BW Music Theatre ranked Top 10 in nation

BW's music theatre program is enjoying a fresh round of national accolades, including recognition as one of the "top 10 colleges for musical theater" by Backstage, billed as "the most trusted place for actors and performers to find jobs and career advice" for more than 50 years.

The Backstage critique, under the headline, "10 Musical Theater College Programs You Should Know," highlights BW's deep, triple-threat training in acting, dance and voice as well as extraordinary performance opportunities, including partnerships with Cleveland's professional theatres: "every student graduates with either their AEA card or EMC membership."

The article also notes the robust "post-college prep" that sets BW students up for successful networking and auditions. "The school also offers a master class series that allows students to be seen by 10 different professionals (agents, managers, or casting directors) offering critiques and advice beginning their sophomore year."

"To cap off their undergraduate experience, each student's senior year culminates in two days of showcases at New World Stages" in New York City.

Second Top Ten

The Backstage ranking comes on the heels of a 2017-18 Ten Best ranking by OnStage, which placed BW fourth in the nation.

For this year's list, OnStage zeroed in on the advantages of BW's partnership with Playhouse Square, noting, "BW has produced six regional premieres in partnership with Playhouse Square and received national attention for academic premieres of Broadway productions. Among its credits, BW produced the first-ever in repertory productions of La Boheme and Rent."

Applause for latest regional premiere

Currently, 35 BW students and alumni are staging the Midwest premiere of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at Great lakes Theatre, including Broadway's Corey Mach '10 as Quasimodo and Keri Rene Fuller '15 as Esmerelda.

The well-reviewed production, directed by BW music theatre director Victoria Bussert, runs through Nov. 4.

Representing on Broadway

Last year, OnStage touted BW's master classes, powerhouse New York Showcase and impressive list of alumni who have or are appearing on Broadway among the many strengths of the program.

BW recently made Playbill's list of "The 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway in the 2017-2018 Season," even with the omission of Kate Rockwell '07 as a lead in "Mean Girls."

"Physically tough and mentally tougher"

Making it on the Great White Way takes hard work on many levels. Current "Dear Evan Hansen" standby Colton Ryan '17 recently walked Playbill Magazine through the fitness regimen that keeps him "physically tough and mentally tougher," complete with "do-it-at-home" instructions and photos.