Conservatory Admission
Conservatory admission information, application instructions and audition information.
(440) 826-2368, music@bw.edu
Faculty Contact for Student Recruitment
Gregory Daniels, gdaniels@bw.edu, (440) 826-3766
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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% 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
The 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
- Cleveland Play House
- Dobama Theatre
- Cain Park Summer Music Theatre
- Cleveland Public Theatre
- Near West Theatre
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. In fall 2019, BW was the first university to stage the academic premiere of "Kinky Boots." The production 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. BW also produced the first-ever virtual production of "Spring Awakening," which was highlighted in American Theatre Magazine and The New York Times.
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.
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
- Acting Bootcamp
- Scene to Song
- Shakespeare
- Audition Technique
- Golden Age of Music Theatre
- Music Theatre Business/Acting for the Camera
- Intermediate Acting for Music Theatre
- Advanced Acting for Music Theatre
- Music Theatre Showcase
- Script Analysis
- Theatre History
- 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.
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 Theatre has outstanding collaborations with regional and national organizations. A few examples include:
- Annual productions with Playhouse Square and Near West Theatre, as well as opportunities with Cleveland Play House and Great Lakes Theater.
- Dance Concert is open to the entire student body and is a unique collaboration among student and faculty choreographers, 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
Faculty Contact for Student Recruitment
Gregory Daniels, gdaniels@bw.edu, (440) 826-3766
Music Theatre
Jennifer Hemphill
Professor of Music Theatre
Music Theatre Director
M.F.A., Kent State University
B.F.A., New York University
Richard Biever
Associate Professor of Music Theatre
Music Theatre Music Director
M.F.A., Penn State
Colleen Longshaw Jackson
Lecturer in Music Theatre
M.F.A., B.A., Kent State University
Rachel Woods
Lecturer in Music Theatre
Assistant Music Theatre Music Director
Dance
Gregory Daniels
Associate Professor of Dance
A.A.S., Onondaga Community College
Chistina Lindhout
Assistant Professor of Dance
Sabrina Lindhout
Lecturer of Dance
Sam McIntosh
Lecturer of Dance
B.A., Baldwin Wallace University
Voice
JR Fralick
Chair, Vocal Studies Department
Professor of Voice
D.M.A., The Ohio State University
Anna Lowrey Clark
Lecturer of Voice
M.M., Shenandoah University
Tracy Grady
Lecturer of Voice
M.M., Ohio University
Nancy Maultsby
Professor of Voice
B.M., Westminster Choir College
Joanne Uniatowski
Professor of Voice
D.M.A., The Cleveland Institute of Music
Sue Wallin
Lecturer of Voice
B.M., Kent State University
Marc Weagraff
Professor of Voice
D.M.A., The University of Michigan