Director, Music Theatre Program
M.F.A., Northwestern University
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.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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:
- Playhouse Square
- Great Lakes Theater
- Beck Center for the Arts
- Cleveland Play House
- Dobama Theatre
- Cain Park Summer Music Theatre
- Cleveland Public Theatre
- Nighttown
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 BW's Conservatory of Music. 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.
CURRICULUM
BW's comprehensive curriculum gives you what you need to excel. Housed in the state-of-the-art Conservatory of Music, 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 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:
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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
FACULTY
Dance Program Coordinator
A.A.S., Onondaga Community College in Business
Lecturer of Music Theatre Music Direction
B.M., Music Theatre, Baldwin Wallace University
Area Coordinator, Music Theatre
M.M., Ohio University
Music Theatre Music Director
B.A., Baldwin Wallace College
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
Assistant
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
Associate
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