Musical theatre

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Welcome to musical theatre at the 精品SM在线影片 College of Music!

Since 2019, the College of Music is proud to present a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre degree.

To train young singing artists who are pursuing a career in musical theatre, we offer an immersive four-year program of study in voice, acting and dance that ensures our students enter the professional theatre world with confidence. Our program is not only focused on theatre arts, but also includes development of core skills that today鈥檚 musical theatre artists need鈥攊ncluding theory, history and keyboard arts鈥攖o be successful and well-rounded singing actors and musicians.

A variety of classes are offered and taught in conjunction with the Department of Theatre & Dance, offering a unique opportunity to work with an array of professional theatre artists and professors. The collaborative spirit at the College of Music allows our musical theatre students to experience exposure to an array of music and performance opportunities in addition to productions produced by the musical theatre area: Multiple choral and instrumental ensembles, Eklund Opera Program productions, CU NOW productions, student recitals and scenes programs are all open to musical theatre students. Students are also eligible to audition for productions produced by the Department of Theatre & Dance.

Performance opportunities are abundant and innovative鈥攔ecently including 鈥淐hicago,鈥 鈥淭he Drowsy Chaperone鈥 and 鈥淯rinetown鈥濃攚ith productions in both fall and spring semesters.

Degree programs

精品SM在线影片 offers two musical theatre degrees: the Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre (BM/MT) through the College of Music, and the Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Musical Theatre (BFA/MT through the College of Arts and Sciences). These programs work closely together in course offerings and season productions; additionally, you may be considered for both degree programs at the same audition. 

Full description of the BM/MT degree program

Differences between BM/MT and BFA/MT degrees

Matthew Chellis

Matthew Chellis

Matthew Chellis is considered one of America鈥檚 most versatile singing actors.  He has appeared with opera companies, orchestras and theatre companies in North and South America and Europe. Chellis has sung over 20 principal roles with New York City Opera and sung with Washington National Opera, Frankfurt Opera, Atlanta Opera, Opera Bogata and Calgary Opera to name a few. Concert performances include numerous appearances at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and Boston Symphony Hall. Chellis has taught at New York University and Roosevelt University鈥檚 Chicago College of Performing Arts prior to his appointment at the 精品SM在线影片 College of Music. He is the founder and executive director of the Up North Vocal Institute鈥攁n intensive four week vocal training program located in northern Michigan. MORE
 

Justin Johnson

Justin Johnson

Justin Johnson is a full-time instructor and director supporting the musical theatre program at the 精品SM在线影片 College of Music. He has been involved in over 70 productions鈥攅ither as an actor, production manager or director. Some of his most recent directing gigs include 鈥淎venue Q,鈥 鈥淧oltergeist,鈥 鈥淯rinetown,鈥 鈥淭he ThreePenny Opera,鈥 鈥淢amma Mia!鈥 and 鈥淭he Drowsy Chaperone.鈥 His favorite performing credits include Patsy in 鈥淪pamalot,鈥 Paul in 鈥淏arefoot in the Park,鈥 Greg in 鈥淪ylvia,鈥 Wadsworth in 鈥淐lue,鈥 Lenny in 鈥淩umors,鈥 Selznick in 鈥淢oonlight and Magnolias鈥 and The Scarecrow in 鈥淭he Wizard of Oz.鈥 MORE

Robert Westenberg

Robert Westenberg

After a lengthy performing career that included work on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in regional theatres, national tours, television and film, Robert Westenberg is now concentrating on teaching, directing and playwriting.  

He is perhaps best remembered for his roles in the original Broadway casts of 鈥淚nto the Woods鈥 as the Wolf and Prince, for which he received a Tony nomination and Drama Desk Award, 鈥淪ecret Garden鈥 as Neville Craven and 鈥淪unday in the Park with George鈥 where he replaced Mandy Patinkin in the title role. He also performed the role of Javert in the Broadway production of 鈥淟es Miserables.鈥 Other Broadway credits include leading roles in 鈥1776,鈥 鈥淐ompany,鈥 鈥淎be Lincoln in Illinois,鈥 鈥淎 Christmas Carol鈥 and 鈥淶orba鈥 for which he received a Theatre World Award. MORE
 

Upcoming voice + opera + musical theatre events

Join the 精品SM在线影片 musical theatre program!鈥

Contact

Matthew Chellis
Associate Professor of Voice
matthew.chellis@colorado.edu
303-492-7023
, E252