Integrating voice, acting, and dance, the Carthage Musical Theatre Program prepares collaborative artists for an ever-changing discipline. In addition to multiple performance opportunities, students are enrolled in several performance-based courses taught by musicaltheatre professionals who are actively working in New York, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
Majors
Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre
Bachelor of Arts in Music: Musical Theatre
Best School for Drama and Theater Arts in Wisconsin
The musical theatre curriculum at Carthage features comprehensive vocal training and musicianship, intense acting experiences, and a variety of dance technique and choreography classes.
New: Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre!
Carthage is one of only ten colleges in the country that offer a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre degree. The new program gives students a degree where they learn all aspects of musical theatre and train in an intensive curriculum in voice, acting, and dance. Coursework includes voice lessons, dance classes, and performance opportunities in multiple productions.
A Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre degree requires a more intensive study of music with classes in music theory, aural skills, choral ensembles, and piano. These music courses lead to a better understanding of music and a broader set of skills that leads to more self-sufficient performers. The more skills — the more marketable!
Performance Opportunities within the Musical Theatre Program
Students have many opportunities to perform while at Carthage. Beginning in their first year, students are able to audition for multiple productions, including musicals, plays, dance concerts, and Carthage Theatre’s New Play Initiative. Presentations of class work add to the opportunities MT students have to showcase their skills and readiness in the MT industry.
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/82,20,821,760/40988_dom.rev.1757347545.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/82,20,821,760/40988_dom.rev.1757347545.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/82,20,821,760/40988_dom.rev.1757347545.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/82,20,821,760/40988_dom.rev.1757347545.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/82,20,821,760/40988_dom.rev.1757347545.jpg" alt="Dom Luzwick '27" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/82,20,821,760/40988_dom.rev.1757347545.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/82,20,821,760/40988_dom.rev.1757347545.jpg 3x" data-max-w="739" data-max-h="740" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “When trying to make my college decision, I was tasked with finding a college that could push me to my fullest potential and one I could see myself calling home for four years. Carthage, by far, checked both those boxes.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2897-dom-luzwick">Dom Luzwick</a> ’27</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,409,409/40956_ellie_medina.rev.1757347545.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,409,409/40956_ellie_medina.rev.1757347545.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,409,409/40956_ellie_medina.rev.1757347545.jpg" alt="Ellie Medina '27" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,409,409/40956_ellie_medina.rev.1757347545.jpg 2x" data-max-w="409" data-max-h="409" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Performing at Carthage has been such a rewarding experience and has given me more knowledge of how a professional performing environment operates.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2890-ellie-medina">Ellie Medina</a> ’27</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2134/42176_Sarah_Beavers_28.rev.1757347546.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2134/42176_Sarah_Beavers_28.rev.1757347546.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2134/42176_Sarah_Beavers_28.rev.1757347546.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2134/42176_Sarah_Beavers_28.rev.1757347546.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2134/42176_Sarah_Beavers_28.rev.1757347546.jpg" alt="Sarah Beavers '28" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2134/42176_Sarah_Beavers_28.rev.1757347546.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2134/42176_Sarah_Beavers_28.rev.1757347546.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2131" data-max-h="2134" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “My performance experiences at Carthage have been incredible. The shows are run amazingly, and every single director is so fun to work with.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/3193-sarah-beavers">Sarah Beavers</a> ’28</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/403,473,1971,2041/42018_IMG_3538_2.rev.1757347545.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/403,473,1971,2041/42018_IMG_3538_2.rev.1757347545.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/403,473,1971,2041/42018_IMG_3538_2.rev.1757347545.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/403,473,1971,2041/42018_IMG_3538_2.rev.1757347545.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/403,473,1971,2041/42018_IMG_3538_2.rev.1757347545.jpg" alt="Annaliese Ruhs '26" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/403,473,1971,2041/42018_IMG_3538_2.rev.1757347545.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/403,473,1971,2041/42018_IMG_3538_2.rev.1757347545.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1568" data-max-h="1568" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Students are given so many opportunities to take charge of their own careers, meet with professionals, and build their resume.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/3104-annaliese-ruhs">Annaliese Ruhs</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/102,129,1045,1071/39390_student_voices_-_emma_faucault-miller.rev.1712676932.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/102,129,1045,1071/39390_student_voices_-_emma_faucault-miller.rev.1712676932.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/102,129,1045,1071/39390_student_voices_-_emma_faucault-miller.rev.1712676932.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/102,129,1045,1071/39390_student_voices_-_emma_faucault-miller.rev.1712676932.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/102,129,1045,1071/39390_student_voices_-_emma_faucault-miller.rev.1712676932.jpg" alt="Emma Faucault-Miller '27" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/102,129,1045,1071/39390_student_voices_-_emma_faucault-miller.rev.1712676932.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/102,129,1045,1071/39390_student_voices_-_emma_faucault-miller.rev.1712676932.jpg 3x" data-max-w="943" data-max-h="942" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “It was really important to me to choose a college where I could have a relationship with my professors, and at Carthage, I feel like I’ve built those relationships already.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2677-emma-faucault-miller">Emma Faucault-Miller</a> ’27</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1699911788.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1699911788.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1699911788.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1699911788.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1699911788.jpg" alt="Trevor Milne" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1699911788.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1699911788.jpg 3x" data-max-w="910" data-max-h="910" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Carthage is a college that provided me with a great education in multiple areas of study. While most other schools are known for either their music or STEM programs, Carthage has great programs for both.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2139-">Trevor Milne</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,1384,1460/41990_IMG_8231.rev.1757347545.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,1384,1460/41990_IMG_8231.rev.1757347545.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,1384,1460/41990_IMG_8231.rev.1757347545.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,1384,1460/41990_IMG_8231.rev.1757347545.JPG 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,1384,1460/41990_IMG_8231.rev.1757347545.JPG" alt="Lorelai Amborn '27" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,1384,1460/41990_IMG_8231.rev.1757347545.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,1384,1460/41990_IMG_8231.rev.1757347545.JPG 3x" data-max-w="1384" data-max-h="1384" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Carthage has 100 percent lived up to my high expectations and given me so many outlets to perform and watch my peers.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2663-lorelai-amborn">Lorelai Amborn</a> ’27</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
Courses You’ll Take as a musical theatre Student
This multidisciplinary program pulls courses from both the Music and Theatre departments:
Scholarships Available for musical theatre Students
Individual scholarships up to $10,000 may be offered to students pursuing the musical theatre major, along with academic scholarships for students demonstrating outstanding potential each year.
Guest Artists: Thanks to our campus location halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, students develop relationships with directors, casting agents, and fellow artists who provide invaluable learning and professional experience.
Study Abroad: Musical theatre students have performed in Ireland, Scotland, and China, with more opportunities on the horizon.
Student Organizations: Top students can join music honorary Lambda Kappa or national theatre honor society Alpha Psi Omega. For other performance avenues, some join an a cappella group or improv troupe Merely Players.
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