Musical Theatre
Graduate with a strong technical skillset, industry preparedness, and the confidence to lead with your authentic self.
Application Process
An audition is required for the BFA in Musical Theatre.
Learn about the audition process >
Program Features
- Accelerated BFA major — three years/two summers (eight-semester program)
- Work with industry professionals
- Comprehensive summer stock theatre experience
- Summer Performing Arts Intensive with specialized course work
- Extensive performance opportunities (by audition)
Career Preparation
- Actors have numerous opportunities to audition and perform at the Macklanburg Playhouse (mainstage), the Warehouse Theatre (black box), and the Okoboji Summer Theatre.
- Industry preparation begins in the first semester.
- Industry connections are forged and cultivated throughout the Conservatory experience.
- Actors have the opportunity to work with guest directors in productions and top industry professionals in masterclasses.
Faculty + Staff
Meet the Conservatory Faculty + Staff >
Being at Stephens has not only helped me realize myself and my potential, it has connected me with many talented, wonderful people who support me. The professors at Stephens are amazing at what they do.
Musical Theatre at Stephens

Students have the opportunity to work with A-list guest artists in master classes and Q&A sessions. Recent guests include Sierra Boggess, Alex Brightman, Christy Altomare, Christiane Noll, John Bucchino, Alan H. Green, Stacia Fernandez, Coco Cohn and Aaron Lazar (just to name few).

BFA Musical Theatre and Acting students participate in the Summer Performing Arts Intensive (SPAI). This immersive intensive taught by specialized practitioners, introduces students to techniques such as, but not limited to the Michael Chekhov Technique, the Meisner Technique, Laban Movement, Viewpoints, dialect work and on-camera courses.

Conservatory students have numerous opportunities to audition and perform at the Macklanburg Playhouse (mainstage), the Warehouse Theatre (black box), and the Okoboji Summer Theatre.

All BFA majors participate in at least one summer at the Okoboji Summer Theatre. Over the course of the summer, students have the opportunity to build their resumes, portfolios, and experience all aspect of a professional working theatre.

All students spend at least one summer as members of Stephens’ Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST) company, located in the lakeside resort community of Spirit Lake, Iowa. OST offers a highly immersive, comprehensive internship experience and is the only program of its kind.