Program Recognition
•Named among Playbill's 'Top 20 Producer of Broadway Talent' (2025)
•Named one of Backstage Magazine's '16 Best Musical Theatre Programs in the U.S.' (2026)
•Named among The Hollywood Reporter's '25 Best Drama Schools in the World' (2024)
Training
•Small classes ensure personalized attention and close faculty mentoring
•Award-winning, professionally active faculty with extensive national and international experience
•New in 2025-26: expanded production season, new professional theatre partnerships, and expanded masterclasses under new leadership team
Performance & Productions
•Students perform regionally and nationally while in school, making industry contacts and gaining valuable resume experience
•Performance partnerships with Playhouse Square, Great Lakes Theater, Cleveland Play House, and other regional theaters
•Six regional premieres produced in partnership with Playhouse Square
•Academic premieres include 'Kinky Boots' (first university production), virtual 'Spring Awakening', and first-ever in repertory productions of 'La Boheme' and 'Rent'
•Partnership with Near West Theatre creating exciting artistic pathways
Notable Alumni
•100% of BW students signed by top agents for the past 10 years through annual New York Showcase
•Colton Ryan — Tony Award nominee for New York, New York; originated Gene Laine in Girl from the North Country on Broadway •Jill Paice — Broadway credits include An American in Paris, Curtains, and The Woman in White •Ciara Renée — Broadway's Frozen (Elsa), Big Fish, Pippin, and Waitress •Chris McCarrell — originated the title role in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical; Les Misérables on Broadway •Caitlin Houlahan — Broadway's Waitress; also appeared in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Mare of Easttown Facilities
•Striking Boesel Musical Arts Center with 50 soundproofed practice rooms and impressive rehearsal halls
•Close proximity to Cleveland's nationally ranked music and arts organizations
•Seniors perform in two days of showcases at New World Stages attended by 200 industry professionals
Verified Recent Class Sizes
•Class of 2030: 30 students
•Class of 2029: 23 students
•Class of 2028: 27 students
•Class of 2027: 21 students
