Overview

The undergraduate certificate in musical theatre is an interdisciplinary program that includes courses in music, dance and theatre. You’ll explore the role that dance plays in theatrical productions and choose from a variety of courses to gain more dance experience. You’ll study vocal technique, repertoire and style, perform in a choral ensemble, receive voice lessons and learn how to prepare for auditions. Additionally, you’ll gain a foundation of acting techniques through exercises, improvisation and solo and ensemble performance in theatre classes. Along the way, you’ll choose additional courses to dig deeper into aspects of musical theatre that interest you.  

You’ll also have the chance to collaborate with other theatre artists, including working on productions, and you’ll do it all in a vibrant and diverse community of theatre artists and scholars who share your passion for the performing arts. 

Faculty and Staff

Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.

Minors and Certificates

Peck School of the Arts minors and certificates are open to all students who have already earned or are currently seeking a bachelor’s degree. Most certificates are also open to those not pursuing a degree (non-degree students). 

To be admitted individuals must meet general University admission requirements. To determine aid eligibility, please review all financial aid requirements.  

Contact us to get started and one of our Peck School of the Arts advisors will connect with you about your interests and opportunities.

Undergraduate Advising

Academic advising is a collaborative process that empowers students to realize their maximum educational potential. Students are encouraged to visit the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page to meet with your advisor prior to each semester’s registration period. Advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist with degree requirements, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and more.

Credits and Courses

The Musical Theatre Certificate is an interdisciplinary program which requires training in three areas of the arts: acting, dance, and music. The requirements are as follows:

DANCE (6 credits)
DANCE 327Dance for the Musical Theatre I2
Choose 1 of the following:2
Ballet I
Modern Dance Technique I
Choose 1 of the following not previously taken:2
Ballet I
Modern Dance Technique I
Jazz Dance I
African Dance & Diaspora Technique I
Dance for the Musical Theatre II
MUSIC (7 credits)
Choose 1 Choral Ensemble1
MUSPERF 111Lessons in Voice1
MUSPERF 111Lessons in Voice1
MUSIC 142Class Voice for Musical Theater Level I2
MUSIC 143Class Voice for Music Theatre Level II2
THEATRE (9 credits)
THEATRE 110Fundamentals of the Actor's Process3
Choose 1 of the following:3
Introduction to the Theatre
Multicultural America:
THEATRE 408Acting in Musical Theatre3
Total Credits22