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University of Guelph Launches Ontarios First University-Level Music Theatre Degree
The University of Guelph (U of G) has announced the launch of its Bachelor of Fine Arts – Music Theatre (BFA‑MT), the only university‑level music theatre degree in Ontario. Applications are now open for students who wish to begin the program in the fall of 2027.
The BFA‑MT is designed as a holistic program that blends performance, production and research. Students will study stage design, prop construction, pit band work and on‑stage performance, while also engaging in interdisciplinary research projects. The curriculum aims to produce graduates who can pursue careers in music theatre, but also in fields such as political lobbying, teaching, medical professions and arts research, according to program faculty.
A key feature of the program is the absence of an audition requirement. Dr. Kimberly Francis, director of the School of Fine Art and Music, said the university’s fine‑arts programs are “barrier‑free” and that students already bring substantial experience to the classroom. She added that eliminating auditions will broaden access for students from diverse backgrounds and help address representation gaps that have historically affected music theatre.
Prof. Robert Allan, one of the lead faculty, emphasized that the BFA‑MT will give students an “in‑depth education in a well‑rounded program.” He noted that graduates will leave with both practical performance skills and research experience that can be applied beyond the stage. Dr. Samantha Brennan, dean of the College of Arts, highlighted the program’s collaborative roots, stating that it is the result of years of groundwork across music and theatre departments and that it offers transferable teamwork skills highly valued by employers.
The program will be housed in four state‑of‑the‑art theatres, including spaces in the newly renovated Arts Research Centre. Facilities also include recital halls, dance studios, change rooms, music rooms, and a theatre design studio. Students will work alongside peers from the theatre studies and music programs, culminating in an annual musical that features a live student band—a feature unique to Canadian university‑level music theatre programs.
The BFA‑MT responds to student demand; the College of Arts added a dance minor in 2026 after producing the musical Into the Woods the previous year. The university’s leadership views the new degree as a way to keep the city’s vibrant arts scene alive and to provide a comprehensive education that prepares students for a wide range of professional paths.
Applications are currently being accepted through the U of G website. Prospective students can learn more about admission requirements, program structure and the university’s facilities on the official program page. The BFA‑MT is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2027, marking a significant expansion of the university’s arts offerings.
The BFA‑MT is designed as a holistic program that blends performance, production and research. Students will study stage design, prop construction, pit band work and on‑stage performance, while also engaging in interdisciplinary research projects. The curriculum aims to produce graduates who can pursue careers in music theatre, but also in fields such as political lobbying, teaching, medical professions and arts research, according to program faculty.
A key feature of the program is the absence of an audition requirement. Dr. Kimberly Francis, director of the School of Fine Art and Music, said the university’s fine‑arts programs are “barrier‑free” and that students already bring substantial experience to the classroom. She added that eliminating auditions will broaden access for students from diverse backgrounds and help address representation gaps that have historically affected music theatre.
Prof. Robert Allan, one of the lead faculty, emphasized that the BFA‑MT will give students an “in‑depth education in a well‑rounded program.” He noted that graduates will leave with both practical performance skills and research experience that can be applied beyond the stage. Dr. Samantha Brennan, dean of the College of Arts, highlighted the program’s collaborative roots, stating that it is the result of years of groundwork across music and theatre departments and that it offers transferable teamwork skills highly valued by employers.
The program will be housed in four state‑of‑the‑art theatres, including spaces in the newly renovated Arts Research Centre. Facilities also include recital halls, dance studios, change rooms, music rooms, and a theatre design studio. Students will work alongside peers from the theatre studies and music programs, culminating in an annual musical that features a live student band—a feature unique to Canadian university‑level music theatre programs.
The BFA‑MT responds to student demand; the College of Arts added a dance minor in 2026 after producing the musical Into the Woods the previous year. The university’s leadership views the new degree as a way to keep the city’s vibrant arts scene alive and to provide a comprehensive education that prepares students for a wide range of professional paths.
Applications are currently being accepted through the U of G website. Prospective students can learn more about admission requirements, program structure and the university’s facilities on the official program page. The BFA‑MT is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2027, marking a significant expansion of the university’s arts offerings.
