Music Theatre and Opera
Overview
The Music Theatre and Opera program in the School of Music, Dance & Theatre at Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is committed to preparing outstanding music theatre and opera artists for professional careers in the 21st century.
Through expert individual and classroom instruction, the production of operas and musicals, student-led workshops, new work development, research opportunities, dynamic community engagement, and multiple professional collaborations, we foster a creative, student-centered environment that enables students to discover who they are as individuals and artists, at their own pace, in their own unique way, at the highest level.
Program Highlights
Innovation
Diverse repertoire ranging from traditional to contemporary music theatre and opera with a focus on new work development and collaborations through local, national and international partnerships
Inclusion
Creative, student-centered environment that enables students to discover who they are as individuals and artists, at their own pace, in their own unique way, at the highest level.
Integration
Music theatre performance courses every semester focused on training the singer-actor-dancer for professional careers in music theatre and opera, including business and entrepreneurial skills.
Acting
Acting and musical theatre performance classes, including audition and career training, during all semesters of study, including opportunities for on-camera and voice-over training
Dance
Numerous levels of ballet, jazz and modern dance, plus ample offerings of tap, urban dance, social and music theatre dance styles
Voice
Hour-long voice lessons every semester and regular vocal coaching and repertoire classes with world-renowned faculty
Musicianship
Comprehensive training in keyboarding, sight-singing, theory, history, languages, diction and more
Interdisciplinary Studies
Plentiful opportunities for study abroad, double majors, minors and concentrations with additional courses and programs through the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and throughout the university
Productions
Four fully-produced main-stage productions per year; including two operas and two musicals ranging from traditional to contemporary
New Works
Regular public new works workshops with composers and librettists/lyricists in residence, typically one new musical and one new opera per year
Student Labs
Organized process through in which students can perform, design, build, direct, choreograph, and more, plus submit their own project proposals, typically one musical and one opera per year, often in non-traditional venues
Guest Artists
Regular guest artists and residencies through collaborations with Phoenix Theatre, Arizona Opera, ASU Gammage and numerous Broadway National Tours; recent guests include Brent Barrett, Philip Glass, Leslie Odam Jr. (ASU West), Sherril Milnes, Meredith Monk, Frederica von Stade and more.
February 2019 - Cast of Aladdin holds classes for ASU students
Career Skills
Career/Audition training centering on professional business skills and week-long industry intensive in New York City in the final semester of study
Professional Partnerships
Formal educational partnerships with Phoenix Theatre and Arizona Opera in which students can earn college credit for performance and study/cover opportunities
Showcases
Music Theatre Showcases in New York City and Phoenix, including business and career immersion seminars and industry/alumni networking opportunities
Faculty
Nationally recognized faculty in voice, acting, music and dance, all active performers, and including faculty associates from the Phoenix Theatre and regular guest artists from Arizona Opera
Metropolitan Location
Our location in Phoenix, among the fastest growing cities in the United States, enables our students to meet, learn and perform with some of the most celebrated artists in the field
Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre Performance
Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre Performance
The undergraduate program is designed to hone all the skills necessary for the complete singing actor. Training includes private voice lessons, acting, dance, audition techniques, technical production, repertoire classes, scene study and performance. Students in this degree who wish to focus on opera may choose course options in the junior and senior years, with faculty approval, which prepare them for entrance into master's degree programs in opera performance.
Master of Music in Music Theatre Performance
Master of Music in Music Theatre Performance
A Master's student in Musical Theater receives ongoing practical training and performance experience to further hone performance skills for professional work as a musical theater singer/actor. In addition to studio voice instruction and advanced work in acting and performance techniques, students study repertoire from the traditional and contemporary musical theatre canon and are required to perform major roles in at least two music theatre and opera productions.
Master of Music in Opera Performance
Master of Music in Opera Performance
The Master of Music degree in opera is designed to prepare students for entry–level career opportunities in in the opera world including young artist training programs, doctoral programs, and other advanced study and emerging artist professional endeavors. In addition to studio voice instruction and advanced work in acting and performance techniques, students study standard and contemporary operatic repertoire and are required to perform major roles in at least two music theatre and opera productions.
Master of Music in Music Direction
Master of Music in Music Direction
This is an entry–level degree in conducting with an emphasis in music direction for theatre. The program is geared toward those with strong keyboard/piano skills who are eager to learn the skills necessary for a successful career as a musical director. This competitive program admits only one student per year and includes study of both opera and musical theater repertoire. Since 1991, the graduates of this program have had a remarkable record of success, whether working in the profession, in academia or in pursuing further conducting study. Learn more about the track.
Opera + Musical Theatre degrees
The BMus in performance with a concentration in music theatre is an intensive, performance-...
The BMus program in performance with a concentration in voice focuses on the study of vocal...
The minor program in music theatre allows students with a background, interest or passion in...
The MM degree program in voice, music theatre and opera performance provides intensive practical...