MUSICAL THEATRE SUMMER INTENSIVE COURSE
BERLIN
TRAIN • PERFORM • GROW
A full-day, English-speaking summer program for teenagers, led by professional performers and experienced educators.
Ages 12–18 | All Levels Welcome
Young Artist Track applications 18–23 | Please contact us directly
NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS • ENGLISH IMMERSION • STAGE LAB BERLIN • MUSICAL THEATRE SUMMER INTENSIVE • AUGUST 2026 •
The Program
Join us for a dynamic and inspiring week of musical theatre training at Stage Lab Berlin.
This intensive program is designed for teenagers who want to develop their skills in singing, acting, and movement in a focused, supportive, and professional environment.
Whether new to musical theatre or already experienced, students will grow artistically, build confidence, and perform in a professional setting.
Why Stage Lab Berlin
• Full-day intensive (35+ hours of training per week)
• Individual vocal coaching and ensemble work
• Professional faculty with international experience
• Native English-speaking environment
• Final showcase performance for family and friends
How the Week Works
Each participant will bring one or two songs to work on during the week, developing technique, interpretation, and performance skills through guided coaching.
Alongside individual work, students rehearse ensemble pieces, learning collaboration, stage movement, and stage presence.
Focus areas include:
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Vocal technique and song interpretation
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Acting and character development
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Movement and stage presence
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Ensemble collaboration
The week culminates in a FINAL SHOWCASE performance on Friday 17:00, where students present their work for family and friends.
Age Groups
Participants are grouped to ensure focused and supportive learning:
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Ages 12 - 14
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Ages 15 - 17
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Ages 18 - 23
2026 Dates
Flexible booking – join one or multiple weeks:
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August 3 - 7
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August 10 - 14
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August 17 - 21
Intensive Schedule
10:00 — 16:00
Sessions run Monday through Friday. Every intensive week culminates in a final professional showcase Friday at 17:00 for family and friends.
English Speaking Environment
All sessions are conducted in English by native speakers, creating an immersive environment where students can develop performance skills while building confidence in English.
The Lab Faculty
Diipti Firmstone
Artistic Director
Diipti Firmstone is an Australian soprano and Berlin-based artistic director with an international career spanning opera, concert, and music theatre. She has appeared in leading roles and productions across Europe and Australia, including performances at Teatro Verdi in Busseto and the English Theatre Berlin.
In parallel to her performing work, she brings over 20 years of experience in music education, working with children and young performers across Australia and Germany. She currently teaches singing at the Berlin British School and has held vocal coaching positions at leading institutions including AB Paterson College (Gold Coast), St Rita's College (Brisbane) and St Catherine’s School (Melbourne).
Over the past six years in Berlin, she has worked across a variety of educational settings, including Gymnasiums and Grundschulen, and is able to teach fluently in both English and German.
Her work is characterised by a strong technical foundation, artistic integrity, and a commitment to developing confident, expressive young performers in a structured and supportive environment.
With Stage Lab Berlin, Diipti offers a premium, international-level training experience, combining professional artistic standards with a nurturing and inspiring approach to education.
www.diipti.com
Eric Little
Musical Director
Eric Little is a musician, pianist, conductor and musical theatre artist whose work spans music direction, performance, accompaniment and vocal coaching.
Originally from the United States and now based in Berlin, Eric brings extensive experience in musical theatre and collaborative performance. His credits include work as Music Director, Conductor and Pianist for productions including Rent, The Music Man, Fun Home, The Last Five Years and Sweeney Todd.
Passionate about helping performers connect music, storytelling and ensemble work, Eric is known for his collaborative approach and his ability to support artists in developing confidence, musicality and authentic performance.
At Stage Lab Berlin, Eric serves as Musical Director, working with participants on ensemble singing, repertoire, musicianship and performance preparation.
Rachel Nash
Choreographer
Rachel Nash is an international dancer, choreographer, movement educator and lyric soprano whose work spans ballet, opera, musical theatre and contemporary performance.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Rachel trained at prestigious institutions including the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet School and Ballet Academy East. She performed professionally with Oregon Ballet Theatre, Richmond Ballet and Charlottesville Ballet, dancing principal and featured roles in works by George Balanchine, Mikhail Fokine and other leading choreographers. In 2022, she was selected as one of only 22 dancers to perform in the 90th Anniversary Gala at Jacob’s Pillow, one of the most celebrated dance festivals in the world.
As a choreographer, Rachel has created original works for ballet companies, universities and training institutions across the United States and Europe. In 2024, she was appointed Resident Choreographer for the Berlin Opera Academy’s Summer OpernFest, where she choreographed her first full-length opera, and in 2025 she served as Assistant Director for Opera Zuid’s production of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi in the Netherlands.
Passionate about nurturing the next generation of performers, Rachel brings a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to teaching, drawing upon her extensive experience in dance, acting, music and movement. She holds a BFA in Dance from Point Park University and is currently completing her Gyrokinesis teacher certification while pursuing a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership.
At Stage Lab Berlin, Rachel leads movement and choreography, helping performers develop confidence, physical storytelling, stage presence and authentic artistic expression.