Theatre College Guide - Best Musical Theatre Colleges

We sat down with Otterbein University Associate Professor and Producing Artistic Director T.J. Gerckens to discuss what sets Otterbein apart from other programs, the benefits of training at a small school, and how to know whether a college program is right for you.

BroadwayWorld sat down with Michael Minarik, the Director and Acting Head at Institute for American Musical Theatre, to discuss what sets IAMT's program apart, studying in New York City, and the importance of seeking joy.

In conversation with MFA Candidate Anastasia Ellis, Parker discusses how dramaturgy moves in traditional text-based theatre and in the nonverbal dance world.

The Broadway Education Alliance, a New York based nonprofit committed to making the theatre more accessible and inclusive for middle and high schools, and WPBS-TV, the PBS affiliate station in  Northern New York, have partnered to create a new series of educational videos from Broadway called “At This  Stage” to illuminate the important role The Arts can play in K-12 education.

Stephens College Conservatory for the Performing Arts faculty John Hemphill and Lisa Brescia are starring in the Dear Evan Hansen Broadway national tour. Brescia plays Heidi Hansen and Hemphill plays Larry Murphy.

November 17th is International Students' Day and BroadwayWorld is celebrating the work of our student bloggers! Each month, student bloggers share their experiences as theatre students and tips for success at universities all over the world.

The set on a stage acts as a vessel for the entire show. To be able to design, create, and build a set requires years of training and education. A set designer needs to have a creative mindset and learn the vocabulary that goes into scenic design. Here are the five books every set design student should read at least once!

Lighting has the ability to tell a story all on its own. It has the ability to provoke a certain emotion from audience members without having to say anything. With that said, many don't realize the work and detail that goes into lighting a show from behind the scenes. Lighting designers are such a crucial part of any performance and should be praised for their knowledge and skill.

Contrary to what many people believe, a sound designer does not simply find music for a show. They contribute in big ways making sure everyone's mics are operating properly down to the small tasks like picking out all the sound effects for the show. While having a background in music is key, having the proper education is a priority. Here at the top five books every sound design student should read at least once!

Costume designers are an integral part of any theatre. While the audience might see a beautiful costume on stage, behind the scenes there is a great amount of detail and work put into preparing each costume design. Costume designers shine through their work on stage by understanding not just each individual piece, but the history behind it. Here are the five books every costume design student should read at least once! 

The job of a stage manager requires one to wear many different hats. A stage manager acts as an organizer, communicator, motivator, and sometimes...a mediator or therapist. Behind any great show in theatre, there is a stage manager helping to hold things together and push things forward. A stage manager is a job that is so essential to the world of theatre, but how does one get started in that field? Here are the five books every stage management student should read at least once!

Whether you want to direct in a community theatre setting or be the next hit Broadway director, every directing student must have a strong educational foundation. While learning from experience is always beneficial, there is nothing wrong with taking direction (no pun intended!) from the directing pros. Here are the top five directing books that every directing student should read at least once in their life!

The Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) consists of 200 undergraduate students, divided between our acting and musical theatre programs. Students are guaranteed onstage performance credit while they are at CCPA - more time onstage means more training for your future career in the theatre.

Whether you are a veteran actor or just walking into your first acting class, every acting student must continue to learn more about the craft. Acting itself is a journey and having the right tools under your belt will only help you enhance your skills. Here are the five books that every acting student should read at least once!

Whether your focus is musical theatre, opera, vocal performance, piano, music education, orchestral instruments, conducting, sacred music, or theory and composition; having a vast understanding of music is vitally important. Here are the five books every music student should read at least once!​

Located in the greater Washington, D.C. area, students are offered unparalleled opportunities for engagement with professional opportunities throughout the region, as well as in New York City and Los Angeles. The curriculum is focused on student engagement and professional development through partnerships with internationally renowned institutions such as Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre, The Kennedy Center and Woolly Mammoth.

STEM vs. STEAM: Which is a better focus for schools? While both STEM and STEAM have differences, there is an opportunity for growth across all occupations in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Check out results from a recent study funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ranked by the Princeton Review in the top five for 'Best College Theater,' Bennington College offers students a thorough grounding in virtually every dimension of theater-making: acting, directing, playwriting, devising, theatre history, dramatic literature, dramaturgy, stage management, and design (set, costume, lights, projection, and sound).

The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University offers a unique and intensive program for training young artists for theatre. All students are accepted into the program by interview or audition and are enrolled in a particular sequence. It is our mission to train our future colleagues to become visionaries, creators and leaders in the next generation of American professional theatre.

Founded in 1991, Education Through Music (ETM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes the use of music in under-resourced schools and schools in disadvantaged areas, as a means of enhancing students' academic performance and general development. ETM celebrated its 30th Annual Benefit Gala on Monday, June 13, 2022 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The gala included over 400 people and raised over $1M. 

Engaging in art is essential to students and humans alike. As soon as children develop motor skills, they communicate through artistic expression. Today, most schools put the majority of their focus on standardized testing and some negate the arts altogether. Giving students the materials for artistic expression can lower stress, improve their memory, and make students feel more socially connected. 

The School of Theatre at Florida State University is regularly recognized as one of the finest theatre programs in the nation. The School of Theatre at Florida State University's mission is to use the evolving, live, collaborative art of theatre to develop artists and scholars who have a lifelong passion for the arts.

The School of Theatre prepares young theatre artists for a sustainable, professional life. The program is grounded in the philosophy of putting theory into practice from the classroom to the stage to produce creative, culturally aware, and highly effective theatrical artists.

The American Theatre Wing is a nonprofit organization, founded on the eve of America's entry into WWI by seven suffragists and theater-makers who came together to support the nation by harnessing the power of theater. Through a powerful suite of programs that address all aspects of the national theater ecology, ATW encourages the discovery of theater by people of all ages, nurtures talent on stage and off, creates pathways for success for students and young professionals, and encourages the development of the art form itself by recognizing and supporting innovative and excellent work with awards and grants.

More than 100 talented young NYC public school theatre artists will make their Broadway debuts in The Shubert Foundation's 2022 High School Theatre Festival for NYC Public Schools on Monday, May 23 at 7:30pm at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway) on Broadway. This annual high profile and high energy theatre education experience for NYC students is presented by The Shubert Foundation and the NYC Department of Education Arts Office.