What you'll learn studying Musical Theatre at UW-Platteville
Explore the topics of theatre, stagecraft, acting, musicals, and more, with a minor in musical theatre. This minor, offered through the UW-Platteville Department of Performing and Visual Arts, is widely taken by education majors, and open to anyone with an interest in musical theatre. Additionally, many UW-Platteville students choose to enroll in a musical theatre course (or several courses) to enhance their college experience while meeting general education requirements. Students pursuing degrees in English, business, engineering, education, communications technology, or music also often find that musical theatre makes an excellent minor. For education majors who plan to teach after graduation, UW-Platteville also offers Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction certification as a theatre specialist.
At UW-Platteville, we present an ambitious six-production season each year. As a student interested in musical theatre college coursework, you will have multiple opportunities to become part of the cast or crew. The Musical Theatre program will introduce you to a variety of practical theatre topics and help you hone diverse skills. Musical theatre class requirements and elective options include instruction in dramatic literature, history, critical theory, design, styles, movement, stagecraft, stage management, directing, and, of course, voice and acting.
Ultimately, the skills gained in the musical theatre degree program can help prepare you for career success in almost any field. Musical theatre will allow you to become more confident, innovative, and creative as you learn invaluable skills from the stage. You will also find that your courses and participation in productions help you to think more independently while enhancing your theatrical prowess.
Careers in Musical Theatre
Musical theatre students often choose to go into careers in theatre, but some opt instead to pursue graduate degrees. Of course, studying musical theatre does not require graduates to work in traditional theatrical settings. In fact, the degree can prepare graduates for a variety of professional roles.
Some of the careers UW-Platteville musical theatre students have pursued include:
- Acting coach
- Actor
- Agent
- Assistant director
- Broadcaster
- Casting manager
- Choreographer
- Community arts coordinator
- Costume designer
- Creative director
- Dance instructor
- Drama therapist
- Lighting technician
- Makeup artist
- Musician
- Producer
- Prop design/set construction manager
- Stagehand
- Talent manager
- Teacher
- Theatre director
- Theatre facilities manager
- Theatre librarian
- Theatrical event manager
While many of these roles work primarily in theatre or other performing arts settings, others spend the majority of their time in business offices or classrooms. Many careers in musical theatre are in private industry. It is also possible to find enriching roles promoting performance art through state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and cultural institutions.
Discover by doing
Musical theatre students at UW-Platteville learn inside the classroom, on the theatre stage, as well as through other experiential opportunities including research, internships, and university events.
