Five top musical theatre programs that deserve your attention
It is that time of year again. High School seniors waiting for their acceptance letters from their desired Musical Theatre colleges. Making plans about where to go. Changing those plans. Consulting lists, blogs, Facebook groups, and neighbors. Then changing plans again.
We believe that there is no such thing as “the best school.” There is only “the best school for you.” These days students have so many options, and so many things to consider, it can be overwhelming. In an effort to share more quality options, here are five top musical theatre programs that we have rarely, if ever, seen on other ranking lists. Each is incredible in its own way.
Ohio Northern University
While it is not a new program, Ohio Northern’s Musical Theatre identity got a breath of fresh life this year when it added David Coolidge as its program coordinator. Coolidge, who performed in original cast of the Broadway National tour of PARADE, brings a wide range of expertise including a background of new work development at TheatreWorks USA.
While ONU is located in Ada, Ohio, it has a direct pipeline to the professional industry by boasting a robust 40-50 professional guest artists each year. It also features two incredible performance venues, including a 550-seat proscenium theatre and a 132-seat studio theatre. With this infrastructure, and exciting new leadership, ONU is not going to stay a “program you may not know” for very long.
https://www.onu.edu/academics/musical-theatre
Illinois Wesleyan University
If you know, you know, because Illinois Wesleyan is one of the oldest, most-established Musical Theatre BFA’s in the country. Despite that fact, you rarely see this incredible program listed amongst its contemporaries on the “top” lists.
Illinois Wesleyan produces two musicals every year, in addition to its innovative and exciting classroom projects. With one of the lushest Musical Theatre libraries around (which includes more scripts, scores, and DVDs than one can imagine), Illinois Wesleyan is ripe with resources and opportunities for its hungry students. Illinois Wesleyan has a long history of success and a strong foundation for students to thrive.
https://www.iwu.edu/theatre/courses/bfa-music-theatre.html
Chico State University
While its cutting-edge BFA is only four years old, Chico State has had a degree in Musical Theatre for 25 years. Chico State says it aspires to be the “most inclusive” Musical Theatre program in the nation, with a Social Justice in Theatre a required course for every student.
Chico State is a program that aspires to teach students to be “quadruple threats” because students don’t just learn to act while singing, dancing, and speaking but also while fighting for progress and change in the greater theatre community. With a 1200-seat, 450-seat, and 150-seat Theatre to perform in, there is a diverse set of experiences waiting for students at this institution.
https://www.csuchico.edu/muta/programs/bfa-musical-theatre.shtml
Slippery Rock University
The New Kid on the block, Slippery Rock’s Musical Theatre program is only a few years old but is in good hands with Broadway vet Aaron Galligan-Stierle, who is an Assistant Professor at the University.
Each year, Slippery Rock produces five mainstage productions in a brand new state-of-the-art performing arts center. Additionally, Slippery Rock has toured six different productions at the Edinburgh Fringe, and are active participants in KCACTF. Slippery Rock’s unique curriculum in a BFA in Acting with a Musical Theatre concentration
https://www.sru.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/theatre-bfa-acting-(musical-theatre)
Kennesaw State University
Located just outside of metro Atlanta, Kennesaw State is often forgotten about in the Musical Theatre landscape due to the fact that the program has elected to stay a BA in Musical Theatre. That said, the BA designation has allowed the faculty to be flexible with students to create a unique and personalized experience specific to their needs.
Musical Theatre at Kennesaw State provides students with the same fundamental training in dance, acting, and music theory, but then encourages students to explore other areas of interest like directing and musical theatre writing.
This very unique experience is located in one of the largest and most vibrant theatre areas in the country, and graduates often segue directly into working professionals in Atlanta. All of this with an incredible Musical Theatre faculty that quite literally, knows how to do it all.