This certificate program in Commercial Theater Development provides early and mid-career performing arts professionals with the opportunity to gain advanced training in the development and production of commercial performing arts productions. Classes are taught by leading practitioners from the Broadway theater and performing arts communities and include site visits in New York City and interactions with leading figures in the commercial art world. Students in the Commercial Theater Development graduate certificate program will gain skills in managing commercial arts venues, securing and developing commercial productions, engaging with new technologies and innovative partnerships, and programming performing arts productions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A six-course Advanced Graduate Certificate in Commercial Theater Development<\/a> is also available and includes a semester-long internship opportunity on Broadway that must be completed onsite. Students enrolled in the certificate have access to all the resources of the department and the University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Graduate Certificate in Commercial Theater Development is also available on campus in Boston. Learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A total of 16 units is required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information about the six-course certificate with Broadway internship, please see the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Commercial Theater Development<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n (Four courses\/16 units)<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n View BU MET\u2019s academic calendar for online programs, including important dates and deadlines.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Commercial Theater Development Partnership\n<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Focusing on the Broadway industry, the Commercial Theater Development Graduate Certificate is offered in partnership with Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment. The four-course certificate is available online. The six-course program includes an internship opportunity in the commercial performing arts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Commercial Theater Development will be able to demonstrate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEmployment of producers and directors is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, with demand expected to grow faster than average.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n $132,810<\/strong> Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \u201cAbout 12,800 openings for producers and directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cI have started working at the Broadway Education Alliance, helmed by Susan Lee, who teaches Current Trends in the Performing Arts Industry (MET AR 753). While it isn\u2019t a permanent placement, it has allowed me to directly engage the skills I learned in the program in the larger arts community. It\u2019s given me a title that makes me more marketable and has put me in the room with several industry leaders in the business I want to transition into!\u201d Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Evan Alexander LaChance (MET\u201923)<\/strong> BU MET\u2019s Commercial Theater Development Graduate Certificate prepares you for a wealth of different roles such as producer, theater manager, production coordinator, marketing and public relations specialist, managing director, business operations & partnerships, operations & production manager, audience services manager, event coordinator, account manager, production specialist, stage manager, general manager, agency business administrator, and line producer, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths at companies such as:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCurriculum<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Courses<\/h3>
Dates & Deadlines<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Application Requirements<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"\/online\/files\/2026\/01\/WangTheatre_Tour_0291-1024x576-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow You Benefit from a
Boston University Education<\/h2>\n\n\n\nPartnerships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Nederlander](\"\/online\/files\/2026\/01\/Nederlander.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nGraduate with Commercial Theater Development Expertise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Career Outlook<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Mean annual wage for agents and business managers of artists, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Evan](\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/files\/2024\/09\/Evan-Alexander-LaChance-Headshot.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
General Manager, Broadway Education Alliance Inc.<\/strong>
MS, Arts Administration; Graduate Certificate, Commercial Theater Development<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAdvance Your Career<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Arts Administration Faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/files\/2020\/09\/Doug-Denatale-nw.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/files\/2020\/09\/Lauren-ONeal-nw.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n