Bachelor of Fine Arts - Music Theatre
Why Choose a Bachelor of Fine Arts – Music Theatre?
Build a career at the intersection of performance, leadership, and storytelling. Rooted in accessibility and inclusivity, the 4-year Honours Degree, Bachelor of Fine Arts - Music Theatre, sets itself apart by requiring no audition to apply.
Here, you'll shape how stories are told through vocal performance, acting, movement, and technical production. Drawing on a diverse array of expressive traditions you’ll learn to perform and design work that reflects a deep understanding of our interconnected world.
Banner photo: Into the Woods at the University of Guelph, photographed by Joshua Lonuzzo
What is the Bachelor of Fine Arts – Music Theatre?
Through hands-on practice, you will learn to articulate emotion, meaning, and structure through written, oral, aural, and physical channels. By learning how to communicate and lead in real-time, high-pressure scenarios, you will develop a versatile toolkit that will serve you in any professional environment.
Starting with foundational ensemble roles and technical fundamentals, you’ll progress into performing, choreographing, designing, marketing, and co-leading aspects of yearly mainstage productions. By grounding your creative process in research, you will step into the role of a professional practitioner, shaping productions, mentoring peers, and leading creative decision making.
Art Brings People Together
According to the Ontario Arts Council, nearly 90% of Ontarians agree that arts experiences unite diverse communities and build a shared sense of identity (OAC 2).
In Guelph, a city known for its vibrant arts and culture scenes, our program puts those values directly into practice and mirrors the foundational values of The University of Guelph and the College of Arts as a whole. Our curriculum meets you exactly where you are, fostering a supportive, student-centered environment where you can take ownership of your artistic career.
Benefits of having a Bachelor's of Fine Arts - Music Theatre
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Starting your first day, you will enjoy priority access to specialized music theatre training studios located within the newly renovated, $25-million Arts Research Centre (ARC). Together with historic Massey Hall and War Memorial Hall, these facilities offer creative spaces, including a Black Box Theatre, the Isobel (Timmy) Laidlaw Theatre Design Studio, and a 137-seat auditorium.
Perform With a Live Band
We are the only music theatre program in the country where students perform with a live, full student orchestra. By learning to lead and adapt to live musicians on stage, you’ll master the dynamic collaboration demanded by professional environments.
Gain Practical Experience
From your very first year, you’ll gain hands-on experience in every aspect of performance and production, collaborative skills you can take straight into the real world. You’ll also take part in our annual musical, with recent productions including Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods and Mean Girls.
Academic Calendar
To graduate from the program, a student must:
- Earn 20.00 credits. These must include 15.00 credits of required courses and 5.00 credits of electives (2.00 credits technical/professional electives, 1.50 credits restricted electives and 1.50 credits free electives).
- Fulfill the course and credit requirements with a cumulative average of 60% in all courses.
Academic Advising: In-course students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre Practices will be supported by the Bachelor of Arts Advising Office who are well equipped to provide guidance and discuss resources available to students.
Our Facilities
Arts Research Centre
This state-of-the-art performing arts facility represents a $25 million renovation, located in the MacKinnon Building.
As a Music Theatre student, many of your classes, rehearsals, productions, and performances will take place in this building.
See What Students Are Creating Right Now
Want to see what your future at Guelph could look like? Our performances are live public events where current students showcase their craft in mainstage productions, recitals, and showcases. Watching a show is the best way to get an insider’s view of our creative community and see the work you’ll be doing here.
Explore upcoming student showcases and reserve your tickets at the College of Arts Box Office.
What can you do with a Bachelor of Fine Arts – Music Theatre?
Today’s arts and entertainment industries are looking for people who can do far more than just step into a spotlight. As a student in the Bachelor of Fine Arts – Music Theatre program, you will build a powerful set of creative, technical, and leadership skills that make you adaptable.
By training across music, acting, movement, and production, you’ll learn how to collaborate under pressure, solve complex problems, communicate with confidence, and bring big creative visions to life.
Careers Bachelor of Fine Arts - Music Theatre graduates pursue may include:
- Production Management
- Arts Administration
- Live Audio Engineering / Sound Design
- Teaching
- Arts Advocacy
- Community Engagement Coordination
- Artistic Direction
Admission Requirements
Explore admission requirements for Canadian, international, transfer, and mature students. Start your journey today!
Scholarships & Bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial aid programs to assist with funding your education at the University of Guelph.
Tour Our Campus
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