More Than Musical Theatre

Randolph College for the Performing Arts is a Toronto theatre school specializing in training those who aspire to successful careers in the performing arts.

More than just a musical theatre school, Randolph College transforms performers into multi-talented professional artists through a rigorous training program that integrates acting for the stage and screen, vocal, and dance (jazz, ballet, tap), as well as theory and history.

College students:

• Hone audition and performance skills in the core disciplines of the performing arts

• Receive individual attention from professional faculty teaching an industry-driven curriculum in a focused conservatory environment

• Build a network with faculty, visiting artists, staff, alumni and key influencers in the arts and entertainment industry

• Live and learn in the heart of Canada’s cultural capital

• Showcase their skills for industry decision-makers in professionally staged play production, musical production, and high-profile industry events in professional venues

• Join alumni working on and behind stages and screens on Broadway, Toronto, London – West End, Los Angeles, and elsewhere

• Are eligible to apply to pursue a BMus (Hons.) through a credit transfer agreement with Wilfrid Laurier University , or Yorkville University, and master’s degree opportunities with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or Guildford School of Acting. (Applicants must earn admission to the programs through the normal audition procedures and be subject to the same terms and conditions as any other student)

Students graduate from Randolph College not only with well-rounded skills as a performer but also with a better-defined sense of self. While each student embarks on a journey of self-revelation, they also discover commonalities and respect for each other by celebrating their differences. This experience, which requires vulnerability, trust, and risk-taking, creates an indefinable bond between students and builds an ensemble within which they can explore and enjoy positive working relationships. While the ensemble coalesces, the individual is strengthened as a performer, as they discover their uniqueness of character. 

Faculty support this ensemble spirit; as professionals in the industry, they are conscious of how much courage it takes to present personal work to be evaluated, and pass on knowledge and techniques based on personal experience. All these elements comprise a conservatory environment where everybody engages in coursework that enhances a successful career and life in the arts.

RCPA is registered as a Career College under the Ontario Career Colleges Act of 2005.

Curriculum

The Randolph College curriculum has a forward-thinking two-fold design: provide a solid foundation in the performer’s craft, but also emphasize the artists’ responsibility to express their unique creativity genuinely and authentically. Far from being mere technicians, RCPA students are encouraged to thrive in a culture of collaboration and creation.

In Numbers

Coursework is undertaken in three Academic Years and completed over 24 months. Each Academic Year is two terms of study, each 14 weeks long. Students spend an average of 27 hours per week in classes and related activities. A total of 40 credits is required to earn the Career College Diploma in Performing Arts.

Acting

Acting Foundations utilizes techniques and practices from a range of contemporary theatrical pedagogies, exercises, practices and projects focused on training the actor’s presence, reactivity, impulse, imagination, mind-body connection and complicity as an ensemble. Scene Study covers techniques of character and text work, emotional grounding and connection, and arc of play.

Improvisation courses cover the form and skills of Gaulier Clown as well as Scenic Improv. In Voice and Text, students will explore techniques that amalgamate vocal, physical and emotional expression with text by discovering the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, Jacques Lecoq, Rudolf Laban, Jerzy Grotowski, and more.

In Movement, students deepen their kinesthetic sense and overall expression through somatic, conditioning and improvisational practices emphasizing the interrelatedness of the mind, body, and identity. The RCPA Shakespeare course leads students through exercises exploring text analysis and performance skills using sonnets, monologues, and scene study.

Film classes cover acting for the camera, including the more technical aspects of the filmmaking process. Acting courses also include professional development workshops in seeking representation and culminate in a contemporary play production during the final year.

Vocal

Students are encouraged to work on repertoire that suits their natural vocal talent and style through weekly individual singing lessons, and also learn the importance of group singing in a college-wide chorale. Integrating acting into a vocal presentation is introduced and expanded in the Vocal Division’s signature course Music Theatre Presentation. Students also undertake a thorough exploration of the origins and genesis of musical theatre in Musical Theatre History, while the fundamentals of music training and theory are covered in Musicianship.

Musical Theatre Lab immerses students in the process of creating a new piece of musical theatre by writing dialogue and song lyrics in collaboration with their fellow students. The training culminates in a musical production during the final year with a professional director, music director, and choreographer.

Dance

Students receive training in ballet, jazz, and tap in the Dance Division. Students are assessed and placed in one of six levels of each dance discipline, ranging from pre-beginner to intermediate to advanced.

Program Highlight: Musical Theatre Lab

Develop original musical theatre pieces guided by a professional director and composer.