Music Theatre
Major
Music theatre major overview
Have you always dreamed of becoming an actor, singer or dancer? Earn the skills you need to start a career as a professional performer with a music theatre major.
From your first year, you'll perform on stage. You'll learn choreography and dance, set design, directing, acting, voice, technical design and more. Then, you'll put it to the test with more than 25 shows each year, including a special summer theatre program.
With a music theatre major, you'll graduate as a well-rounded performer ready to take on a career on the stage or behind the scenes.
AT A GLANCE
Why study music theatre?
Turn your passion for performance and creative self-expression into a full-time career with a music theatre major.
You'll learn from visiting professional performers, Fullbright scholars, playwrights, directors, designers and choreographers. You'll learn topics like:
- Playwriting
- Choreography
- Set design
- Directing
You'll also have access to roughly 50,000 costumes, a design/tech lab, costume shop and stellar performance venues.
Starting your very first year, you'll take what you've learned in the classroom and put it to the test on stage. We sponsor over 25 productions a year for students. These performances include six major productions, studio and and the option to participate in a summer theatre program.
You'll graduate as an experienced performer, ready for a career on stage or behind it. Like our alumni who have pursued successful careers on Broadway, in regional theatre groups, in film and television and more.
Highlights of our music theatre program
As a music theatre student here at CMU, you'll:
- Perform across the state with our summer theatre program: Earn money, professional experience and college credit while you perform across Michigan in venues like The Playhouse at White Lake and the Beaver Island Community Center.
- Learn from top industry performers: You'll earn inside-industry knowledge from top directors, actors, choreographers as they visit campus. Artists like Masashi Action Machine (Japan) and Jump Rhythm Jazz Project (Chicago) have visited in the past!
- Perform at state-of-the-art venues: You'll have the opportunity to audition for performances starting your very first semester. Perform in our 500-seat proscenium Bush Theatre, our 200-seat round theatre or at our recently renovated 75-seat theatre.
- Join a group of award-winning students, faculty and staff: Our talented students, faculty and staff have regularly won awards for their work, including the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Certificate of Merit.
- Find community with student organizations: Meet friends, find mentors and take advantage of special performance opportunities with the CMU Dance Alliance or Alpha Psi Omega, a co-ed fraternity for theatre.
How to audition for music theatre
Admission into the music theatre program requires a competitive audition. For Michigan residents, you'll need to attend an in-person audition in the spring. Out-of-state students may audition virtually.
Your audition is comprised of three elements; a vocal performance, prepared monologue(s) and participation in a dance master class. Make sure to review all the components of the audition so you can be well prepared.
Your program audition also doubles as a scholarship submission! All students who apply for admission to a B.F.A program, like music theatre, will automatically be considered for any available Theatre Special Talent Scholarships.
Jobs for music theatre majors
With a degree in music theatre, you'll be prepared for a variety of careers in music, theatre, film, television and related fields.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Actor | $37,315 |
| Stage Manager | $82,510 |
| Musician/Singer | $81,411 |
| Choreographer | $50,990 |
| Music Director | $62,590 |
| Composer | $62,590 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $60,670 |
Perform across the state
Join CMU's summer theatre to build your professional résumé and hone the skills necessary for a successful theatre career. You'll build professional experience in acting, tech, costume and set design while traveling across the state to perform. The best part? You'll earn credit and an income while you do.
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