Musical Theatre | College of Fine Arts

Musical Theatre Concentration

Launching Fall 2027!

Building on the goal of strengthening the excellence of their undergraduate education, Boston University’s musical theatre concentration encourages students to re-imagine and create new future possibilities in the musical theatre genre.

The Musical Theatre concentration is a 7 course, 14-credit sequence of classes open to BU School of Theatre students in the BFA in Acting or BFA Theatre Arts Performance programs and BU School of Music students in the BM in Performance, Voice and the BA in Music programs.

Musical Theatre courses focus on rigorous training to prepare talented singing actors for a career that includes musical theatre performance. The concentration places emphasis on preparing students for non-dance roles and new work development in musical theatre to encourage students to become leaders in the field. Voice lessons are included in the concentration. The concentration does not include dance classes, but School of Theatre offers dance courses outside of the concentration.

Admission to the concentration will be at the discretion of the Musical Theatre faculty based upon an audition process. The admission process occurs after completion of the first course in the sequence and coincides with the student’s major selection. Students matriculating into BU School of Theatre in Fall 2026 are eligible to participate in the concentration by taking CFA TH109 in the Spring 2027 semester.

With acting being at the forefront of our BU education, I was able to explore Musical Theatre in a whole new light – focusing on intention and storytelling through song.

With musicals produced each year within BU School of Theatre, we have the chance to take what we learned in class into the rehearsal process. I was able to enter the rehearsal room with a deeper understanding of how to approach the material, and dive fully into a character’s story. Within this track, I was able to gain immense knowledge about musical theatre while also gaining trust in myself as a performer. With material handpicked for each of us in every unit, the track focuses on supporting each individual student on their unique paths as a musical theatre performer. Not only do we focus on the individual, but through duets and group work, we learn so much about collaboration in this field, too. Thanks to musical theatre at BU, I am entering post-grad feeling tremendously more confident and prepared to enter the musical theatre world.

-Ava Cronin (CFA’26)

FACULTY

Harry Castle

Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre

Meet the Program Head

Harry Castle is a British composer, lyricist, and music director. He works at the intersection of musical theatre, contemporary classical, pop, and jazz genres.

BU has a strong reputation for training actors of the highest caliber, and our students have always had a lot of musical talent. I’m excited that we are able to offer this new pathway as part of our BFA Performance programs that will ensure students leave school more equipped than ever for a career in musicals, plays, and on camera. Students can expect to receive training in voice, music theory, acting-through-song, audition techniques, and ensemble work, as well as the opportunity to reimagine lost masterpieces and give world and regional premieres.

By studying musical theatre, students expand their career path and graduate opportunities in the field. Courses range from an introduction and analysis of musical theatre, through basics, to audition preparation, and the creation of lab shows. Email theatre@bu.edu to learn more.