Music and Performing Arts
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- Music Major
- Applied Performance: Composition Emphasis
- Applied Performance Major: Instrumental Emphasis
- Applied Performance Major: Vocal Emphasis
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- Media and Performing Arts Minor
- Music Minor
- Music Performance Endorsement
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Theatre and Opera
Undergrad Majors & Programs Department of Music and Performing Arts Performing Opportunities
Find opportunities to express your creativity, grow in community, and develop as an artist. Whether you want to perform, direct, or work behind the scenes, you’ll be part of a Christ-guided community that values excellence, collaboration, and calling. Performances are open to all students—no matter your major.
Musicals
Musicals are performed in Benson Great Hall every other year and are open to all students by audition. Participants rehearse throughout January and perform in early spring.
Mainstage musical—West Side Story
The 2026 mainstage production is West Side Story, a musical based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and a conception of Jerome Robbins. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents. This production is part of a January session course—Producing and Performing a Musical.
Opera
Operas are fully staged and performed in English with projected subtitles. They alternate years with musicals and are open by audition to all Bethel students. Rehearsals take place during January with performances at the start of the spring semester.
Past productions include: Rossini’s Cinderella, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, Puccini’s Suor Angelica.
Black Box Theatre productions
Black Box productions take place each fall and offer intimate, flexible theatre experiences. Shows vary from Shakespeare to small-cast musicals and whodunit plays.
Fall 2025 production—Little Women, The Broadway Musical
Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women, The Broadway Musical, follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested—her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America.
Spring scenes shows
The spring scenes show is a cabaret-style performance of opera and musical theatre scenes. Students can audition to perform or sign up to direct or choreograph scenes. Rehearsals vary by scene and role. Open by audition.
Student production teams
Every Bethel production relies on a talented backstage team. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside professionals to learn what goes on behind the scenes from the first rehearsal to the final curtain call.
Interested in performing arts and media production? Apply for a Media and Performing Arts scholarship!
Current student sign-ups
Explore music ensemble and private lesson opportunities at Bethel. Incoming and returning students can find sign-up links and rehearsal schedules for the upcoming semester.
Questions?
Contact Merrin Guice Gill, chair of music and performing arts.