The journey to a career in musical theatre awaits. Are you ready to take the first step?
The Musical Theatre B.F.A. degree program is an intensive training program that consistently produces highly skilled and socially responsible musical theatre professionals.
After submitting video pre-screen auditions, a select group of students will be invited to an in-person audition, which will determine acceptance into the prestigious program.
Students accepted into the program will receive specialized acting, voice, and dance training designed with a commitment to educating the whole artist and human. The Penn State School of Theatre’s integrated approach to education will help you to find your most powerful artistic voice while fully embracing the evolving art of musical theatre.
Is the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre right for you?
The B.F.A. in Musical Theatre is an intense professional training program where you will learn from a world-class faculty with direct ties to the highest levels of the profession.
Along the journey to finding your artistic voice, you will undoubtedly encounter physical and emotional demands. Students in the program are recognized as high-level, pre-professionals and to support each artist, the School of Theatre has developed the Musical Theatre Wellness Center.
The mission of the Wellness Center is to provide a comprehensive range of services to help musical theatre students avoid injury, minimize stress, and negotiate the demands placed on them in their training. With a nutrition fueling station developed by a Penn State Athletics nutritionist and services that promote physical, vocal, and mental health, students have access to extensive resources throughout their time in the program.
In addition to countless performance opportunities, workshops, master classes, and interactions with working musical theatre professionals, you will work closely with a commissioned writer in your junior year to develop a production that will culminate with a series of performances at the end of your senior year.
Considering the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre? Consider this.
Our program is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation.
- In your junior year, you’ll work with a writer commissioned to develop a musical for your class.
- The Musical Theatre Wellness Center offers numerous services to support you as a student.
- Faculty have extensive industry experience on Broadway and beyond.
- Small class sizes mean individualized attention.
Alumni Spotlight
Penn State embraced my vision for a cross-disciplinary education that combined electrical engineering with theatre and stage lighting.
Alumni Spotlight
Andrew Giffin
Inter-College Bachelor of Philosophy, 2005
Andrew Giffin – a Schreyer Scholar who earned a inter-college Bachelor of Philosophy incorporating studies in Theatre Design and Technology plus Electrical Engineering – is the associate lighting designer for the rock band, Phish, and is widely considered as the top lighting programmer in the industry. Andrew has designed and programmed light shows for musicians such as Pearl Jam, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber in addition to his work on music award shows, theatre productions and sporting events.
News from A&A
Theatre professor wins two Helen Hayes Award nods
Milagros Ponce de León, associate professor and head of the B.F.A. Design and Technology program, was recently nominated for two Helen Hayes Awards for outstanding set design for her work on Into
School of Theatre faculty, staff and students producing protective masks
