Skills You Learn from Studying Musical Theatre in College
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Do you love musical theatre? Musical theatre can be a profound experience of collaboration, storytelling and artistic expression. It brings audiences on unique emotional journeys and, for those putting on the shows, musical theatre becomes a truly unforgettable experience of community.
But what can you do with a musical theatre degree? Lots. Studies in musical theatre allow you to explore your passions while developing skills that you can use both inside and outside the theatre. In fact, pursuing a musical theatre degree at a liberal arts university can prepare you for a variety of professional pathways.
At Pacific University, you can earn a musical theatre minor, gaining skills in every aspect of musical theatre while pursuing a major in theatre, dance, music or a completely different field. Musical theatre students at Pacific juggle performances with homework, classes, orchestra, spirit squad and many other activities and studies. Pacific’s musical theatre program is taught by expert faculty and also brings in guest artists to work with students.
Gain Transferable Skills from Musical Theatre Studies
Studies in musical theatre require hard work and creativity. Musical theatre students gain experience in dance, singing, acting, design and technology. They must show determination as they gain experience and continue to perform even when faced with challenges or failures. The experience of musical theatre prepares students for careers in the arts and beyond, helping them to refine transferable skills valued by employers across fields and disciplines.
Organization and Time Management: Fitting in classes, rehearsals and individual practice alongside other university and life commitments takes a great degree of organization and time management. Particularly during rehearsals for a musical, musical theatre students must learn to manage their time efficiently, which will help them throughout their lives and careers.
Adaptability: Musical theatre students must be adaptable. The ability to improvise in the midst of a show, changing course in the event of mishaps like forgotten lines or missed lighting cues, is essential.
Collaboration: Musical theatre is all about teamwork. As an ensemble, musical theatre students learn to work together, harmonizing different points of view and helping each member to shine. This helps to prepare students for collaborations in their future careers. Many participants talk about the way the production rehearsal and performance process can bring people together in ways that feel like a family, creating friendships that last far beyond the last lighting cue.
Resilience: In musical theatre, students have to audition and apply for the roles they want. And they don’t always get them. Those who succeed in musical theatre studies are those who continue to pursue their goals and passions, honing their skills and gaining more experience, even when it doesn’t work out the first time. Musical theatre students learn to be resilient in the face of rejection and perceived failure, continuing to try even when they don’t succeed the first time.
Public Speaking and Performance: Musical theatre students, particularly those who perform on stage, become adept at engaging an audience, learning how to calm their own nerves and bring audience members on emotional journeys. These skills translate to situations where you have to be in front of people, from giving presentations to teaching.
What Can You Do with a Musical Theatre Degree?
Students with a musical theatre degree go on to pursue a variety of careers. Some will enter the theatre field, becoming professional actors, costumers, stage managers or lighting technicians. Others might pursue further careers in performance or the arts or may become arts administrators. For example, Pacific alumni have gone on to work on popular films and professional opera.
Graduates can also continue their love of musical theatre in community theatre while pursuing careers in other fields. They may start their own businesses, work at nonprofits or corporations, become educators or work in science labs. Pacific university graduates have gone on to work as graphic designers for theatre companies, teaching children circus skills and so much more.
At Pacific University, the musical theatre minor allows students to pursue a major in an entirely different field so they can prepare for careers in environmental science, computer science, education, creative writing, public health and more while continuing their passion in musical theatre. Studying musical theatre in the context of a strong liberal arts education sets students up for long lasting and purposeful careers.
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