Overview
Students in the B.A. in Theatre, Musical Theatre Concentration practice incremental techniques and skills necessary for the art form of musical theatre – including singing, dancing, and acting – and musical theatre history, theory, and repertoire. Students train to analyze and perform contemporary and classical scripts as actors, to effectively deliver highly physical staging or dance, and to practice healthy habits that support a lifetime of vocal production for the stage, screen, and/or recording. As informed collaborators, students contribute to the creation, rehearsal, development, and future of musical theatre performance.
In addition to four CSU Theatre Program Learning Objectives, the Musical Theatre Concentration includes the following unique learning objectives:
- MUSICAL THEATRE IN PERFORMANCE: Develop a unique artistic vision by practicing incremental techniques and skills necessary to perform in the discipline of musical theatre, including singing, dancing, and acting.
- MUSICAL THEATRE ARTISTRY: Develop an understanding of the musical theatre performer as a collaborative artist, and creative visionary, and explore the discipline of musical theatre as an artform, its history, repertory, conventions, and etiquette.
CSU Theatre produces one full-scale musical each season.
Musical Theatre Audition
In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, a successful audition with CSU Theatre faculty is required for entrance into the B.A. in Theatre, Musical Theatre Concentration. Your program audition is also your scholarship audition.
Students who applied to CSU under the Performance Concentration for Fall 2022 will have the opportunity to audition for the Musical Theatre Concentration. Details coming soon.
Study With
A Message from Professor Racey
From The Sound of Music to Hamilton, musical theatre is a leading genre in performing arts and entertainment. An innately American art form, it was developed out the Music Halls of England, the ceremonies and rituals of immigrant cultures, the structure of the American Songbook, and the ordered chaos of jazz.
Music theatre blends the creative disciplines of singing, acting, and dance, harnessing the power of all three storytelling mediums to move the story forward; mastering this art form takes skill, courage, and intense dedication. To that end, students at CSU receive supportive, one-to-one studio and classroom training that results in authentic and exciting productions. Numerous performance opportunities include MainStage musicals, plays, and operas, as well as dance concerts.
With a combined 30 years of Broadway experience, as well as countless appearances on television and in film, CSU's seasoned faculty convey first-hand insight about life as a professional artist.
Nothing unifies like a musical because it brings the theatre, dance, and music areas together and sets the students up for seeing how it's done in the real world. It's like where I came from on Broadway, and I'm really excited to see it here. Everyone is doing an amazing job and showing why CSU is such a great school with its interconnected, interdisciplinary, and interdepartmental coordination.
—Noah Racey, Musical Theatre Professor