Skip to main content

Study Musical Theatre

Gain a deeper understanding of performance art through theatre and music. Build the self-confidence you need to stand on a stage or in front of a podium.

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Major

124

4 Years

Salem

One performer on stage singing during a Willamette Theatre production

Our Musical Theatre Major

Hone your storytelling and performance skills through our musical theatre degree. Learn to collaborate on a shared vision, navigate different roles within a professional hierarchy, and communicate ideas and emotions effectively. Our program focuses on performance, allowing you to become a stronger artist and build skills that translate to a variety of careers and industries.

Why choose Musical Theatre at Willamette?

  • Flexible pathways and "triple threat" training. Build your knowledge of theatre, dance, and music through courses taught by experts in each field. Our liberal arts education connects the Music and Theatre departments, resulting in specialized classes such as music theory, vocal performance, and dance.
  • Build your network in the theatre community. Develop connections through our guest artist residencies, join Theatre 33, or build skills in student groups such as Headband and Willamette Dance Company. Expand your connections with workshops taught by Broadway performers and professionals in related career paths.
  • Gain professional musical theatre experience on stage. Students can audition for multiple productions throughout the year – without competing with graduate students. Consider participating in our yearly opera, musical, or drama productions.

Schedule a Visit

Thanks to a strong Theatre community, three Willamette graduates worked together to bring a new production to life. They created a musical that calls for people to be fearless in the name of connection.

Three Willamette Graduates composed, wrote, and directed a new musical

Together, playwright E.M. Lewis BA‘94, composer Clarence Roscoe McDonald BA’23, and director Carly Christensen BA’16 brought a new production to the stage. Lewis and McDonald connected during a senior capstone project and decided to collaborate on a new show. After it was created, Christensen contributed their directing skills to bring this Willamette production to the stage.
View Story
In the Deep on stage
In the Deep on stage
In the Deep made its world premiere in 2023. It featured three Willamette graduates, all adding their skills to the project. Photo Credit: KJ Johnson

Alumni Stories

Learn how Willamette graduates are making an impact in music, theatre, dance, and beyond.

  • Tess Falcone BA’10

    Theatre mentorship led to a career in set design for powerful musicians
    Tess Falcone used her cross-disciplinary studies to break into the music industry. She now runs the lighting production for crowds up to 90,000 people. She's worked with musicians such as Brian May, Weezer, Ben Folds, The Lumineers, and Maggie Rogers.

    Tess Falcone BA’10
  • Jihan Haddad BA’16

    Jihan Haddad BA’16

    A strong theatre network helped contribute to a career on stage.
    Jihan Haddad has been able to move from role to role, performing in both big and small venues across the country. She credits a strong community as the basis for her success.

Introducing Some of Our Faculty

Get to know the professional actors, singers, and dancers who teach at Willamette. They bring a wealth of knowledge, connections, and guidance to the classroom. We also offer a guest artist program that brings an impressive roster of experienced professionals to campus.

  • Meet Professor Penn

    Dr. Hannah Penn has a background in opera and recital performance. She has sung over twenty operatic roles with companies like Glimmerglass Opera, Florida Grand Opera, and Portland Opera.

    Headshot of Dr. Hannah Penn
  • Meet Professor Swanson

    Megan Swanson is an actor, dancer, and member of Actors’ Equity with national and regional experience. She has performed in Camelot, Cabaret, and Cats, working alongside Michael York and Lou Diamond Phillips.

    Headshot of Megan Swanson
  • Meet Professor Coromel

    Susan Coromel, Artistic Director and co‑founder of Theatre 33 at Willamette, has performed more than 65 roles in New York and regional stages. A member of Actors’ Equity, she champions new plays.

    Headshot of Susan Coromel

Curriculum

Embrace a multi-faceted education in music, dance, and theatre. Our program connects the music department and theatre department, allowing students to develop a well-rounded education.

  • THTR 140 Acting I

    Develop foundational acting skills through movement, voice, and improvisation exercises that foster personal discovery and ensemble cohesion. Explore essential concepts of presence, character embodiment, and collaborative storytelling.

  • THRT 283 Dance for Musical Theatre

    Develop foundational dance techniques specific to musical theatre while exploring the role of movement in performance and storytelling. Study iconic choreographers and styles, and apply movements through practical exercises and stage routines.

Program Requirements

Our program requires 46 semester hours to complete the major, with 124 credit hours to complete the degree. Core courses comprise 20 credits, structured electives account for 8 credits, and required courses total 28 credits.

A student singing during an opera production

Admissions Information

Our Musical Theatre program is open to first-year students, transfer students, and international students. Explore our undergraduate admissions process to get started.

Students dancing on stage

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette is committed to supporting Musical Theatre majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $26,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.

A group of performers with their fists raised in a performance

FAQs

Willamette University

Musical Theatre