With approximately 80 undergraduates, the Musical Theatre program is a thriving fusion of music, theatre, and dance within a conservatory atmosphere. The program emphasizes versatility in performance and the individuality in each student’s unique talents to create high-caliber artists that graduate and go on to work in regional, national, and Broadway music theatre.

Students in the program spend ample amounts of time on stage. With two musical theatre productions per year, revue performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, an on-campus workshop performance of a full musical theatre work, and numerous showcases of our talent each semester, there is an opportunity for everyone during their time at CUA. Juniors and seniors are also encouraged to audition for professional regional theatre. Current students have performed at all of Washington’s major theatres, including Arena Stage, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Olney Theatre, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, and Toby’s Dinner Theatre. Seniors perform an annual senior showcase in D.C. and New York for casting agents.

Guest artists come from all over the industry to give master classes to our students. Recent master artists include Brian Stokes Mitchell, Alice Ripley, Marni Nixon, Parker Esse, Nicole Vallands from Casting by ARC, Dave Clemmons, and Adam Ben-David.

Dance is receiving special emphasis in our program. Eight semesters of dance are required, but students are encouraged to enroll in additional classes on and off campus. Preparing our students for the professional world is our utmost goal. Teaching beginners to move and pushing them to proficiency, or challenging already advanced dancers to true artistic heights, the dance sequence is designed for students of every level. Making dance a priority within our already extensive program ensures more triple threats than ever are leaving with diplomas and are working in their field.

With all of the performance and special intensive programs, the Musical Theatre Academic Area is molding our students into the best musicians and artists that they can each become, with the knowledge that there is a place for all types of voices, faces, and personalities on stage. We hope that you and your talents can find a place with us.

Where Our Students Are Working