Performing Arts
major
The Performing Arts Program offers an immersive degree in the performative arts with concentrations in music, theater, and individualized studies. The major provides opportunities for musical and theatrical performance, as well as the study of theoretical, historical, aesthetic, and technical aspects in the performing arts, and professional connections and experiences through internships and other industry-related opportunities.
The Music concentration features several ensembles for credit such as the Saint Michael’s Singers, the Jazz Orchestra, the String Orchestra, and West African Drumming as well as subsidized private lessons with local professional musicians on various instruments and voice. The Theatre concentration offers faculty- and student-directed productions with opportunities to direct, design, manage, and perform. For the Individualized Studies concentration, students undertake varied courses and performing experience in music, theater, and dance alike for a tailored degree.
Inside Look
Curriculum
The Performing Arts major has six shared courses that each student takes regardless of concentration. These include an introductory Foundations course (PA-101), courses in Musical Theater (PA-244) and Body Awareness (PA-201), a Capstone experience (PA-492), and an Internship (PA-499). For the Music concentration, majors also take two semesters on the structures of music (MU-201 and MU-203) and participate in a select number of ensembles and private lessons. For the Theater concentration, students will also take courses in acting (Th-207), directing (TH-309), and stage crafts (Th-209).
New program beginning Fall 2026
Saint Michael’s College is updating its academic offerings to better align with evolving workforce needs and to enhance resource efficiency at St. Mike’s. These changes will strengthen the interdisciplinary learning and societal engagement already inherent in a Saint Michael’s education while staying true to our liberal arts vision and mission.
In Fall 2026, this major combine and replace the existing programs Theatre and Music for incoming students.
More information about the curriculum will be shared soon.
Highlight
Campus Resource
McCarthy Arts Center
Careers
Careers that Performing Arts majors can and have pursued are wide and many.
For the Music concentration, they include entertainment law; music therapy; music education; booking, management, and public relations (PR); producing, engineering, and mixing for a recording studio; music journalism; performance; and work for professional organizations such as the Recording Academy (the GRAMMYS).
In Theater they include production, company, and stage manager; technical and musical director; directing; acting; scenic, lighting, and costume designer; publicist; playwright; arts critic; union work (IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, AEA); house manager; and box office.
Contact
William Ellis
Director and Professor of Fine Arts: Music
McCarthy Arts Center 203
wellis@smcvt.edu
802.654.2993
Ready to apply?
Take the next step at Michael’s College.