When you picture yourself under the spotlight, singing, acting, dancing, breathing life into a story, where do you begin? At AIM, the answer is clear: this is where it starts. The Bachelor of Music Theatre isn’t just about learning songs and choreography.. it’s about becoming a professional artist.
As Melbourne’s Music Theatre Course Convenor Stephen Gray puts it, “You don’t learn singing by reading a book. You don’t learn dancing by reading a book. Music theatre is one of the performing arts, and one must do.”
Learn from the Best in the Business
Stephen’s career spans almost four decades in professional musical theatre, with credits including:
- Cats
- Les Misérables
- 42nd Street
- and as the original Musical Director for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
At AIM, that real-world experience translates into practical, no-fluff training that prepares students for the realities of the stage. “Our staff are all people who, like me, have runs on the board both in Australia and overseas,” Stephen says. “They’ve done professional productions at the highest level.”
A Tight-Knit, Professional Environment
AIM’s Melbourne campus strikes the perfect balance, big enough to stage major productions, but small enough to feel like a creative home. “It’s neither too large that it feels impersonal, nor too small that we can’t do things at scale,” Stephen explains. “We have a purpose-built auditorium, large rehearsal spaces, and the chance to stage musicals that give students real, meaningful performance experience.” That sense of connection extends beyond the classroom.
Every student, from first year to final year, knows their peers, their lecturers, and the wider AIM community. “We really can build a sense of cohort,” Stephen says. “Everyone knows each other. Everyone feels part of something bigger.”
Learn It All: Acting, Singing, Dancing, and Bringing It Together
What makes AIM’s program stand out is its structure. Students don’t just study each discipline in isolation, they learn how to integrate them. “You can focus on singing separately, your acting technique separately, your dancing technique separately,” Stephen says. “But at AIM, you have structured opportunities to knit those skills together in masterclasses, musicals, and performance assessments. That’s not something every institution can provide, and it’s certainly not something you can do on your own.”
“They’re all industry professionals who have many, many shows under their belt. You really build up a rapport with them, you really feel comfortable to grow as a performer, to make mistakes in front of them. Because you know they always have your best interest at heart” Helen says
Real-World Productions, Real-World Preparation
Each year, AIM’s Music Theatre students stage a full-scale musical, transforming the campus auditorium into a professional theatre.
Past productions have included:
- Pippin
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- Urinetown
- Cannibal
- Ladies in Black
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Students experience every part of the process… from auditions to curtain call, gaining the confidence and resilience they’ll need to succeed in the industry.
Stephen explains, “We introduce full sets, costumes, props, even a live band. It gives them a performance experience that feels tangible and real-world.”
The AIM Difference
At AIM, you’re not just studying; you’re part of a creative village. “We try hard to encourage students to remember that they’re always part of something bigger than themselves,” says Stephen. “Music theatre takes many disciplines and people working together. That’s the reality of the industry, and that’s how we train.”
Graduates are already landing professional roles, including AIM alumni performing in Hadestown and Rent. “That’s the dream,” Stephen says. “To see a student step out of their studies and straight into a show.”
A Future That’s Bright and Broadway-Bound
Stephen’s outlook for the art form is as passionate as ever. “People have been ringing the death knell of music theatre for decades, but I don’t subscribe to it,” he says. “There’s new work being written all the time, from Hadestown to Beetlejuice. There’s always another generation of young people captivated by it, and they come to AIM to make it real.” And for those who dream of stepping into the spotlight, he’s certain of one thing:
“I’m so grateful to play a small part in passing on my love and experience of this industry to the next generation. The future of music theatre is bright, and it’s alive here at AIM.”
