Musical Theatre
Graduate with the performance experience, resilience and work ethic to meet the rigors and challenges of the musical theatre profession.
The Stephens College B.F.A. in Musical Theatre emphasizes individualized student process and technique, and prepares graduates for success in the industry.
Program Features
- Accelerated B.F.A. program — three years/two summers (eight-semester program).
- Summer intensives that challenge students to grow as professionals; these include immersive workshops, master classes, technical coursework and one-on-one instruction.
- One-of-a-kind professional summer stock theatre internship builds a student’s body of work in a rigorous, focused environment.
- A six-week Summer Performing Arts Intensive focuses on the process of the work with classes taught by industry professionals.
- 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.
Meet the Program Director
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. My voice coach especially helps me as a performer by providing me with repertoire and teaching me different techniques on sound, breathing and personality (because, yes, acting is a part of singing). I wouldn't be the performer I am today without her guidance.
Application Process
An audition is required for the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre.
Musical Theatre at Stephens
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.
Students in the undergraduate residential women’s college perform with and work alongside established guest artists as well as male performers who join Stephens through our fellowship program.
Honing the craft includes technical coursework and attention to such essential areas as acting the song, voice training, vocal health and fitness for the stage.
Faculty are accomplished professionals with real industry experience, knowledge and connections to the industry. Not only do students have the opportunity to perform on stage with professionally trained actors they also learn about the business from those who have excelled in it.
“There are so many opportunities here to perform in various atmospheres. The more I get to practice and do what I love in front of people, the more I can learn from my experiences. I can use the audience to fuel my performance.” - Natalie Botkins ’19
Play
One performance tradition at Stephens is the a cappella jazz group, The Velvetones. Their local and regional live performance schedule has included performances at Jazz Standard in N.Y.C. and the Bluebird Café in Nashville.
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Published:Summer Performing Arts Intensive brings in industry professionals to teach process of the work
Students dabble in different performing arts techniques and styles taught by Broadway, TV and film professionals.
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Graduating seniors in the Stephens College Musical Theatre program performed the Stephens Hymn, a long-cherished College tradition, at the end of the Stephens Senior Toast.
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Published:Faculty Spotlight: Jennifer Hemphill
Broadway actress Jennifer Hemphill teaches all levels of Acting and Musical Theatre, and directs and acts in various productions. She is an assistant professor, Musical Theatre program chair, and Distinguished Faculty Honoree.
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Performing Arts
Administrative Assistant