Musical Theatre CERTIFICATE

For millions and millions of people across the world, musical theatre is a gateway to another world, full of captivating performances and unforgettable characters. For you, it’s even more than that. Musical theatre is part of your world, and our certificate is a great way to incorporate it into your college experience.

In addition to our BFA in Theatre Performance (Musical Theatre Track), our certificate is an exceptional, condensed training for aspiring musical theatre artists. Immerse yourself in a dynamic program that nurtures your talent, refines your skills and prepares you for the stage. Our accomplished faculty, renowned guest artists and state-of-the-art facilities create an inspiring backdrop where you can explore your creativity and develop your singing, dancing and acting talents. With a comprehensive curriculum and supportive environment, you’ll develop a versatile skill set and gain the confidence to excel in the world of musical theatre. 

Program Type

Undergraduate Certificate

Program Format

On Campus

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The arts are for everyone

A minor or certificate in the arts provides a well-rounded education. That’s because the arts foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They enhance communication and presentation skills, which are valuable in any professional setting. Engaging in the arts also increases empathy and understanding of diverse people and perspectives. Plus, they bring a unique selling point to your resume by demonstrating a versatile skill set.

And let’s be honest: The arts are also a lot of fun, adding stress relief and variety to your college experience.

89%Executives agree that creativity is a top skill
91%Americans agree the arts are vital to education
73%Americans say the arts help them understand others
45Minutes of art making can reduce stress levels

Program Details

The undergraduate certificate in musical theatre is an interdisciplinary program that includes courses in music, dance and theatre. You’ll explore the role that dance plays in theatrical productions and choose from a variety of courses to gain advanced dance experience. You’ll study vocal technique, repertoire and style, perform in a choral ensemble, receive voice lessons and learn how to prepare for auditions. Plus, you’ll lay a foundation of acting techniques through exercises, improvisation and solo and ensemble performance in theatre classes. Along the way, you’ll choose additional courses to dig deeper into aspects of musical theatre that interest you.  

You’ll also have the chance to collaborate with other theatre artists, including working on productions. And you’ll do it all in a vibrant and diverse community of theatre artists and scholars who share your passion for the arts. 

View the Musical Theatre, Undergraduate Certificate requirements.

You may also be interested in our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre Performance, which offers a track in Musical Theatre, to take your passion and talents to the next level.

Performances

From backstage to center stage, front of house or in front of a classroom, our public performances are a vehicle for training students in every aspect of theatre. They are also a source of high-quality performing arts entertainment for our campus and community. Explore our upcoming performances or take a look at recent productions.

Internships & Opportunities

Students work and intern professionally with Milwaukee’s professional music organizations, theatre and dance companies, and film festivals, as well as leading art museums, galleries and creative agencies. See where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.

Student Organizations & Clubs

Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.

Study Abroad

We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.

Alumni Stories in Theatre

  • Theatre alum brings ghostly features to life in world premiere production 

    In Milwaukee’s recent World Premiere of The Forgotten Girl, production design is more important than ever. Viewers are immersed in the world of the main characters Iris and Daniel as they discover the abandoned grave of a girl in their grade and begin interacting with her ghost. Scenic designer Amaya …
  • UWM Grad Makes A Guest Appearance On Modern Family

    Brittani Ebert, who earned her bachelor’s degree in theater from UWM’s Peck School of the Arts in 2002, has a co-starring role in the Sept. 30 episode of ABC’s “Modern Family.” Ebert, who grew up in Sun Prairie, also has appeared on the popular series “Jane the Virgin” and “Criminal …

Careers in Theatre

  • Actor/Actress
  • Agent
  • Art Director
  • Artistic Director
  • Arts & Entertainment Writer
  • Arts Administration
  • Arts Council Director
  • Box Office Manager
  • Broadway Theatre/Tours
  • Business Consultant
  • Camp Director
  • Carpentry/Scenic Artistry
  • Casting Director
  • Choreographer
  • Comedian
  • Community Arts Organizer
  • Computer Drafter/Designer
  • Conflict Resolution Facilitator
  • Corporate Trainer
  • Costume Designer
  • Costume Director
  • Costume Shop Manager
  • Crafts Artisan
  • Creative Director
  • Cruise Line Performer
  • Curator
  • Development Director
  • Dialect Coach
  • Director
  • Drama Therapist
  • Dramaturgy
  • Draper/Cutter
  • Drapery Fabricator/Installer
  • Education Administrator
  • Electrician
  • Entertainer
  • Entertainment Designer/Manager
  • Events Manager
  • Event Coordinator
  • Gaffer
  • Grip
  • Hair and Makeup
  • Lawyer
  • Life Coach
  • Lighting Designer/Director
  • Makeup Designer/Artist
  • Managing Director
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Master Carpenter
  • Milliner
  • Model
  • Musical Theatre Artist
  • Office Administration
  • Outreach Coordinator
  • Playwright
  • Politician
  • Producer
  • Production Assistant
  • Production Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Projection Designer
  • Properties Director
  • Props Artisan
  • Rigging Installer
  • Scenery Designer
  • Scenic Artist/Painter
  • Screenwriter
  • Scriptwriter
  • Set Designer/Decorator
  • Singer
  • Social Worker
  • Sound Designer/Engineer
  • Sound Technician
  • Special Effects Artist
  • Stage Director/Manager
  • Stagehand
  • Staging Fabricator
  • Stunt Double
  • Tailor
  • Talent Agent/Director
  • Technical Director
  • Television/Radio Personality
  • Theatre Consultant
  • Theatre Critic
  • Theatre Education Teacher
  • Theatre Equipment Sales
  • Theatre Journalist/Blogger
  • Therapist
  • Trade Show Designer
  • University Administration
  • University Faculty
  • Visual Effects Director/Engineer
  • Vocal Coach
  • Voiceover Artist
  • Wardrobe Specialist
  • Wigmaker

Program Faculty

Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Theatre faculty and staff please follow the link below.


Aaron Agulay HEADSHOT
  • Assistant Professor, Voice
  • Area Head, Voice & Opera
Melissa Lynn Anderson Headshot
  • Lecturer, Dance
Angela Frederick Blahnik Headshot
  • Lecturer, Dance
  • Lecturer, UWM Sport & Recreation
Colleen Brooks Headshot
  • Teaching Faculty II, Voice & Opera Theatre
Daniel Burkholder HEADSHOT
  • Associate Professor, Dance
  • Chair, Department of Dance
Mair W Culbreth Headshot
  • Assistant Professor, Dance
  • Director, Pilates Certificate Program
Steve Decker Headshot
  • Associate Professor, College of General Studies/Affiliate Faculty Appointment in the PSOA Theatre Department
Maria Gillespie Headshot
  • Professor, Dance
  • Director, Dance Graduate Program
David Hoffman Headshot
  • Teaching Faculty II, Voice
  • Voice Liaison, Musical Theatre
Ralph Janes Headshot
  • Teaching Faculty III, Theatre Education & Directing
  • Director, K-12 Theatre Education
  • Outreach Coordinator, Theatre
Steven Koehler Headshot
  • Lecturer, On-Camera Acting, Theatre
Gina Laurenzi Headshot
  • Teaching Assistant, Dance
Raeleen McMillion Headshot
  • Teaching Faculty II, Voice, Speech and Dialects
Robin Mello Headshot
  • Professor, Theatre
  • Teaching Fellow, Lubar Entrepreneurship Center
Andy Miller Headshot
  • Teaching Faculty III, Dance
  • Music Director, Dance
Sheri Williams Pannell Headshot
  • Assistant Professor, Theatre
  • Area Head, Musical Theatre
Wendy Rowe Headshot
  • Lecturer, Voice
  • Director, Popular Music Ensemble
Dan Schuchart Headshot
  • Teaching Faculty III, Dance
  • Advisor, Dance Performance Minor
  • ACDA Coordinator
Dawn Springer Headshot
  • Teaching Faculty I, Dance
Jim Tasse Headshot
  • Teaching Faculty II, Acting
Christal Wagner Headshot
  • Lecturer, Dance
  • Outreach Coordinator, Dance
Bill Watson Headshot
  • Associate Professor, Acting
  • Co-Chair, Department of Theatre
  • Area Head, Acting
Vanessa Weber HEADSHOT
  • Lecturer, Voice