Shenandoah University

What you'll study

Training combines acting, dance and voice with practical, hands-on performance opportunities. Key elements described by the program include:

• Acting: A core Meisner training program provides drill-based work to develop instinctive responses; from the sophomore year students also study a range of methods (Uta Hagen, Stanislavsky, Chekhov) and take Acting for the Camera.
• Dance: Two-track dance instruction (advanced and beginner/intermediate) with students taking two dance classes each semester; styles covered include ballet, jazz, tap and musical theatre, with elective options.
• Voice: Weekly 50-minute private voice lessons and coursework across traditional and contemporary musical theatre repertoire; a freshman vocal styles course teaches stylization across genres and the program explicitly trains pop/rock singing alongside classic musical theatre approaches (the program cites research showing 55% of NYC auditions request contemporary pop/pop-rock material).
• Performance practice: Students audition for all musicals and plays each semester and participate in student-run storytelling groups and ensembles.

Entry requirements

The program describes admission as highly competitive and requires pre-screening materials submitted through the conservatory admissions channel. Conservatory minors require Division/Department Chair approval and some minors also require an audition. Students should be prepared for regular performance auditions each semester once enrolled.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly move directly into professional performance work; the program reports that most seniors (usually 70–90%) secure summer stock or full-year contracts and often relocate to New York City afterward. Alumni have gone on to perform on Broadway, national and international tours, regional theatres, cruise ships, theme parks, outdoor dramas and in TV/film; others work as casting professionals, agents, directors, music directors, choreographers, creators of new work and in theatre administration.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The course page does not list specific scholarships or fees; prospective students should consult Shenandoah University’s admissions and financial aid offices for details on available scholarships, assistantships or conservatory-specific funding.