Do you dream of taking the stage in a big musical production? Refine your talent in this rigorous five-day course with professional-level training in voice, dance, acting, and audition techniques. Learn from faculty working in the industry and distinguished visiting musical theater artists from Broadway. The program will culminate in a final performance open to family and friends.

Non-credit

Residential

Commuter

Accepts International Students

Final project

Each day, students will participate in several core classes in voice, acting, dance, and audition techniques.

Master Classes
Every summer Musical Theater Workshop offers master classes to students for an opportunity to connect with a master teacher in a classroom setting. This summer master classes will be lead by the following guests:
1 - Erika Henningsen, originated the role of Cady Heron in Broadway’s Mean Girls.
2 - Khiyon Hursey, songwriter on the major motion picture Spirited, starring Ryan Reynolds.
3 - Dan Callaway, national Broadway tour with Phantom of the Opera.
4 - Debo Ray, Grammy-nominated performer.

Core Classes:
- Voice
- Dance and Movement for the Stage
- Acting Technique
- Audition Technique: This required class will help you ace your next audition by learning the dos and don’ts of audition etiquette. Bring your own sheet music for two contrasting selections in the correct key, ideally 16–32 bars each. Headshots and resumés are welcome but not required.

Electives:
Students will also take three electives, ranking their topic preferences before starting the program.

Performance Opportunities
The program culminates in a final showcase of student ensembles. Each student will take the stage and participate in at least one ensemble.
Students also have the opportunity to perform in an open mic on the first day of the program.

Electives:

1 - Acting Through Song: Practice what William Eastland calls "The Juggling Act" - balancing concentration on your character’s objective without getting distracted by vocal challenges in musical theater, opera, and contemporary styles. A discussion will be followed by coaching of several student volunteers. Please bring your own sheet music in the correct key if you would like an opportunity to perform and receive feedback. Please note that there is only time for a limited number of students to perform in a master class, while the rest learn through observation.

2 - Healthy Belting Workshop: “What is belting and how do I do it?” Further explore the concepts of register, mixing, belting, and vocal health. Learn some exercises to help keep your voice healthy and singing for a lifetime. You will attend a program-wide master class introducing this technique with Dan Callaway. Afterwards, this elective will provide more practice time and individual coaching with Dan.

3 - Circus Arts: Circus skills have made their way into shows all over. Broadway, from Pippin to Sideshow. Joy Clark will teach you some circus basics and a short partner-acrobatic routine so you are ready for the next production of Barnum that comes to town. Partner work will be involved.

4 - Contemporary Musical Theater: Prepare your favorite musical theater songs that draw on pop, rock, and hip-hop. All contemporary repertoire is welcome. This could also be an exciting opportunity to get coached on your rap skills by Khiyon Hursey, music assistant for Broadway’s Hamilton and co-songwriter with Pasek and Paul for the Apple TV+ film Spirited. Please bring your own sheet music of a contemporary theater song in the correct key if you would like an opportunity to perform and receive feedback. You may also choose to learn through observation.

5 - Moves and Grooves for the Performer: Get comfortable adding fluidity and soul to your movement without the stress of learning a combination. Julius Williams III will teach you basic grooves through the decades and create a fun and interactive atmosphere with a funk, soul, and R&B soundtrack from the '60s (Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors), '70s (Motown, Summer) and '80s (Get on Your Feet, Head over Heels). Beginners are welcome.

6 - Monologue Workshop: Whether on stage or at an audition, performing a monologue demands deep character work and text analysis. Bring in a monologue to perform, ideally memorized, and get pointers on your interpretation. For those without prior material or experience, Brandon Green and Caitlin Gjerdrum will provide a few options.

7 - Nailing the Dance Audition: Are you ready to tackle the dance audition? Julius Williams III will take you through what you need to know to walk into your dance audition with confidence. Learn how to pick up choreography quickly, apply corrections on the spot, recover from mistakes, and make a positive first impression. Information on what to pack for your dance audition and the do's and don't of dance auditions will also be explored.

8 - Stage Combat: Learn the fundamentals of an art that dates back centuries. Learn how to simulate fights onstage while escaping without a scratch. Brandon Green will get you started on skills that could come in handy for shows from West Side Story to Heathers: The Musical.

9 - Tap Dancing, level 1: Tap is a longstanding tradition celebrated in numbers from Mean Girls to Book of Mormon, and a style that continues to thrive on innovation, such as in Savion Glover’s choreography for Shuffle Along. Joy Clark will teach you some basics as well as a short routine. Tap shoes required; please choose this elective only if you can bring tap shoes.

10 - Tap Dancing, level 2: An opportunity to develop and finesse more advanced vocabulary of tap dance, taught by Joy Clark. Please only choose this elective if you already are able to execute triple time steps.

11 - Writing an Original Musical: Have you ever wanted to write a song or a whole musical? Or maybe you already have? Led by Caitlin Gjerdrum and David Reiffel, this elective will give you the opportunity to gain some theatrical writing tools and deeper appreciation for the craft. This elective may be taken independently or in addition to the Original Student-Written Musical Ensemble.

Note: All offerings subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Ensembles
Nightly rehearsals culminate in a main stage final showcase on Friday.

Smash Ensemble: Perform a medley from the TV show Smash, in which a songwriting team creates a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe—featuring songs like “Let Me Be Your Star” and “Don’t Forget Me.” Led by Director/Choreographer Julius P. Williams III and Music Director Ned Rosenblatt.

Khiyon Hursey Ensemble: Perform contemporary theater songs written and directed by Khiyon Hursey, co-songwriter with Pasek and Paul of “Good Afternoon” and more for the Apple TV+ film Spirited. Khiyon’s solo work in past years has moved audiences to tears. Music direction by Hana Uwai.

Fangirl Ensemble: After a wildly successful debut last summer, Fangirl is back! Be the first to workshop the next installment from this new musical exploring three realities: a hit teen drama, its rabid fanbase, and a stan caught in the real-life drama of high school bullying, catfishing, and personal growth. Book, music and lyrics by Berklee alum Luna Abreu-Santana. Directed by Brandon Green with music direction by Scott Nicholas.

“Not Another High School Musical” Ensemble: Featuring songs from The Prom, Footloose, and yes, High School Musical, this ensemble will turn the stage into the high school gym on prom night! Led by Director/ Choreographer Heather Myers and Music Director David Coleman.

Original Student-Written Musical Ensemble: Collaborate with other students to co-write and perform a 10-minute musical from scratch, guided by Caitlin Gjerdrum and David Reiffel.

Villains Ensemble: Director/Choregrapher Joy Clark and Music Director William Eastland will guide you through classic and contemporary songs and dances of the notorious villains, antiheroes, and antagonists of the musical theater canon: Sweeney, Ursula, Velma Kelly, Hades and more!

Musical Theater Workshop

Aug 12 - Aug 16

1 week

Commuter

1295 USD

Musical Theater Workshop

Aug 12 - Aug 16

1 week

Residential

2190 USD

Tuition - $1,295
Housing - $895
Registration fee - $50 (nonrefundable)