Musical Theatre
Graduate with the performance experience, resilience and work ethic to meet the rigors and challenges of the musical theatre profession.
Musical Theatre graduates from Stephens College have the performance experience, resilience and work ethic to meet the rigors and challenges of the industry.
Application Process
An audition is required for the BFA in Musical Theatre.
Learn about the audition process >
Program Features
- Accelerated BFA program — 3 years/2 summers (8-semester program).
- One-of-a-kind professional summer stock theatre builds a student’s body of work in a rigorous, focused environment.
- The Summer Performing Arts Intensive challenges students to grow as professionals; sessions include immersive workshops, master classes, technical coursework and one-on-one instruction by industry pros
- Significant schedule of nationally and internationally recognized guest artists.
Career Preparation
- The Stephens curriculum begins preparing students for the realities of the business from their first semester. Coursework focuses on auditioning and career preparation.
- Candid and consistent evaluations help students identify strengths, as well as areas for improvement, in preparation for their rigorous final year and graduation.
- Musical theatre students graduate with a personal audition strategy and personalized marketing package, developed in consultation with working industry professionals and advisers.
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, Richard Stafford, Stacia Fernandez, Coco Cohn and Aaron Lazar (just to name few).
BFA Musical Theatre and Acting students will participate in the Summer Performing Arts Intensive (SPAI). This rigorous and immersive intensive introduces students to specialized techniques and methodologies. Expert instructors will guide students through courses such as The Michael Checkhov Technique, Lessac Voice and Bodywork, Labon, Viewpoints, and On-Camera courses.
Stephens produces a full schedule of musicals. During the academic year, students audition for all Playhouse Theatre Company (mainstage) productions as well as for those produced by our student-run Warehouse Theatre Company.
Students also audition for Stephens’ professional summer stock theatre company, Okoboji Summer Theatre, which stages nine mainstage productions each summer to sold-out audiences.
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.
Okoboji Summer Theatre is also home to Boji Bantam, providing opportunities to perform in four children’s theatre productions each summer.
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Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre, Jamey Grisham, was recently elected to represent the Central Region Board for Actors' Equity as a Principal Delegate for the next four years. The Central Region Board includes the states of Arkansas, Illinois…
Lisa Brescia, Associate Professor of Acting, has just returned from playing the role of Heidi Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward Theatre in London's prestigious West End. Brescia has now played the role on Broadway, on the Broadway National…
Almost, Maine won two awards at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region 5. The cast of Almost, Maine won a commendation for achievement in Ensemble Performance. AJ Hansen won a commendation for achievement in Scenic Design. The…
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