:: The Hartford Conservatory ::

Musical Theater Major

The Hartford Conservatory has temporarily suspended accepting new students into this program. We are sorry for any inconvenience. Please see information that follows. Thank you.

The Board of Trustees of the Hartford Conservatory recently announced strategic steps to achieve the organization's goal of sustainability. These actions reflected the considerable work done by the Conservatory's Strategic Planning Committee, comprised of board members, faculty and staff, which provided a realistic assessment of organizational objectives, strengths and challenges, and suggested options for addressing the organization's ongoing financial difficulties. The Board also considered the unprecedented pressures of the current economic environment.

The Board reached two very difficult but necessary decisions to reduce the organization's accumulated deficit without increasing the burden on students through higher tuition, and make it possible to maintain the Hartford Conservatory's accreditation through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Effective June 1, 2009, the Hartford Conservatory will discontinue leasing of a dance studio at 2074 Park Street. The other decision is not to accept new students in the Diploma Program's Dance and Musical Theater majors. New students will be accepted in Music Performance, Music Teaching Methods, Piano Technology and Recording Arts.

Current dance and musical theater majors will continue their course of study to achieve their diplomas. Faculty and students will use an existing dance studio at the main campus on Asylum Avenue.

The Hartford Conservatory has enhanced its training in the field of performing arts with programs that improve the potential for entry-level jobs in the music industry. Efforts to improve viability also include a Statement of Collaboration with the University of Connecticut, which will be signed on May 13. The focus on music, recording arts and piano technology is expected to lead to increased Diploma enrollments, which are the driving force of the Conservatory's revenues.

Linn McGlade, who has served as Interim Executive Director since October 2005, will develop and implement the organizational structure needed to support the Board's strategic decisions for both the post-secondary Diploma Program and the Community Program. The latter provides private and group instruction for people of all ages and abilities seeking personal enrichment in the performing arts and includes access for under-served Hartford area students on a tuition-free basis.

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The three-year Musical Theater major is uniquely designed to provide rigorous professional training in acting, speech, singing, movement and dance.

Our goal is to graduate performers who are truly “triple threats,” trained in singing, acting and dancing, and ready for careers in show business.

Students will have opportunities to learn about career strategies, audition techniques, and a variety of performance skills. Guest artists from the New York theatrical community and the world stage will facilitate special workshops and master classes.

Public and in-house performing opportunities are built into the program to provide significant practical experience and audience interaction.

To succeed in the highly competitive field of musical performance, performers must be prepared to work in all venues, Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theater, road shows, live industrials, motion pictures and television, cruise lines, theme parks and night clubs – cabarets and revues. We want our students prepped and ready for all these professional employment options.

Students who are in good standing and have obtained the necessary credits for graduation,will be introduced to the profession through a showcase performance in New York City.

The Hartford Conservatory Musical Theater faculty is committed to working effectively with all students who enter the program, regularly evaluating their progress toward professional readiness.

A student graduating from the Hartford Conservatory Musical Theater Program will have developed the skills required, developed the ability to maximize opportunities, and acquired the performance versatility necessary to get and do the job as a professional musical theater performer.