Music Theatre • Carthage College

At A Glance

Integrating voice, acting, and dance, the Carthage Music 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 music theatre professionals who are actively working in New York, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

Majors & Minors Offered

B.A. in Music: Music Theatre
Minor in Music Theatre

View Requirements

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The music theatre curriculum at Carthage features comprehensive vocal training and musicianship, intense acting experiences, and a variety of dance technique and choreography classes.

Performance Opportunities

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.

Read more about performance opportunities

<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/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,330,420/33089_Hannah_Czaplicki_23.rev.1644342797.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/png" srcset="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,330,420/33089_Hannah_Czaplicki_23.rev.1644342797.png 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,330,420/33089_Hannah_Czaplicki_23.rev.1644342797.png" alt="Hannah Czaplicki ?23" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="330" data-max-h="420" loading="lazy"/> </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> “I’ve had an opportunity to perform every semester I’ve been at Carthage — be it singing in choir, acting in a scene directed by a classmate, or performing in a full-blown musical. Each performance opportunity adds a new layer to who I am as an artist and gives me a new challenge to conquer.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1514-hannah-czaplicki">Hannah Czaplicki</a> ’23</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/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,300,376/414_Caitlin_Preuss_23.rev.1645636279.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,300,376/414_Caitlin_Preuss_23.rev.1645636279.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,76,300,376/414_Caitlin_Preuss_23.rev.1645636279.jpg" alt="" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="300" data-max-h="300" loading="lazy"/> </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 biggest piece of advice is to try everything! The minute you dive in head first, you will have more opportunities than you know what to do with.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/510-caitlin-preuss">Caitlin Preuss</a> ’23</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/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,638,637/851_Headshot.rev.1638389806.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,638,637/851_Headshot.rev.1638389806.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,638,637/851_Headshot.rev.1638389806.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,638,637/851_Headshot.rev.1638389806.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,638,637/851_Headshot.rev.1638389806.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,638,637/851_Headshot.rev.1638389806.jpg" alt="Lane Breimhorst ?23" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,638,637/851_Headshot.rev.1638389806.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,638,637/851_Headshot.rev.1638389806.jpg 3x" data-max-w="638" data-max-h="637" loading="lazy"/> </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> “Music theatre has always been my passion, and thanks to the professors and students here, I have only grown to love it more.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1212-lane-breimhorst">Lane Breimhorst</a> ’23</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/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,400,400/36441_Elizabeth-Neybert-25.rev.1669746281.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,400,400/36441_Elizabeth-Neybert-25.rev.1669746281.webp 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,400,400/36441_Elizabeth-Neybert-25.rev.1669746281.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,400,400/36441_Elizabeth-Neybert-25.rev.1669746281.jpg" alt="Elizabeth Neybert ?25" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,400,400/36441_Elizabeth-Neybert-25.rev.1669746281.jpg 2x" data-max-w="400" data-max-h="400" loading="lazy"/> </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 advisors and professors have encouraged me to take risks and take advantage of opportunities that are presented to me. They have helped me grow as a student and as an artist.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2197-elizabeth-neybert">Elizabeth Neybert</a> ’25</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/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,268,2133,2400/36428_22_Kelsey_Spofford-47.rev.1669651074.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,268,2133,2400/36428_22_Kelsey_Spofford-47.rev.1669651074.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,268,2133,2400/36428_22_Kelsey_Spofford-47.rev.1669651074.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,268,2133,2400/36428_22_Kelsey_Spofford-47.rev.1669651074.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,268,2133,2400/36428_22_Kelsey_Spofford-47.rev.1669651074.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,268,2133,2400/36428_22_Kelsey_Spofford-47.rev.1669651074.jpg" alt="Kelsey Spofford" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,268,2133,2400/36428_22_Kelsey_Spofford-47.rev.1669651074.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,268,2133,2400/36428_22_Kelsey_Spofford-47.rev.1669651074.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2133" data-max-h="2132" loading="lazy"/> </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> “I have been able to explore my individuality through academics as well as develop lifelong friendships. Being at Carthage has given me opportunities like no other.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2166-">Kelsey Spofford</a> ’25</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/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1667436130.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1667436130.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1667436130.webp 3x"/> <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.1667436130.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1667436130.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1667436130.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.1667436130.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/46/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,59,910,969/36227_4641_163701665847155.rev.1667436130.jpg 3x" data-max-w="910" data-max-h="910" loading="lazy"/> </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/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg" alt="Nicky Caldwell ?23" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/89/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1440,1440/33088_Nicky_Caldwell_23.rev.1644338353.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1440" data-max-h="1440" loading="lazy"/> </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 great place to come for the arts. The programs are spectacular, and the faculty are wonderful. Most importantly, though, the community has your back. They want you to succeed. It’s truly a wonderful environment.</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1513-nicky-caldwell">Nicky Caldwell</a> ’23</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/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/511,0,1763,1253/36446_4893_163701665847155.rev.1669861223.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/511,0,1763,1253/36446_4893_163701665847155.rev.1669861223.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/511,0,1763,1253/36446_4893_163701665847155.rev.1669861223.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/511,0,1763,1253/36446_4893_163701665847155.rev.1669861223.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/511,0,1763,1253/36446_4893_163701665847155.rev.1669861223.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/511,0,1763,1253/36446_4893_163701665847155.rev.1669861223.jpg" alt="Katherine Taylor Retek" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/511,0,1763,1253/36446_4893_163701665847155.rev.1669861223.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/511,0,1763,1253/36446_4893_163701665847155.rev.1669861223.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1252" data-max-h="1253" loading="lazy"/> </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> “Getting the chance to perform here at Carthage is a rewarding experience. Not only for yourself but for those who take the time to come and support the show. Every time you perform a story, you act in a way that conveys you. Everyone should be able to have the chance to perform once in their lifetime because you may never know how it might change your individuality once you do try.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2213-">Katherine Taylor Retek</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>

Courses You’ll Take

This multidisciplinary program pulls courses from both the Music and Theatre departments:

Private Voice Lessons (4 years)
Dance (4 years)
Music Theatre History
Multiple Music Theatre Techniques courses
Acting I, II
Play Reading and Analysis
Stagecraft
Costumes and Makeup

See degree Requirements

Read Course Descriptions

Alumni Successes

Our alumni can be seen across the country at venues like these:

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Steppenwolf Theatre (Chicago)
Goodman Theatre (Chicago)
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
The Marriott Theatre (Lincolnshire, Illinois)
Six Flags
Music Theatre Works
Universal Studios Beijing

Some students continue their education, pursuing graduate degrees in teaching, directing, drama, vocal performance, or opera. Learn more about Carthage’s Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy

Scholarships Available

Individual scholarships up to $10,000 may be offered to students pursuing the Music Theatre major, along with academic scholarships for students demonstrating outstanding potential each year.

2022-2023 Scholarship Audition Dates:

Nov. 19, 2022
Feb. 18, 2023
Feb. 25, 2023

See audition and scholarship requirements

Beyond the classroom

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: Music 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.