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Musical theatre students dance on stage in a dark theatre.

Become a Summer Trojan and earn college credit.

This summer, immerse yourself in music, movement and play in this musical theatre summer program. You’ll experience firsthand what it’s like to study musical theatre at USC with dedicated faculty whose professional experience spans Broadway, West End, television and film. Most importantly, you’ll build relationships, take risks and try new things in a conservatory-style acting troupe of like-minded students.

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Students will practice various styles and techniques essential to musical theatre storytelling in dance classes.

In acting and music classes, we’ll focus on the foundations of conveying emotion and portraying characters through song while practicing techniques that deepen our connection to the stories we want to tell.

Along the way, students will learn from theatre professionals in a collaborative, interactive environment, culminating with a workshop production attended by faculty, fellow students, friends and family.

A student pretends to answer the phone in a set at Sony Pictures Studios.

Topics of Study

  • Movement and dance
  • Voice lessons
  • Acting
  • Auditioning for universities

Learning Highlights

  • Understand how to interpret lyrics and utilize musical subtext in a performance
  • Exercise skills in collaboration as a cohesive ensemble 
  • Practice musical theatre vocal techniques like dynamics, vocal placement and support, and diction
  • Practice dance technique applicable to the musical theatre canon
  • Prepare sheet music for performances and auditions
  • Engage with musical theatre community and understand the impact it has on our culture

Requirements

  • Students must bring their own laptops
  • Each applicant must create an audition video to be considered for admission. You are encouraged to sing with accompaniment, but you may sing a cappella if accompaniment cannot be arranged. Videos should not be digitally edited or altered to change the sound of your voice in any way.
  • Your recording should include two 32-bar selections from the musical theatre canon that best showcase your voice and personality, as follows:
    • An up-tempo song
    • A ballad
  • Students must bring proper dance attire and dance shoes to the course
WeekFocusKey TopicsAssignments and Activities
1Song Analysis, Ensemble Singing and Dancing TechniquesMusical subtext; dance technique; listening exercises and song analysisLearn two ensemble numbers. Perform and practice individual solos. Field trip to Sony Pictures Studios.
2Strengthening Song Performance Techniques and Ensemble Singing and DancingGreat American Songbook; 32-bar formRehearsal of ensemble numbers. Great American Songbook performances. Field trip to Ahmanson Theatre.
3Strengthening Song Performance Techniques and Ensemble Singing and DancingGreat American Songbook interpretation; discussion of theatre field tripsRehearsal of ensemble numbers. Great American Songbook performances. Field trip to Pantages Theatre.
4Rehearsal for Showcase and Audition Techniques
Rehearsal techniques and etiquette; sheet music preparation for auditionsShowcase performance. Practice auditions. Field trip to Fred Kavli Rehearsal Hall.

I came from a place where the musical theatre industry is essentially non-existent, and so it was an amazing experience for me to meet more people who have the same interests as me, as well as improve my performing skills.

— USC Summer Programs student participant
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