Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre

Admissions & Aid College of Arts & Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre

What Will I Learn in the Musical Theatre Major?

The bachelor of arts (BA) in musical theatre degree program at University of Portland (UP) is a diverse curriculum that will allow you to hone your skills as a collaborative artist through training in acting, dance, voice, theatre production, performance and audition techniques, musical theatre history and analysis, technical theatre, music theory, and piano skills. You’ll develop  a structured program that includes one-on-one mentorship designed to form your own unique voice as a creative artist prepared to succeed in the professional arena. And because it’s a BA, you’ll build essential musical theatre skills while also engaging with the full breadth and flexibility of UP’s holistic liberal arts education.

Musical Theatre Courses

Accredited by both the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the National Association of Schools of Theatre, UP offers a diverse breadth of classes that will develop you as an artist and performer. With classes in dance, music, and theatre, as well as opportunities to participate in our mainstage and student-directed productions, you’ll work alongside industry experts and our award-winning faculty to chart your course. No matter your interest, we ensure you’re supported with relevant coursework and real-world experience, including internships with Portland’s 200+ arts organizations.

University Core

With over 40 credit hours of interdisciplinary coursework, UP’s Core Curriculum ensures you develop a breadth of knowledge while deepening your skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication—essentials to ensure you thrive, personally and professionally.

The Core

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More than a Degree

A University of Portland education goes beyond the classroom, giving you the skills and experience you’ll need for long-term personal and professional success.

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Scholarship Opportunities

Program scholarships are available to new and transfer students through audition and interview. Scholarships are awarded to declared musical theatre majors and maintained through ongoing participation in the musical theatre program and yearly updated applications. Please contact the Musical Theatre Program Director to set up an audition or interview.

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A City for Artists

Home to over 200 arts organizations and nationally-recognized theatre companies, Portland is among the most vibrant arts communities in the country and the perfect place to hone your craft. And with the mentorship of our award-winning faculty and visiting artists, you’ll gain world-class training and make valuable connections that will set the stage for future success in any performing arts career you choose.

Holy Cross Tradition

A dedication to connection, empathy, and making a positive impact underscores University of Portland’s musical theatre program. Grounded in our Holy Cross identity, we’re committed to providing a holistic education where technical skill is awakened by a palpable desire to do good with your knowledge.

The UP Difference

A UP education is the next step to your big break.

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+

Arts Organizations in Portland

:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

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%

Of Students Receive Financial Aid

Careers & Outcomes

A degree in musical theatre provides the training and experience for you to pursue a career in the arts or graduate studies.

Jobs

With a Musical Theatre BA, you could pursue careers in fields like:

  • Performance
  • Directing
  • Education
  • Production Design
  • Composition/Scoring
  • Playwriting
  • Screenwriting

Graduate Studies

Your bachelor’s degree in musical theatre can prepare you to take your academic opportunities a step further. Many musical theatre students pursue graduate degrees in theatre, directing, playwriting, or music, or earn advanced degrees in related areas like arts administration, education, or creative writing.

Alumni Employers

Although musical theatre is a new major, our theatre program alumni find success across the entertainment industry and beyond at organizations such as:

  • Honolulu Theatre for Youth
  • Laika Films
  • Portland Opera
  • Portland Regional Arts Council
  • Shaking the Tree Theatre

Related Degrees

A music student stands on stage playing their violin while their smiling professor accompanies them on a piano at the University of Portland.

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Theater students on stage during a scene from the UP performance of "These Shining Lives."

BA in Theatre

A linear perspective view of the art gallery hallway in the Shiley Marcos Center for Design and Innovation at the University of Portland, with framed paintings extending down the length of the wall.

BS in Arts Administration

Ready for the Spotlight?

University of Portland’s bachelor of arts in musical theatre degree program provides the training, mentorship, and hands-on opportunities necessary to make your mark in the arts community. Take the next step to pursuing your dreams today!

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