Decades of high praise and accolades for the elite program make BW a powerhouse pipeline for students seeking careers on Broadway, national tours, film and television.
Who doesn't love a little fanfare and celebration when it comes to BW's music theatre program earning another accolade? The recognitions are as plentiful as the many graduates who've fondly been known as BWMTs over the 25+ years the program has been in existence.
But each accolade is like another standing ovation, so when Backstage once again named BW to its "16 College Undergraduate Musical Theater Programs You Should Know" list, there was a rousing cheer across campus and beyond. Music theatre is one of many BW pride points in the Conservatory of Performing Arts and at the university.
For BW music theatre director Jennifer Hemphill, the national accolade came as she and a distinguished team of music theatre professors and professionals were putting the final touches on 11 student performances for this year's Music Theatre Senior Showcase, which was held mid-April at New World Stage in New York City.
The two-day pinnacle event is where BW students can make an impressive showing of their Triple Threat talents of acting, singing and dancing to 200 industry professionals — agents, managers, casting directors, modeling agencies and TV/film studios — for representation in the field.
"Being named one of the top 16 musical theatre programs in the country by Backstage.com affirms what so many already know about Baldwin Wallace University's music theatre program: excellence is not accidental, it's intentional," said Hemphill, who brought two decades of professional performance and academic leadership experience to BW when she was named to the music theatre director position in December 2024.
"Building on its already stellar foundation in music and dance training, the program has made a clear and concerted effort to elevate its acting training, broaden industry connections and professional opportunities, and deliver rigorous technical preparation alongside real-world career readiness," she added.
"This recognition reflects a program that is not only keeping pace with the evolving demands of the industry but is actively shaping the future of it," believes Hemphill.
Among accolades mentioned in the Backstage article are the diverse and purposeful skill-building opportunities that give students an outstanding foundation they can apply to roles and productions that may be contemporary, commercial, "golden-age" musical theater or pop/rock.
Also impressive, cited Backstage, were BW performance opportunities that include on-campus productions as well as those with partner institutions, including Near West Theatre and Northeast Ohio's acclaimed Playhouse Square — the largest national performing arts center outside of New York City.
Another BW pride point noted in the article is the professionalism of the program, where "each audition and rehearsal is run similar to Equity rules to prepare students for industry standards."
The premier casting platform and entertainment industry publication also lauds BW for having "a master class series [that] allows students of all years to be seen by industry professionals (e.g., agents, managers, casting directors) who visit campus annually to offer critiques and advice. Summer stock companies regularly recruit students for seasonal contracts."
With successes spread from coast to coast and across the ocean to London, BW music theatre alumni are an amazing, enthusiastic and hard-working talent source across all industries.
Having cut their teeth at BW community partner organizations that include Great Lakes Theater, Dobama Theatre, Cain Park Summer Music Theatre and Cleveland Public Theatre, as well as Playhouse Square and Near West Theatre, BWMTs have had a long run on the stages of Broadway over the years.
A few successes (but certainly not limited to only these individuals named) are recent alumni who are currently performing on Broadway — Keri Rene Fuller '15 as Elphaba in "Wicked," Jessi Kirtley '24 as Jean Leslie in "Operation Mincemeat" and Nadia Hassan '20 as Peggy/Maria in "Hamilton."
Myriad other alumni are performing, directing and putting their talent to use elsewhere across the country. Among them is Steven Huynh '21, who was just announced in the lead role of Oliver for the North American Tour of "Maybe Happy Ending."
Closer to home, BW music theatre is presenting the world premiere of "Star Machine" in both New York City and Cleveland as part of a long-running spring partnership with Playhouse Square that gives BW students a one-of-a-kind performance experience.
With music and lyrics by BW music theatre music direction alumnus Gideon Temple '25 and his brother, BW music composition senior Hank Temple, and book by Hollee Temple and John Temple, their parents, the show is sold out for its Cleveland performances April 24-26.
The show boasts New York City talent. Daniel Goldstein, director of the Broadway revival of "Godspell," is serving as consulting director with BW music theatre faculty member Richard Biever as director. Rounding out the powerhouse creative team are NYC choreographer Carol Schuberg and Gideon Temple '25 as music director.
"After a national search, we hired Jennifer Hemphill as our new music theatre director and Richard Biever as our new music theatre music director. We are excited about the leadership they have brought to the program," said BW President Lee Fisher.
"From the outset, they have introduced a new, fresh approach that emphasizes collaboration, mentorship and a genuinely supportive learning environment. The positive impact of their approach is reflected in the Backstage national ranking of our music theatre program," he noted.
"The leadership of our music theatre program, with the continued contributions of dance director Greg Daniels and the entire music theatre faculty and staff, has never been stronger," believes Fisher.
