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Two students in historical costumes on a stage with a professor directing them.

Musical Theatre Performance

The Musical Theatre Performance program at McDaniel College provides a comprehensive study of musical theatre. Within a community of artists, you'll study music and choreography on stage, take vocal lessons, and have opportunities to direct, perform in, and witness musical theatre at its best. 

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Degree Types
Minor
Institution
Complementary Programs
Theatre Arts
Acting
Document
Special Opportunities
Theatre and Ensemble Performances

Why McDaniel for Musical Theatre Performance?

Among the close-knit community at McDaniel College, you'll be in the perfect setting to develop confidence in your performance skills. Alongside your fellow performers, you'll take rigorous theatre and music classes on topics like singing on stage, musical theatre dance styles, and acting.

A college degree in Musical Theatre Performance will help you explore your passion for theatre and music, while also answering the questions: What is musical theatre performance? What does it take to specialize in it?

In addition to our on-campus theatre and local Maryland theatre and art scene, McDaniel is nearby to metropolitan performances in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. So while you're learning about musicals, dramas, tragedies and comedies, you'll have opportunities to perform, intern, and watch professional theatre.

Theatre Arts class with Professor Elizabeth van den Berg

Special Opportunities

The full cast of Heathers The Musical. They are in vivid colored clothing with sad expressions.

Step into the Limelight Campus Theatre Performances

Every year, student performers step on stage to showcase their singing, dancing, and acting. Interested in learning what goes into offstage production? You can become a student director or join the stage crew to play every role in the theatre.

Pictured: "Heathers the Musical" 2023 cast.

McDaniel College gospel choir performs in concert.

Join an Ensemble Sing Your Heart Out

The Music Department supports a variety of student and faculty ensembles that welcome singers and instrumentalists. You can even join a course to learn how to sing or play.

  • African Drum Ensembles
  • College Band
  • College Chorus
  • Flute Choir
  • G4 Saxophone Quartet
  • Gospel Choir
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Westminster Symphony Orchestra
  • And more!
Students in Cinema studio

Broadcasting and the Big Screen Radio and Cinema

McDaniel has it's very own student TV (McD-TV) and radio station (MGTRadio), with on-campus studio space, so you can learn how to film, edit, and produce high-quality content for a wide audience. 

Distinctive Courses

MUE 1104 - Learning Lab: Singing on Stage Ensemble

An opera and musical theatre performance class. Performances of scenes from the opera repertory and the American musical theatre are partially staged; at least one public performance is given.

THE 1102 - Musical Theatre Dance Styles

Students will receive instruction in the skills required for various kinds of Musical Theatre Dance such as tap, jazz, modern and ballet.
 

THE 2234 - Acting II: Voice and Movement

An introduction and exploration of the range of techniques used in developing the potential of the actor’s voice and body. Exercises will emphasize vocal production, articulation, posture, and breathing. physical articulation, and disciplines of movement helpful to the actor. These exercises will be applied through work on texts and other forms of performance.

MUS 1006 - Applied Music Study I – Voice

Private music instruction for students with basic skills in music reading and technical abilities. All students taking private lessons for the first time will be placed in this level. This level is appropriate for beginning to low intermediate students. 

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McDaniel Commitment in Action

The McDaniel Commitment — a series of opportunities guaranteed to all students — provides enhanced mentoring and coaching, and ensures every undergraduate student completes at least two meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

Students presenting for Innovation Challenge.

Research

Students exploring Budapest.

Study Abroad

Maryland Ensemble Theatre, Gene and Alex Closeup.

Internships

Britt and Lauren Burr

Meet an Alum Theatre Arts Innovation

Majoring in Psychology and Theatre Arts may be an unexpected combo, but Britt Burr ’11 knew she could make it work after taking a course in Drama Therapy. Inspired to then earn her master's degree in Drama Therapy, Burr later founded the nonprofit Barrier-Free, which provides inclusive art, life, and social skills for adults with disabilities in Carroll County, Maryland. Today, McDaniel students can work with Barrier Free through the organization's Inclusive Theatre Internship.

Related Programs

Theatre Arts Acting Art Cinema
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Keep in Touch

Tell us a little about yourself and we'll share updates & information. (We'll also make sure you don't miss any important deadlines.)

Keep in Touch
mapsearch Created with Sketch.

See Yourself Here

Take your first steps on the Hill! Visiting campus is one of the best ways to determine if McDaniel is right for you.

Visit McDaniel
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2 College Hill
Westminster, MD, 21157
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