Home / Programs / Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre

Undergraduate Major

Conservatory for the Performing Arts

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 Auditions

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.

What I love most about the Conservatory is that the faculty never once put me in a box. They pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a safe space to try new things and to grow! The amazing faculty taught me that failure is part of the process and not to be afraid of it. My time at the Conservatory gave me the skills to succeed in the professional world and the confidence to trust the process and myself.
Ava Whitaker ’24, Musical Theatre

Christy Altomare, Christiane Noll, Alex Brightman and Sierra Boggess

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

Rehearsal at Weaver Commons, Okoboji Summer Theatre

Musical Theatre and Acting students participate in the Summer Performing Arts Intensive (SPAI). This immersive experience, taught by specialized pros, introduces students to specialties such as the Michael Chekhov Technique, dialects, and more.

Stephens student during musical performance.

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 season, students can build their resumes, portfolios, and experience all aspects 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, truly unique, and comprehensive internship experience.