Jiafan Xue had already trained at a classical conservatoire in China. But there was something unmatched in what the UK had to offer. She saw its “extensive practical, performance-based training” as the “ideal foundation” for the future of her career in the performing arts.
Julian Schwarz from Germany saw the appeal of the UK too, particularly in the country’s “high industry standards in musical theatre,” he says.
They eventually found themselves at the same place: Leeds Conservatoire’s School of Drama. The fact that Xue joined the MA Musical Theatre Company, while Schwarz enroled in the MA Musical Direction here is no mere coincidence.
This is a leading, multidisciplinary, and specialist European conservatoire. Facilities are state-of-the-art, filled with expert staff and with no shortage of professional opportunities. There are more but these are enough to show how essential Leeds Conservatoire is for anyone seeking to meet and surpass the demands of a perpetually evolving industry.
Image featuring Julian Schwarz at graduation. Source: Leeds Conservatoire
Becoming the complete performer
It didn’t take long for Xue to notice that rehearsals here felt different. Teaching is led by expert practitioners who “instill the working habits of real commercial theatre and share genuine industry creative approaches, enabling me to view rehearsals through the lens of a professional actor,” she shares.
For Schwarz, learning like a pro made the biggest difference. “Since the lecturers have all worked in their respective fields for years, they could create an atmosphere that made me feel like I was in a professional environment every day. But at the same time, I had the space to make mistakes and learn from them,” he explains. “I felt very encouraged to make my own decisions and lead my own rooms, which has boosted my leadership skills and confidence in my abilities.”
Leeds Conservatoire adopts an ensemble-based collective creation process, which means you’ll get to create something with people from other fields too. Xue and Schwarz, for instance, worked on “The Other Frances,” by Czech composer and writer Filip Holacky.
The same production provided a diverse range of lessons for each student. Xue says she “now considers the balance of ensemble scenes, the strengths of my fellow performers, and the overall narrative, rather than seeking merely to stand out individually.”
Schwarz, meanwhile, discovered what it meant to lead. “This production taught me a lot about time management and making decisions. I had to bring my entire skillset to lead rehearsals, orchestrate the whole show, and play four shows at the Leeds Theatre Festival,” he says. “It was a breathtaking experience that I will cherish forever!”
Leeds Conservatoire has a new building at Playhouse Square with specialist facilities, including dance and drama studios and music ensemble rooms. Source: Leeds Conservatoire
The many hands behind one production
Such opportunities aren’t reserved only for MA Musical Theatre Company and MA Musical Direction students. Placements in MA Directing put you in internal and external productions, while the School of Drama’s live performances season offers access to two actor-musician productions, four plays, and three musicals.
Through MA Dramaturgy’s holistic approach, including new writing, script development, devising, physical theatre, and dance-led performance, you’ll learn to adapt to the diverse creative processes in contemporary theatre. Then there’s the MA Musical Theatre Writing, with workshops and classes taught by leading composers, lyricists, directors, and creative practitioners.
Connecting all five programmes is Leeds Conservatoire’s close relationship with regional theatres and companies. That could mean working on a production at Leeds Playhouse (a leading production theatre and cultural hub), or, for directing, dramaturgy, musical direction, and musical theatre writing students, showcasing your work at the annual Leeds Theatre Festival.
Image features Jiafan Xue. Source: Leeds Conservatoire
This exposure matters. It’s how you’ll build the confidence and network to take your next step in theatre. “My time here has reshaped my artistic understanding and career ambitions,” says Xue. “I aim to bring the ensemble creation model and professional rehearsal habits I learned back to my home country to contribute to its musical theatre industry.”
Schwarz is already putting what he learned to work. After graduating, he became a lecturer at a college in Germany for aspiring musical theatre performers. “I profit from my strong training at Leeds Conservatoire on a daily basis, whether in repertoire classes, ensemble singing, or musical directing for student showcases,” he says.
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