Musical Theater Major

The musical theater major trains the next generation through a comprehensive four-year curriculum integrating the triple-threat talents of acting, voice, and dance. The curriculum teaches students multiple musical, dance, and acting styles, ensuring they become versatile performers ready for the challenges of the stage. With mastery at the core, students strengthen their onstage presence by auditioning for roles each year with our three full-scale productions in our modern performing art center at NESA.

Students gain inside knowledge by working with professional directors, choreographers, actors, singers, and dancers with various masterclasses throughout each performance. With this individualized instruction focused on career preparation, NESA musical theater students gain expertise that allows for acceptance into acclaimed theater programs and professional careers on stages for major television networks, major motion pictures, streaming services, and Broadway.

Educational Areas of Instrumental Music

Acting: Students explore the world of acting with a focus on ensemble work, relaxation, improvisation, connection, and stage makeup. They study acting techniques from different eras, including the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, and analyze the evolving styles of acting over time. The curriculum includes script analysis, monologue preparation, and scene work.

Voice: Students develop their vocals by learning how the voice works and how to create a wide range of vocal sounds to cover various singing genres. They master the art of sight-reading and key signatures while also learning to express emotion through song. As they progress, they receive semi-private vocal instruction, participate in class performances, and deepen their understanding of musical theater, music theory, performance and auditioning skills, and song interpretation.

Dance: Students develop their dance skills with a focus on various styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, and theater dance. They engage in daily technique work, progressions, turns, and leaps, developing rhythmical accuracy, stage presence, and style. The dance courses are designed to prepare students for musical theater auditions and performances.

Advanced Studies: As students advance through the program, they learn about specific areas, including Stanislavski-based realism, Shakespeare/Verse, modern plays, and on-camera film acting. Specialized courses in auditioning and acting for film and TV are available for seniors looking to pursue college BFA training programs.

Performances: Throughout their journey, students have the chance to showcase their talent in a variety of productions, including mainstage, black box, and student productions. These performances provide invaluable hands-on experience and a chance to shine on stage.

Career Paths in Instrumental Music

Graduating from NESA as a Musical Theater Major leads to a variety of exciting careers, including:

Professional Actor: Takes the stage in musicals, plays, and productions around the world.
Singer: Shares vocal talents through solo performances or as part of a choir or ensemble.
Dancer: Dazzles audiences with dance skills, whether in ballet, tap, jazz, or theater dance.
Choreographer: Creates captivating dance routines and choreography for productions.
Director: Leads the artistic vision of theatrical performances as a director.
Theater Educator: Inspires and guides the next generation of performers as a theater teacher or professor.

Student Showcase