To make it in musical theatre, you have to be able to sing, act, and dance. Many aspiring performers have two of these three skills down pat. Through our Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre program, you can become a true triple threat.
Why AU?
- Faith-based - No other Christ-centered college or university offers better instruction in musical theatre than Anderson University. We’re family-oriented and nurturing, and we’ll pray for you because we see you as more than a performer. You’re one of us: a Christian on a calling, and you need to be connected—and stay connected—to like-minded artists who will mentor you, even after you graduate.
- Innovative Teaching - We teach music theory—which many musical theatre programs don’t—as well as four levels of dance styles, which will prepare you for any dance requirement you’ll encounter on the professional stage. Our professors also teach cutting-edge styles, such as belting— a vocal technique vital for contemporary musical theatre—in a healthy, sustainable way. And while you’ll master your craft, you’ll know your history too: from being able to identify the history and components of American musical theatre to articulating the genre’s major influences.
- Compelling Theatre - Our selection of productions is cutting edge, too: From Next to Normal, which tackles a family’s handling of mental health challenges and features a rock music score, to Xanadu, a Greek comedy set in a skate park. In terms of theatrical production and design, we strive to incorporate the latest technical elements that are becoming commonplace in professional theatre.
Career Outlook
You’ll graduate from our BFA in Musical Theatre as a triple threat, being a proficient actor, singer and dancer. You’ll also understand how to brand yourself and be prepared for the job market with a website, headshot, effective social media channels, and knowledge of how to get an agent. Before you graduate, you’ll get a chance to audition for and receive feedback from casting directors and agents during a week-long capstone symposium in New York City. You’ll be seen by influential professionals in the industry, and your auditions could lead to roles or representation. Your training here will prepare you for the following positions and graduate programs:
- Performer
- Director
- Choreographer
- Musical director
- High school theatre teacher who can teach acting, voice, choreography, and theatrical design
- Master of Fine Arts programs in theatre, musical theatre, directing or choreography