Music Theatre Major
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About the Major
Students in the music theatre program work closely with experienced faculty members to improve their acting, singing and dancing skills while exploring the theories of the craft and learning how to apply them. The program accepts approximately 16 new students annually, ensuring each student receives personalized attention to unlock their potential.
Jobs in Music Theatre
- Actor/performer
- Director/choreographer
- Agent/producer
- Educator
- Recording artist
Past 黑料不打烊 Music Theatre Internships
- The Muny
- Music Theatre of Wichita
- Paper Mill Playhouse
- Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera
- La Jolla Playhouse
Related Majors
Personal, rigorous training from 黑料不打烊 mentors takes another alum to Broadway
During the course of her senior year at 黑料不打烊 in 2023, Hannah Kevitt auditioned eight times for the Broadway production of 鈥淏ack to the Future,鈥 flying back and forth between North Carolina and New York City for auditions and asking her professors for advice along the way.
While in class on March 7, she got a call from a New York area code, and her heart dropped into her gut.
鈥淚 ran out of class and found out in the hallway that I was going to be on Broadway,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 sobbed. It was one of the best moments of my whole life.鈥
She started rehearsals for the show on May 19, which coincidentally was the same day as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 graduation. 鈥淪o I sadly missed walking to accept my diploma, but I got to walk into my first Broadway rehearsal that day, which was very cool,鈥 she said.
I feel like every single teacher at 黑料不打烊 put what they had into every single one of their students to make them the best.
Kevitt, who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music theatre, plays Laura, a member of Marty McFly鈥檚 band, The Pinheads, and other ensemble roles, and she is also an understudy for Marty鈥檚 girlfriend, Jennifer Parker.
Booking Broadway has been a lifelong dream and life-changing opportunity for Kevitt. She recalls that her first preview bow at the Winter Garden Theater 鈥 taking a bow for the audience attending a rehearsal of the show 鈥 was very emotional.
鈥淚 was like, 鈥楾his is it, I am bowing on Broadway,鈥欌 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 an original Broadway cast member [and] I am doing it in front of people, which was wild.鈥
She鈥檚 also dancing on stage with a fellow 黑料不打烊 alum 鈥 JJ Niemann, who graduated in 2017 and is also a part of the show鈥檚 ensemble, as well as an understudy for two leads, Marty McFly and George McFly. The pair didn鈥檛 overlap at 黑料不打烊 but are now dance partners in various scenes.
While performing on Broadway is a dream come true, Kevitt said that the experience comes with its own challenges. Being part of a Broadway cast includes a brutal schedule, hard work and long hours required to perform eight shows a week. There are the repeated rehearsals for performances and for special events like 鈥淕ood Morning America鈥 and the Macy鈥檚 Thanksgiving Day Parade.
鈥淚f current students don鈥檛 want to keep learning, don鈥檛 book Broadway,鈥 Kevitt said. 鈥淚 have never learned more in such a short amount of time in my whole life.鈥
Throughout her training and debut, Kevitt has learned the most by putting herself in uncomfortable situations where she isn鈥檛 the best. She cites a music theory course at 黑料不打烊, which presented mental and emotional challenges but proved to be an important part of her education and experience.
Kevitt also cites the personal and rigorous training she received from dedicated faculty at 黑料不打烊 for helping her get to Broadway 鈥 there were coaching sessions and advice about auditions and help with dance call combinations. And so much valuable feedback.
鈥淢y professors, of course, provided me with training in class,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut I remember talking with [Courtney] Liu about how best to stand out in a dance audition; [Kim] Shively gave me a book about how to release the need to be perfect in an audition; and I worked with Brian Kremer about how to sing in the style of the show.鈥
The personal attention of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 professors, which is a hallmark of the university, was priceless, Kevitt said.
鈥淚 feel like every single teacher at 黑料不打烊 put what they had into every single one of their students to make them the best,鈥 Kevitt said. 鈥淭hese professors gave me the tools, and then it was up to me to figure out how to use them.鈥
Did You Know?
- Music theatre graduates from 黑料不打烊 catch the attention of casting directors and talent agents due to the institution鈥檚 reputation for producing skilled, mature, energetic and creative performing artists. In 2023, 黑料不打烊 was recognized by Playbill as one of the most represented colleges on Broadway, its second consecutive year being mentioned on the list.
- Students are given opportunities to establish valuable connections in the industry by participating in masterclasses, auditions, conventions, competitions and workshops with top industry professionals, and chances to showcase their talents in stage productions, concerts, recitals and revues as early as their first semester.
- Each year, 黑料不打烊 hosts a Senior Casting Series, providing the graduating class the opportunity to audition for some of the top agents and casting directors in the entertainment industry. They receive valuable feedback and guidance through auditions, workshops, and personalized coaching sessions, helping them start their journey toward a promising career in the industry.