The Music Theatre Certificate Program provides the opportunity for School of Communication students majoring in theatre, dance, or performance studies, as well as voice majors in the Bienen School of Music, to create an area of specialization that is important to their development as musical theatre artists.
The prescribed sequence of courses is open only to students accepted into the program through audition. The auditions are held annually in the fall quarter. Only first-year and sophomore students enrolled as theatre, dance, or performance studies majors in the School of Communication, or as voice majors in Bienen, are eligible to audition for the Music Theatre Certificate Program; other students will not be admitted. Auditionees are required to perform a vocal selection and a monologue and to participate in a dance audition.
This interdisciplinary program prepares students for careers as music theatre performing artists, choreographers, composers, lyricists and directors.
The 30 students admitted to the program on the basis of their vocal, monologue and dance auditions develop the versatile performance skills demanded by this specialized art form. Students take specialized courses in music theatre techniques, as well as acting, voice and dance. Students also study the history and creation of music theatre.
Music theatre is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in America—and one of the toughest to break into. Alumni of Northwestern and the Music Theatre Certificate program can be seen on Broadway and in national tours of hit productions.
Evanston, IL
Conservatory Style in Liberal Arts Environment
B.A. Theatre w/ a musical theatre certificate
Small (<10k Students)
40K-50K
A limited number of partial tuition scholarships are awarded. Final scholarship decisions depend on the total number of scholarships available and the number of qualified applicants for these awards. Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis, dependent upon academic performance and availability of funds. A majority of enrolled students have received scholarships ranging from 10% to 25% of tuition. Letters regarding awards will be mailed to those who qualify.
Modules are extended, structured learning experiences that take a student from an entry point to comprehensive understanding of a specific learning objective. Modules are built around 4-6 courses that provide formal instruction related to the learning goal. Formal coursework is paired with co-curricular experiences that provide appropriate opportunities for application and practice. Modules provide a flexible way to build student-faculty cohorts, promote in-depth learning in areas of special significance, and guarantee that students can articulate what they have learned and demonstrate it through performance. More module categories can be added with demand. Current module titles in Theatre include: Devising and Adaptation, Music Theatre Choreography, Playwriting, Theatre and Performance in the Americas, and Theatre for Young Audiences.
MT-PREP offers a range of services to assist young actors as they prepare for college auditions. Please fill out the form below to get the process started!