it’s not a big deal. There’s no penalty, and they’ll rejoin the group the following session. We just appreciate being informed if possible – a quick WhatsApp message to the teacher is great – so the teacher can slightly adapt the lesson plan. In case of an absence, the instructor or classmates will take time to summarize what was done (for example, the new measures of a song or dance steps added). Since the class is a team effort, we’ll make sure they catch up quickly.
If there are multiple absences in a row, we can consider sending materials (text, audio, a video of choreography) so they can practice at home and return more confident. We don’t offer automatic one-on-one make-up classes, but the group’s support and the teacher’s help are usually enough to get them back on track.

Yes, absolutely! Apolline offers intensive camps in all artistic domains during school vacations – whether it’s summer break, the October fall break, the “Relâches” winter break, the Carnival/Mardi Gras break, or Easter. These workshops are open to young artists of all levels – whether they want to discover a discipline or deepen a passion. The camps take place in Lausanne, Geneva, Morges or Yverdon, and last 5 days, running from morning to late afternoon, with a pace that allows a great immersion in the artistic universe.
Participants experience a true collective adventure: creating original scenes, working on improv, vocal exploration, an introduction to dance, and even preparing a real show presented at the end of the week. The instruction is provided by passionate teachers in a joyful, caring atmosphere. These camps are very popular with kids (and parents!) because they combine artistic intensity, the fun of performing, and new friendships.
Whether your child is already used to our weekly classes or completely new, these out-of-school experiences are an excellent way to improve while having fun. And as always at Apolline, the joy of learning and highlighting each individual is at the heart of the experience.

Yes, singing is an integral part of the program, so our workshops do indeed include a singing component. In practice, in almost every session, a portion of the class is devoted to learning to sing: vocal warm-ups, breathing technique, working on the show’s songs, etc. Students learn to project their voice, to sing in a group and solo, and to interpret lyrics with emotion.
However, it’s true that the class also covers dance and acting. If there is a desire to delve deeper specifically into singing (advanced vocal technique, a wider repertoire outside the show context), it’s absolutely possible to arrange individual or small-group coaching with one of our voice instructors. It’s by no means required, but some passionate kids choose to add that to progress even faster. In summary: yes, we sing a lot in class, but for ultra-focused vocal training, the option of separate singing lessons exists as well.

While the two disciplines share common ground (stage acting, characters, storytelling), they are actually quite distinct activities. A standard theater class focuses mainly on pure drama: acting roles, working with scripts, physical expression, and improvisation, with no musical component. A musical theater class, on the other hand, is all about musical theater – it integrates singing and dancing numbers in addition to acting. In practical terms, in musical theater your child will learn choreography, burst into song, then transition into dialogues, whereas in a theater class they would stick to spoken acting only. Musical theater therefore demands versatility and often a greater physical commitment: they have to work on their voice and their physical conditioning to dance, all while developing their acting. It’s more physically demanding, but also very comprehensive and fun for those who love to move to music.
Another point of difference is the goal: in straight theater you often put on a play or perform scenes, whereas in musical theater you prepare a show mixing songs, dances, and acting. Depending on your young performer’s personality and interests, they might prefer one or the other. Some students start with acting classes to build confidence, then move to musical theater for the added singing/dancing challenge. Others do both in parallel! At Apolline, we offer both types of classes, so feel free to ask us for advice to guide you toward the best fit.

Indeed, it combines three artistic disciplines in one, offering those who participate a multi-dimensional form of growth. Here are a few great reasons to choose an activity like this:

• Discover multiple passions at once: If your child loves to sing, move, and make up stories, this allows them to do it all at the same time! They don’t have to choose between singing, dancing, or acting classes – they get to try everything and can find what they enjoy most.
• Develop a variety of skills: By practicing this art form, students improve their voice (pitch, breath control) as much as their stage presence, their motor coordination, their memory (remembering scripts and choreography), and their ability to work as a team. Few activities encompass such diverse skills.
• Gain confidence and creativity: Daring to sing in front of others, playing a character, performing on stage… these are real challenges that, once overcome, give kids a big confidence boost. They learn to express themselves without fear and to be creatively bold. This confidence carries over into everyday life (speaking up in class, asserting themselves, feeling at ease in public).
• Enjoy a rich group experience: Being part of a troupe means joining a close-knit group where everyone has an important role. Students learn to help each other (if one forgets a step, another helps them), the discipline of working together (entering stage at the right moment), and they share the nerves and then the joy of a successful show. This forges strong friendships and team spirit.
• Have fun and escape everyday stress: These classes offer a fantastic world where one can become a singing pirate, a dancing princess, a Broadway hero… For kids, it’s a wonderful way to decompress from school pressures while having fun. They burn off energy dancing and let out emotions singing – a healthy balance of discipline and play.

In summary, doing musical theater allows a child to blossom artistically while developing valuable personal assets. It’s a complete and motivating hobby that combines art and fun. Many of our students start “just to see what it’s like” and end up loving it, because they discover a true passion that helps them grow. So why not give it a try?

Currently, unfortunately, we do not offer musical theater classes for adults. If sufficient demand arises, we will likely consider opening a group in the future, so feel free to let us know if you’re interested!

Currently, the youngest group we welcome is age 6 (roughly Kindergarten age), because before that it’s difficult to conduct a structured one-hour musical theater session. For the very little ones (4–5 years), we offer music and movement introduction classes, but not full musical theater yet. That may come eventually – perhaps in the form of a “Baby Broadway” workshop adapted for that age – if we see enough demand.
As for older age groups, our teen classes go up to about 17 years old. For adults and seniors, we don’t have any class or workshop dedicated to them at the moment, but we are definitely open to the idea. Musical theater can be enjoyed at any age, and singing/dancing can do a world of good for older adults, too!

Every child has their own personality and developmental pace, and truthfully it isn’t necessary to have “innate talent” to enjoy musical theater. However, certain signs might show that your future star is particularly comfortable or gifted for the stage:

• They love to attract positive attention: For example, they’re not shy about putting on little shows at home, singing in front of the family, telling jokes or doing impressions. If they readily try to make people laugh or feel emotions, that’s a good sign.
• They have a big imagination: They invent stories, often play dress-up, turn the living room into an impromptu theater stage, showing a natural love of play-acting.
• They are captivated by movies/musicals: If they adore watching Frozen or The Lion King and singing along, or if they take an interest in shows they see, that reveals an affinity for this world.
• They dance or sing all the time: In the shower, in the car, whenever there’s music, they start moving… A young music-lover or very rhythmic child could really shine in musical theater.
• They enjoy group activities: Musical theater is a team effort. If they like working in a group, cooperating with kids their age, they will thrive on stage as part of an ensemble.
• Feedback from teachers or others: Perhaps a school teacher or an activity leader has told you “your child has real artistic potential” after seeing how they express themselves. Comments like that can hint at a talent.

That said, even if your young performer doesn’t check all these boxes or is on the quiet side, classes are there precisely to develop their talent. Many great artists started out shy and only revealed their ability through practice. The most important thing is that they want to try – talent can be nurtured! Through our classes in Lausanne and Geneva, we’ve seen kids discover incredible abilities in singing or acting that they never knew they had. So encourage them to give it a go and see if it clicks. No matter what, they will always get something positive out of it (confidence, general culture, etc.). Every child has potential that’s just waiting to be expressed, and we’re here to help them do it.

Our rates are detailed above (see the Pricing section) and depend on the class duration. For example, 60-minute weekly classes cost CHF 79 per month (or CHF 900 for the year), and 90-minute weekly classes are CHF 99 per month (CHF 1150 per year). These amounts include everything (registration, basic materials, instruction, etc.). We want to make our classes accessible by finding arrangements when necessary. Furthermore, as mentioned, we offer a 10% sibling discount on the second child enrolled. There are no hidden fees – even the year-end show costume is handled in an economical way (loaners, in-class DIY, etc.).

Yes. In addition to group classes, we offer personalized coaching sessions on request. For example, if a student is preparing for an important audition (to join a company or an arts competition), we can organize a few private sessions to help them polish their performance, work on their stage presence or their voice. This coaching is provided by our instructors depending on availability, usually outside of regular class hours. The content is tailor-made: it could be vocal coaching, working on the interpretation of a song, or even help with staging a monologue.
We also provide artistic guidance for young people who want to pursue their passion further (for instance, applying to a professional school or university in Switzerland or abroad). We can prepare recommendation letters, help put together an artistic portfolio, or even suggest other complementary classes (classical dance, opera singing, etc.).

Our classes are organized by age range, which tends to group students of relatively similar experience. However, there may be cases where, say, one 9-year-old has done 3 years of dance while another 10-year-old is a total beginner, in the same junior class. In such situations, we adapt our teaching to ensure each child is valued. For example, during a dance number, the more experienced student might be given a slightly more complex variation of a step, or even act as a “lead” to demonstrate to the rest of the group. Conversely, the beginner is encouraged and reassured – we remind them that everyone progresses at their own pace.
Since our classes are small, this individualization is easy to put in place: the teacher knows each student’s strengths and weaknesses. We stress team spirit with no internal competition. Everyone gets their moment to shine. Thus, even a less experienced student can have a little singing solo if they want, and a more experienced student won’t get bored because we’ll always give them material to push themselves further. We work to avoid any significant skill gaps, and we might suggest a group change if we deem it necessary to ensure each child is with peers of similar level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced). But that’s rare, because the common passion and enthusiasm make the groups progress together, pulling each other up. And the more “seasoned” kids develop their leadership by helping others, which is also a wonderful skill to acquire.

We consider parents our partners in each student’s success. Throughout the year, we put in place several measures to involve you and keep you informed without being intrusive. First, you’ll receive email newsletters each month to summarize the school’s news. You are always welcome to sit in on a class during the year – our team is happy to welcome you, introduce themselves, and answer your questions during a session.
In addition, we remain reachable at any time: you can speak with the teacher at the end of class for quick feedback, or set up a meeting to discuss your little artist’s progress, any difficulties, or special wishes. Finally, for the end-of-year show, we often invite willing parents to give a hand with logistics (costumes, sets, final rehearsals) – with no obligation of course. Those who wish to can thus experience the show preparation from the inside, which is very convivial (a bit like a small family theater troupe where everyone pitches in). We make sure to communicate in a transparent and regular way.

Our musical theater classes already offer a wide range of skills (singing, dancing, acting). Depending on the year’s show theme, it’s absolutely possible to enrich the experience with specific workshop topics.
Tap Dance: If the year-end performance calls for it, we might include an introductory tap dance workshop for a term or more. For example, shows like Singin’ in the Rain or 42nd Street are iconic and feature tap dancing. If the students are interested, adding a taste of tap is definitely possible.
Improvisation: Improv is a tool we use often to help aspiring performers reach their full potential. Improv is all about daring and taking risks. As such, an improv module is a common part of any theater or musical theater course with us. Theatrical improvisation builds spontaneity and creativity, and also helps students connect with their own emotions. These additions allow them to discover other facets of performing without overloading the schedule.
In parallel, Apolline also organizes masterclasses (one-off intensive workshops outside the regular program) in various areas, such as K-pop dance or advanced singing. Each workshop is led by one or more guest instructors, often focusing on specific dance styles or particular vocal techniques (for example, a Broadway masterclass to learn an iconic choreography). These supplementary workshops are announced during the year and open to our enrolled students, sometimes with a small additional fee if it’s an outside guest teacher. Our goal is to keep things fresh and offer the students an even broader artistic palette, while still keeping it fun and accessible.

We don’t conduct formal exams or give numerical grades in our classes. Each student’s progress happens continuously and in a personalized way. In each weekly session, the instructor observes what each child has learned and where they have difficulties, then adjusts their teaching accordingly. We may occasionally invite parents to a small informal presentation or an open class at the end of a term to show the work done, but it’s not obligatory. The idea is that the student notices their progress naturally: for example, they can hit a note they couldn’t reach at the start, or they dare to speak out louder than before. We favor immediate positive feedback and celebrating successes rather than report cards.
If you would like a one-on-one update on your child’s progress, it’s absolutely possible to arrange a meeting with the teacher – we are attentive and available. And of course, the big indicator of progress is the year-end show: often parents can’t get over how they see their budding stars on stage, transformed and so at ease! In terms of levels, our groups are designed to be fairly homogeneous by age, but if a student is particularly advanced, we may give them a few extra challenges (a solo, a slightly more complex role) to feed their artistic appetite without pulling them out of their group.

Learning lines (and songs) is part of every performer’s work. It can seem intimidating at first, but there are a few effective methods to make memorization easier:

• Understand and visualize: Start by having them read the script thoroughly to understand the story and the character’s intentions. Encourage your child to imagine the scene in their head like a movie while reading their lines – this gives meaning to the words. If they grasp what they’re saying and why they’re saying it, they’ll remember it much better than by rote memorization.
• Practice regularly in small chunks: It’s better to review or recite the lines a little bit each day than to try to learn everything in one go the night before rehearsal. Memory needs spaced repetition. 10 minutes here and there is ideal for cementing the text. You could stick the script on the fridge and have them read a section each evening, for example.
• Write or draw the lines: For some, rewriting their lines by hand greatly helps memorization (using visual and muscle memory). Others might prefer to draw a little comic strip of the scene they’re learning, or highlight the first letter of each sentence… Anything that engages another sense beyond just reading is helpful.
• Use a prompter (practice with someone): Practicing in pairs is fantastic. You, as a parent, or a sibling can read the other characters’ lines and prompt your young actor on their lines without them looking at the script. If they get stuck, help by starting the line for them. This method is very effective for locking in dialogue.
• Use recordings: Another trick is to record the entire scene’s dialogue (either by a parent or using the child’s own phone), leaving gaps for your child’s lines. Then have them listen to the audio and try to say their lines at the right moments during the silences. It’s great practice, especially if they learn by hearing (auditory memory).
• Move while reciting: Many people learn better while moving (kinesthetic memory). Encourage your child to walk around their room while saying their lines, to mime their actions at the same time, or even attach a specific gesture to a tricky line. By repeating it this way, the body will help the memory – under the stage lights they’ll remember, “oh right, when I lift my arm it’s this line.”
• Break it into small sections: Instead of trying to learn a long speech all at once, have them learn it line by line – or better, cue by cue, taking into account what comes right before. Once one line is solid, add the next, and so on, then string it all together.
• Test themselves: Finally, once they think they know it, have them test themselves in fun ways: for instance, cover the page and try to recite it, or ask someone to prompt them with a random cue from the text to see if they can respond in character.

And of course, in class, the teacher also works on memorization with the students through onstage practice and repetition. With these techniques, learning their lines will become much easier and even fun. Remember, the key is consistency: a little bit every day is better than cramming right before the performance. And no need to panic – if they have a memory lapse on the big day, there’s always a classmate there to cover for them, so it’s no big deal!

Musical theater has certain hallmark ingredients that make it unique as a form of show. Notably:

• Alternation of dialogue, songs, and dance: This is the foundation of a musical. The story is told both through the actors’ dialogue and through musical numbers. You expect to see characters speaking and then suddenly breaking into song, often accompanied by a group dance that expresses their emotions of the moment. This blend is an essential convention of musical theater.
• Heightened expressiveness: Everything is often a bit more exaggerated and expressive than in a classic play. Emotions are conveyed through music, amplified dance movements, powerful ensemble vocals… The performance style leans into the spectacular to move the audience, whether in very joyous, colorful moments or, on the flip side, in touching ballads.
• Ensemble musical numbers: You frequently get big group songs with the whole cast, romantic duets, poignant solo ballads by the lead character, etc. These musical numbers follow certain patterns – for example, the show-stopping opening number to kick off the show, or the grand finale that reprises the main theme…
• Often an optimistic or heartfelt story: Many musicals, even if they sometimes tackle serious subjects, maintain an accessible tone with humor, romance, a happy ending or at least a hopeful conclusion. The goal is to give the audience an experience of positive emotion and entertainment.
• The union of arts serving the story: Ultimately, the big “code” of a musical is that music and dance serve the narrative. A song will reveal a character’s feelings better than a long dialogue would. A dance will symbolize a conflict or a celebration. Everything is designed so that these artistic elements interweave into the story coherently.

In short, the conventions of musical theater combine singing (often with original songs written for the show), dancing (choreography), and acting (dialogue and drama) to create a total spectacle. That’s what makes it so charming and magical: we willingly accept that at any moment a character might start singing their heart out, and we let ourselves be carried away!

Characters in musicals can be very diverse depending on the story, but there are a few archetypes or common traits we often see:

• Usually a lovable hero or heroine as the main protagonist. He or she has a dream to fulfill or an obstacle to overcome (winning a dance contest, finding a lost love, saving the family cabaret… anything is possible!). This is a character the audience can believe in and identify with.
• Opposite them, typically an antagonist (the “villain”) who creates conflict or throws obstacles in the hero’s path. Sometimes this character is cartoonish, other times more nuanced, but usually also charismatic – think The Phantom of the Opera, or Miss Hannigan in Annie.
• Lots of colorful secondary characters: the funny best friend, the confidant, the mentor, the ensemble troupe, etc. They bring depth and often a diversity of personalities. For example, in The Lion King musical, you have Simba the hero and Scar the villain, but also Timon and Pumbaa the comic sidekicks.
• Often, the characters in a musical have a passion for performing arts: They might be singers, dancers, or actors within the story itself, or the story revolves around putting on a show. For instance, in Singin’ in the Rain, the protagonists are film actors in the 1920s movie musical era; in Billy Elliot, the boy wants to become a dancer. This kind of self-referential art theme is common.
• Finally, the characters’ style is often shaped by the musical’s setting or era: You might have period characters (e.g. the 1880s high-society costumes of My Fair Lady), iconic rival groups (the “Jets” and “Sharks” in West Side Story representing two communities), or completely fantastical characters (the felines in Cats). It all depends on the show, but the important thing is that each character gets their moment of glory in song that reveals their personality.

In summary, a typical musical features a range of very engaging, expressive characters, from the courageous hero to the humorous sidekick, all brought to life by performers who sing and dance in their roles. This gallery of characters allows the audience to be thrilled, to laugh, to feel fear, to be moved… and to leave with stars in their eyes!

It’s hard to name just one, as it depends on the era and the audience, but if we have to give an iconic example, many would agree that The Phantom of the Opera ranks among the most famous musicals of all time. Created in 1986 in London by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this legendary show has been running non-stop for over 30 years around the world and has been seen by millions of spectators. It was also adapted into a film, translated into multiple languages, and has won numerous awards (including 7 Tony Awards). Its romantic-gothic storyline – a mysterious masked phantom haunts the Paris Opera House and falls in love with a young soprano, Christine – has captivated generations. And not to mention its globally famous songs like “The Music of the Night” or “All I Ask of You,” which still echo in your mind long after the performance!
Of course, other hugely famous musicals deserve a mention: Les Misérables, Cats, West Side Story, Mamma Mia!, and more recently Hamilton… Each has made its mark on the culture. But if your young talent becomes passionate about musical theater, there’s a good chance they’ll hear about The Phantom of the Opera sooner or later, so iconic is it in the genre. They might even end up singing an excerpt from it in class – who knows?