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Music Theatre

Conservatory of Performing Arts

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Conservatory Admission

(440) 826-2368, music@bw.edu

Victoria Bussert, Director of Music Theatre Program
Matthew Webb,
Music Director
Gregory Daniels,
Dance Program Coordinator
Tracy Grady,
Area Coordinator, Music Theatre

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OVERVIEW

From lead roles on Broadway and London's West End to prime time television, film and more, Baldwin Wallace music theatre alumni have garnered top acclaim for more than 20 years.

As a result, Baldwin Wallace's program has earned accolades from leading agents, casting directors, critics and other industry professionals.

BW students have appeared regionally and nationally while they're in school. Extensive performance experiences provide real-world opportunities. They've earned equity points, made important contacts and gained valuable resume-enhancing experience.

BW produces an annual New York Showcase attended by the industry, resulting in 100 percent of BW students being signed by top agents for the past 10 years.

You'll learn from award-winning, professionally active faculty with extensive national and international experience in directing, acting, singing and dance. Small classes ensure personalized attention and close faculty mentoring.

  • Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre production of Into the Woods

    "Into the Woods" at Kleist Center for Art & Drama

    BW Music Theatre production of Stephen Sondheim's classic musical was called "well-conceived and compelling" by local critics, and "a tribute to the quality of the students and faculty of one of the best collegiate musical theatre programs.

  • Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre production of Once

    "Once" at Beck Center for the Arts

    The academic premiere of "Once" was a hit, with audiences in awe of the performers' instrumental abilities. All 12 performers not only acted in the production, but were the show's orchestra.

  • Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre premiere of Kinky Boots

    "Kinky Boots" at Kleist Center for Art & Drama

    The BW Music Theatre production of "Kinky Boots" was visited by original Broadway director, Jerry Mitchell, and five BW Music Theatre alumni who appeared in the Broadway or National Tour versions of the production after they graduated. A fundraiser on the second Saturday of the production featured performances by these talented grads.

  • Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre production of Lizzie

    "Lizzie" at Beck Center for the Arts

    A BW Music Theatre favorite, "Lizzie" had a successful run at Beck Center for the Arts in 2022 after previously playing Playhouse Square's 14th Street Theatre in 2012 and Ohio Theatre in 2017.

Performing Partners

Baldwin Wallace's close proximity to Cleveland and its nationally ranked music and arts organizations offers outstanding learning and performing opportunities. BW students have performed with BW community partners that include:

Groundbreaking Premieres

Over the years, BW has produced six regional premieres in partnership with Playhouse Square and received national attention for academic premieres of Broadway productions. Among its credits, BW produced the first-ever in repertory productions of La Boheme and Rent. Other recent academic premieres have included: Brooklyn: the Musical, [title of show], Passing Strange, Lizzie Borden, Murder Ballad and the new version of Saturday Night Fever. BW is a proud member of the National Alliance for Music Theatre.

Vibrant Facility Engages Students

Striking Boesel Musical Arts Center is a picturesque four-building complex that houses the BW Conservatory of Performing Arts. It's a seamless blend of historic architecture and modern design. The facility houses 50 soundproofed practice rooms, instructional space, practice studios and impressive rehearsal halls that can accommodate the latest technologies for teaching and performance.

BW = Broadway Worthy

"Baldwin Wallace = Broadway Worthy; when Victoria Bussert's students hit New York, they don't just show up, they stand out" - read story from The Cleveland Plain Dealer

National Acclaim

The music theatre program tops the list of Onstage's Top College Musical Theatre Programs for 2019-20. Onstage also ranked BW as the top-ranked program in the nation in their 2018-19 rankings for Best Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Music Theatre Programs.

Senior Showcase

The Plain Dealer's theatre critic has chronicled the exceptional success of BW Music Theatre program in a series of articles that delved into the secrets of BW's nationally acclaimed "star factory," and followed seniors on their journey to Senior Showcase in New York.

Alumni Reviews

The Cleveland newspaper and other media have also produced poignant stories on the scores of successful BW grads appearing on Broadway, like Jill Paice, Ciara Renee and Chris McCarrell and offered high praise in reviews of productions on and off campus.

~ see more Alumni Success

Exceptional Learning Experiences

Innovation, excellence, and outstanding hands-on learning and performance opportunities make the BW Conservatory of Performing Arts a proven choice for students nationwide. The undergraduate-only Conservatory provides an exceptional learning environment for students to take lead roles in performing, conducting, managing and teaching. Alumni can be found at top graduate schools and working with the best orchestras, operas and theatres. Other alumni are employed in rewarding positions in teaching, arts management and music therapy.

CURRICULUM

BW's comprehensive curriculum gives you what you need to excel. Housed in the state-of-the-art Conservatory, the Bachelor of Music in music theatre will prepare you to unlock your artistry and succeed in the field.

Courses include:

  • Four years of Applied Voice Study
  • Music Theory/Sight Singing
  • Music Theatre History
  • Piano
  • Vocal Ensemble
  • Core Acting Skills
  • Scene to Song
  • Shakespeare
  • Acting IV
  • Acting V
  • Audition Technique
  • Golden Age of Music Theatre
  • Music Theatre Business/Acting for the Camera
  • Music Theatre Senior Boot Camp
  • Music Theatre Showcase
  • Script Analysis
  • Theatre History
  • Stagecraft for the Actor
  • Makeup for the Stage
  • Ballet Bootcamp
  • Ballet I-IV
  • Jazz I-IV
  • Modern I-II
  • Tap I-IV
  • Hip Hop I-II
  • Pointe I-II and Modern III-IV are also available as electives
  • Elective credits in Music, Theatre or Dance

The music theatre major prepares students to:

  • Use their knowledge of and skills in music, dance and acting to prepare for auditions and performances.
  • Present theatrical repertoire representing a variety of genres with appropriate interpretive and technical proficiency as actors, singers and dancers.
  • Identify and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become leaders in their field.

Master Classes

Master classes are an integral part of BW's music theatre training. Each year, BW brings to campus at least ten of the top music theatre professionals, including agents, casting directors, choreographers and music directors. Guest artists work directly with students and help them develop the skills needed to thrive in the field.

Course Catalog

Course Descriptions

A more extensive listing of course descriptions requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Extensive music theatre performance opportunities begin freshman year at BW and continue through senior year, culminating in the New York Showcase. Every student is encouraged to audition for all BW productions, including music theatre, traditional theatre and opera. There are no limitations. Baldwin Wallace music theatre offers an impressive array of performance opportunities.

MUSIC THEATRE COLLABORATIONS

BW Music has outstanding collaborations with regional and national organizations. A few examples include:

  • Annual productions with Playhouse Square and Beck Center for the Arts, as well as opportunities with Great Lakes Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.
  • Fyoo zh en is open to the entire student body. It is a unique collaboration among student choreographers, composers, dancers and designers, culminating in a weekend-long spectacular dance event.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Opportunities for music theatre majors include:

  • Ars Nova
    Ars Nova is a welcoming music theatre community that fosters the relationship between the professional theatrical community and BW pre-professional students through education provided by guest artists from the professional field.
  • Theatre Arts and Performance
    The purpose of this organization is to support student theatre artists and those interested in theatre on campus, to inform students of events and opportunities in theatre, to maintain an open forum for student ideas and projects, and to raise awareness of theatrical events on and off campus.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

BW's music theatre program has achieved renowned success. Today, its alumni can be found in leading roles on Broadway, in national tours, and on television and film.
View alumni success >

FACULTY

Victoria Bussert

Director, Music Theatre Program
M.F.A., Northwestern University

Victoria Bussert

Matthew Webb

Music Theatre Music Director
B.A., Baldwin Wallace College

Matthew Webb

Gregory Daniels

Dance Program Coordinator
A.A.S., Onondaga Community College in Business

Gregory Daniels

Ryan Garrett

Lecturer of Music Theatre Music Direction
B.M., Music Theatre, Baldwin Wallace University

Ryan Garrett

Tracy Grady

Area Coordinator, Music Theatre
M.M., Ohio University

Tracy Grady

Music Theatre

Victoria Bussert
Director, Music Theatre Program
Professor of Theatre
M.F.A., M.A., Northwestern University
www.victoriabussert.com

Matthew Webb
Music Theatre Music Director
Assistant Professor of Music Theatre
B.A., Baldwin-Wallace College

Ryan Garrett
Lecturer of Music Theatre Music Direction
B.M., Baldwin Wallace University

Colleen Longshaw Jackson
Lecturer in Music Theatre
M.F.A., Kent State University

Tracy Grady
Area Coordinator, Music Theatre
Lecturer in Voice
M.M., Ohio University

DANCE

Gregory Daniels
Coordinator, Dance Program
Associate Professor of Dance
A.A.S., Onondaga Community College

Annika Sheaff
Associate Professor of Dance
B.F.A., Julliard School

Sara Whale
Assistant Professor of Dance
B.F.A., Pacific Northwest College of Art

Kelly Clymer
Lecturer in Dance
B.A., Mercyhurst University

Kim Gladdon
Lecturer in Dance
Injury Prevention and Health, Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
M.D., George Washington University

ACTING

Laura Welsh Berg
Assistant Professor, Acting and Directing
M.F.A., DePaul University

VOICE

JR Fralick
Chair, Vocal Studies Department
Professor of Voice
D.M.A., The Ohio State University

Gregory Harrell
Professor of Voice
M.M., University of Idaho, Lionel Hampton School of Music

Nancy Maultsby
Professor of Voice
B.M. Westminster Choir College

Cynthia O'Connell
Professor of Voice
M.M., West Chester University, Pennsylvania

Joanne Uniatowski
Associate Professor of Voice
D.M.A., The Cleveland Institute of Music

Tracy Grady
Area Coordinator, Music Theatre
Lecturer in Voice
M.M., Ohio University

Sandra Simon
Lecturer in Voice
M.M., Cleveland Institute of Music

Susan Wallin
Lecturer in Voice
B.M., Kent State University

Marc Weagraff
Associate Professor of Voice
D.M.A., The University of Michigan