About the Undergraduate Musical Theatre Major
Emerson’s undergraduate Musical Theatre BFA program is one of the most celebrated pre-professional performance programs in the nation, offering a unique combination of conservatory type training and a robust liberal arts education. Housed in the Department of Performing Arts in the School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies, the program is highly selective and highly individualized. Emerson’s Musical Theatre faculty are experts in their craft and professionally active in a variety of fields including Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theatre, tours, TV, voice-over and commercial work, and devising. The program also boasts a network of working alumni looking to support the next generation of artists.
The world-class faculty provide every student with the opportunity to hone their craft, contextualize the history of the musical theatre art form, explore what makes them unique artists and global citizens, and connect with working professionals from various sectors of the industry. Graduates of this program work regularly on and off Broadway, regionally, internationally, on tour, and in major entertainment venues.
Students receive practical training in movement and dance, voice and musicianship, and acting with spoken text and through song. Analysis of theatre through the lens of history, literature, culture, and the Liberal Arts is included in the curriculum, with the goal of developing well-rounded theatre professionals. The program offers a logical core sequence that promotes foundational learning in the first two years, leading to more focused professional training in the upper years. The curriculum includes not only the skills needed to create and perform in principal roles, but also ensemble work and swing pedagogy. Business acumen is sprinkled throughout the curriculum, culminating in a final semester dedicated to building real-world skills and connections. Musical Theatre faculty strive to create a classroom environment that is focused on each student’s well-being and growth, while also establishing a high level of rigor and respect for the work.
At the end of the day, the goal is for students to fall in love with the creative process itself; to become curious learners with a collaborative spirit, to become creatives who understand their unique voice as theatre artists and engage in honest and truthful communication, and to become self-aware and self-directed professionals who actively participate in the choices that will shape their career.
Vocal Wellness Program
This initiative is a collaboration between the Musical Theatre program, the Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program, and the renowned Robbins Speech, Language and Hearing Center located on Emerson’s campus. Each year, incoming Musical Theatre students receive a Vocal Wellness presentation that dispels myths around vocal health and sets students on the right track for optimal vocal performance.
Additionally, Musical Theatre students are offered the opportunity, free of charge, to receive baseline screenings of the singing and speaking voice with a focus on the unique needs of singers and professional voice users. Screenings can be accessed throughout a student’s time at Emerson if they or their voice teacher notice a change in vocal quality or function. Imaging of the voice using laryngovideostroboscopy is also available free of charge. If voice therapy is indicated, appropriate referrals will be made to the Robbins Center or voice clinicians in the Boston metro area.
Musical Theatre Scholarship
Emerson College's Department of Performing Arts, through a generous donor, is offering a 4-year, full-tuition, fees, and room and board scholarship to an exceptional Musical Theatre candidate. This scholarship is given to an incoming student who is enrolled in the Musical Theatre major and who has demonstrated great potential for academic and artistic success as an Emerson student. The Musical Theatre Scholarship is automatically renewed pending full-time undergraduate status being maintained for fall and spring terms as a degree-seeking student in the Musical Theatre major. All accepted applicants to Musical Theatre will automatically be considered for this scholarship; no additional essay or application is required.
Emerson has given me the chance to work with and learn from some of the most dedicated and lovely humans. Everybody has their own unique perspective and take on their craft and is not afraid to bring themselves wholeheartedly into the room every day. I know I have built friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.
Real-World Experience as a Performing Artist
Musical Theatre majors have ample opportunity to gain real-world learning experience. Here are a few examples:
- Graduating seniors have the chance to perform in front of industry reps, casting directors, and noted Emerson alumni at two annual spring Showcases, one in Boston and one in New York City.
- Students have the opportunity to perform in our five professional-quality theater spaces. Our theaters are supported by modern rehearsal studios, practice rooms, and a design studio, light lab, costume shop, scenic shop, and makeup suite.
- Emerson Stage is the producing organization within the Department of Performing Arts. Musical Theatre students may audition for the entire season, which includes musicals, plays, theatre for young audiences, workshops, labs, and readings. Emerson Stage presents the classics as well as contemporary theatre and new works.
- Boston’s vibrant theatre industry provides many opportunities for our students to engage with working professionals. The faculty regularly invite artists from visiting national tours to meet with students through master classes and Q&As.
- Many Emerson students find summer work through a number of Unified auditions. The faculty is committed to helping students prepare and advising on the required audition and interview protocols.
- Emerson is home to a dynamic student theater scene with numerous student performance organizations, including the Musical Theatre Society, Musical Theatre Against the Grain, Emerson Comedy Workshop, Emerson Dance Company, and 172 Below.
- Students have the opportunity to hone their skills for the camera by acting in student films produced on real working sets on campus and on location through our School of Film, Television, and Media Arts.
Careers for Musical Theatre Majors
Emerson’s Musical Theatre graduates are highly proficient performers ready for the demands of the industry. However, the holistic nature of our training provides many transferable skills such as critical thinking, entrepreneurship, creativity, curiosity, collaboration, leadership, team and ensemble building, and public speaking. These skills prepare students to succeed in any number of creative fields including, but not limited to:
- Performer (stage, screen, voice)
- Director
- Music Director
- Choreographer
- Producer
- Artistic Director
- Casting or Talent Agent
- Teaching Artist
- Content Creator
Notable Performing Arts Alumni
- Lucas Babcock, Actor, Hamilton (Touring)
- Noel Carey, Composer/Lyricist, Death Becomes Her (Broadway); actor, Murder for Two (Touring), Million Dollar Quartet (Regional)
- Lauren Nicole Chapman, Actor, Frozen (Broadway), Kinky Boots (Broadway and touring)
- Kaitlyn Frank, Actor, Funny Girl (Broadway)
- Hawa Kamara, Actor, Peter Pan (Touring), Hadestown (Touring)
- Julia Mattison, Composer/Lyricist, Death Becomes Her (Broadway); actor, Godspell (Broadway)
- Betsy Morgan, Actor, Kimberly Akimbo (Broadway), The Little Mermaid (Broadway), High Fidelity (Broadway)
- Jessica Phillips, Actor, The Who’s Tommy (Touring), Leap of Faith (Broadway), Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway and touring), Redwood (Broadway)
- Erin Ramirez, Actor, Hamilton (Broadway and touring), Six (Touring), Les Misérables (Touring)
- Sam Simahk, Actor, Carousel (Broadway), Into the Woods (Broadway), The King and I (Touring)
- Merri Sugarman, Casting director
...Emerson and the Musical Theatre program here worked WITH me to build a curriculum and the collegiate trajectory that was exactly what I wanted, continually allowing me to change my mind and try new things each year. The Emerson Musical Theatre program is perfect for a performer looking to forge their own way and take ownership of their education.
Meet Our Faculty
Ready to Pursue Your Daring Ideas?
Since an intensive residency is essential to the success of the program, BFA Musical Theatre students are not eligible to participate in external programs (the Los Angeles Program and the Kasteel Well Program in the Netherlands, etc.) during the academic year. They may, however, participate in external programs if offered in a summer semester.