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Musical Theatre Performance

EIU Theatre offers a comprehensive education preparing students for diverse creative and professional paths. The Musical Theatre emphasis develops skills in singing, dancing and acting while integrating them for compelling storytelling. EIU’s student-centered production season provides hands-on experience in performance and production, including directing, choreography, design and stage management. At least one musical is produced each season, with guest artists adding professional perspectives.

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Musical Theatre Performance

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Degree Level
Bachelor of Arts
Delivery
In Person
Time to Degree
8 Semesters
Credit Hours
120 Total, 58 in Major
Careers
Choreographers, Producers, Directors, Dancers
Musical Theatre Performance students at EIU

Why Study Musical Theatre Performance at EIU?

  • Integrate acting, singing and dance through coordinated coursework focusing on becoming a triple threat
  • Auditions open to all students all semesters, with first-year and transfer students eligible for immediate consideration
  • Develop in vocal performance, musical theatre dance, musical theatre history and literature, music theory, and character-driven storytelling
  • Receive individualized guidance in small classes, rehearsals, and voice study
  • Gain production experience in an undergraduate-focused program with professionally experienced professors and guest directors in state-of-the-art performance spaces
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"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
Musical Theatre Performance | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, Musical Theatre Performance at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Audition for musicals and other departmental productions beginning in your first year
  • Connect acting, vocal and dance training through rehearsals, performance labs, and live productions
  • Study voice with Music faculty and apply music theory to the practical work of musical theatre
  • Collaborate with directors, choreographers, designers, musicians, stage managers and production crews
  • Complete a senior thesis project that reflects your artistic development and professional goals
Hands-On Experience, Musical Theatre Performance students at EIU

What You'll Learn

Musical Theatre Performance combines acting, singing and dance with a broad theatre foundation so you can become a triple threat. It is a fit if you love to sing, dance and act and want to integrate them in compelling storytelling.

View in Catalog
$72,835
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Choreographers
  • Producers & Directors
  • Dancers
  • Actors
  • Media Programming Directors
  • Talent Directors
  • Media Technical Directors/Managers
  • Music Directors & Composers
  • Musicians & Singers
  • Art, Drama, & Music Teachers,…

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)Job Zone 4: Considerable preparationMost of these careers require a four-year bachelor's degree. They also tend to build on several years of work-related experience or training.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit ArtisticArtistic interest typeYou like to create. This could mean visual art, performance, writing or music, or using design to shape objects and materials.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Connect With Us

Larry Cox
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Performance
lcox@eiu.edu
2354 Doudna Fine Arts Center
217-581-6003
Larry Cox Message Larry

Message Larry

or email lcox@eiu.edu directly
Nicholas Shaw
Head of Theatre Division/Professor
neshaw@eiu.edu
2084 Doudna Fine Arts Center
217-581-6003
Nicholas Shaw Message Nicholas

Message Nicholas

or email neshaw@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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