The Magic of Menken
Alan Menken’s music has defined modern musical storytelling – from Little Shop of Horrors through the Disney golden era of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Hunchback and Hercules, to the later triumphs of Newsies, Sister Act, Enchanted and Tangled. His songs brim with heart, humour and humanity across a wide spectrum of styles.
This triple-threat course is led by NODA Theatre Summer School returning tutors; Theatre Director, Lucie Raine and Musical Director, Jack Bennett, and will celebrate Menken’s gift for storytelling. You’ll integrate acting, singing and movement to bring his worlds vividly to life, building versatility across musical theatre styles through exercises, character-driven scenes, and ensemble work. Inspired by his career across stage and screen, you’ll also explore the detailed, precise work of recording studio performance, refining vocal and dramatic choices in ways that translate to recorded or filmed contexts.
This week is dedicated to process: deepening technique, fine-tuning performance decisions, and discovering how detail, truth and style combine to elevate musical theatre storytelling.
Throughout the week, participants will:
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Build stylistic versatility using Menken’s work: Broadway belt, pop lyricism, gospel, vaudeville-flavoured comedy, and learn how style serves character
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Develop your storytelling using rehearsal techniques to unlock clear, heartfelt choices through acting, song and movement
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Explore how Menken’s material shifts between screen and stage, and what that means for performance choices
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Experiment with the precision and focus of studio performance – honing vocal and dramatic detail in character-driven work
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Work in solo and ensemble contexts, with tailored feedback from two West End creatives
Join us for a joyful, process-led week celebrating one of musical theatre’s most inspiring storytellers, designed to help experienced performers take their craft to the next level.
Jack Bennett is a musical director, pianist and arranger with a diverse career across theatre, recording sessions, concerts, television and educational projects worldwide. His MD and conducting work spans both live and studio contexts - from revivals and new musicals to pantomimes and cabarets - with highlights including the London Palladium, the Edinburgh Fringe and Abbey Road Studios. 2026 marks Jack’s fifth year tutoring at the NODA Theatre Summer School. For the most up-to-date information about his work, visit jackwbmusic.com.
Lucie is an award-winning writer, choreographer, director, and educator based in West Yorkshire.
For over twenty years, she owned and ran her family’s Performing Arts Academy while building a successful freelance career as a choreographer. During this time, she won the prestigious BSICA Young Choreographer Award and became a Fellow of the International Dance Teachers’ Association, achieving distinction in all core subjects, including an exceptional 97% in Theatre Craft.
In 2022, Lucie made the decision to pursue professional theatre full-time, completing an MA in Musical Theatre (Creative) at Leeds Conservatoire. She graduated with distinction and received the Conservatoire Award for the highest-marked degree in the School of Drama.
Her graduate production, The Flood, written in collaboration with composer Joe Revel and directed by Lucie, attracted the attention of producers from Leeds Playhouse. Following a successful Arts Council England funding bid, the production toured the UK in spring 2025.
Alongside this, Lucie was commissioned by Mikron Theatre Company to write the book and lyrics for Hush Hush! A Bletchley Story as part of their New Writers Scheme for the 2025 UK tour. Following its success, she was re-commissioned to write productions for the company’s 2026 season (The Wensleydale Whey) and 2028 season (title to be announced). Lucie is also a member of the prestigious Book, Music & Lyrics (BML) Writers’ Scheme in London, which supports and develops the next generation of musical theatre writers.
Since graduating, her choreography and movement direction credits have included Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief (Chroma Q/Leeds Conservatoire), The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Tutti Frutti Productions – UK and US Tour), That Bloody Woman (Chroma Q/Leeds Conservatoire), Folklore (Leeds Theatre Festival), The Flood (R&D and UK Tour, Leeds Playhouse), Theo In Between (British Youth Music Theatre, 2025 Season), and Aladdin (Rock ’n’ Roll Panto Company).
Alongside her creative practice, Lucie continues to teach movement and dance across the region, including on BA programmes at Leeds Conservatoire and with Ballet Britain. She is also a TDCI-registered festival adjudicator.