🎭 UMA Musical Theatre & Stage Arts Proficiency Certification – Official Examination Guide
United Musicians Association Musical Theatre & Stage Arts Certification
1. Introduction
The UMA Musical Theatre & Stage Arts Certification is tailored for performers pursuing excellence in musical theatre, cabaret, opera-theatre crossover, and staged vocal performance. This program evaluates a candidate’s combined skills in singing, acting, movement, and storytelling.
Examinations are submitted via video and assessed by experienced UMA adjudicators with backgrounds in Broadway, West End, opera, and performing arts education.
Certification is offered from Grade 1 to Grade 9, with a Performance Diploma for advanced candidates demonstrating stage-ready professionalism.
2. Eligible Performance Types
Musical theatre solos, duets, or scenes
Opera scenes with theatrical staging
Cabaret-style performances
Dance-integrated musical numbers (song & movement)
Theatrical monologue with musical interlude
Original works or staged covers (with approval)
3. General Requirements
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of Performances | Grades 1–5: 1 piece Grades 6–9: 2 contrasting scenes or songs Performance Diploma: 3–4 contrasting numbers (including solo, duet or ensemble) |
| Styles Accepted | Musical theatre (Golden Age to contemporary), dramatic opera arias with staging, jazz/musical crossover, pop theatre, revue/cabaret |
| Video Submission | Full-body framing required; one-take per piece with live or recorded accompaniment |
| Self-Introduction | Begin each video with a short English intro: name, age, location, level, training background, and performance titles |
| Acting Requirement | From Grade 4 and up, dramatic intent and character embodiment are evaluated alongside musicality |
4. Repertoire Requirements by Grade
🎼 Grades 1–5
Focus: Clear vocal projection, character suggestion, basic movement
Examples: “Do-Re-Mi” (Sound of Music), “Part of Your World” (Little Mermaid), “Consider Yourself” (Oliver!)
Skills Evaluated: Diction, tone, phrasing, emotional clarity
🎼 Grades 6–9
Focus: Scene integration, vocal technique, character development, acting through song
Examples: “Waving Through a Window” (Dear Evan Hansen), “I Dreamed a Dream” (Les Misérables), “Defying Gravity” (Wicked), “If I Loved You” (Carousel)
Requirements: At least one upbeat and one ballad; must show stylistic and emotional range
🏅 Performance Diploma
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of Numbers | 3–4 songs/scenes with varied styles, tempos, and emotional arcs |
| Content | Must include one solo and one duet or ensemble scene; at least one pre-1980 piece |
| Presentation | Full performance with acting, singing, and optional movement/choreography |
| Award | UMA Musical Theatre Performance Diploma certificate upon passing review |
Suggested Repertoire:
Golden Age: West Side Story, Carousel, The King and I
Contemporary: Hamilton, Waitress, Six, Next to Normal
Crossover: Candide (Bernstein), The Light in the Piazza
Cabaret/Revue: Songs for a New World, Side by Side by Sondheim
5. Assessment Criteria
| Dimension | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vocal Technique & Accuracy | 25 pts | Intonation, breath control, resonance, diction |
| Character & Acting | 25 pts | Emotional truth, dramatic interpretation, physicality |
| Stylistic Expression | 25 pts | Genre-appropriate delivery, dynamic range, phrasing |
| Staging & Presence | 15 pts | Movement, eye contact, camera/stage engagement |
| Overall Cohesion | 10 pts | Flow, polish, integration of all performance elements |
Pass Threshold: ≥ 75
Distinction: ≥ 90 (awarded “With Distinction” badge)
6. Video Submission Guidelines
Orientation: Landscape
Framing: Full-body view required; facial expression must be visible
Accompaniment: Live pianist, karaoke track, or theatrical backing accepted
Costume & Set: Minimal stagewear encouraged; set pieces optional
File Format: MP4, MOV, AVI; 1GB per file max
File Naming: “PerformerName_Level” (e.g., LilyChen_Grade9)
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