The Musical Theatre Initiative is an international center at Wright State University that celebrates and explores the history, culture and craft of the musical theatre through workshops, conferences and performances.

2016-17 Events

November 2, 2016   
10 a.m.-noon, Festival Playhouse
Tony Walton – Award winning scenic and costume designer

Tony Walton will discuss his more than half a century as the premiere designer of Broadway musicals including original productions of Pippin, Chicago, Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Grand Hotel and many more. His films include: Mary Poppins, All That Jazz, The Wiz and others. He is the recipient of the Oscar, Emmy and Tony Awards. Mr. Walton will offer a workshop with Theatre students that afternoon.

December 1, 2016   
6:30 p.m., Creative Arts Center Film Theatre
Rick McKay – Broadway Documentary Filmmaker

Rick McKay’s award-winning documentary, Broadway: The Golden Age has been lauded as “almost indescribably powerful and moving”, “an unforgettably elegant tribute” and “heart-skippingly exhilarating”. It is also winner of 15 film festival awards. Mr. McKay will show offer Musical Theatre Initiative audiences a first-ever preview to his latest film in this series, Broadway: Beyond The Golden Age, followed by a lecture and interview. He will offer Wright State Motion Pictures majors a workshop the following day.

March 6-11, 2017    
Bob Fosse Master Teacher – Lloyd Culbreath      

WSU Theatre and Dance students will spend a week learning the techniques and choreography of Broadway’s legendary director, Bob Fosse, through a series of intensive workshops with Lloyd Culbreath (Broadway productions of Dancin’, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, A Dancer’s Life, and Big Deal). Mr. Culbreath is one of an elite group of Master Teachers approved by the Verdon Fosse estates to teach and restage Mr. Fosse’s original work. Wright State audiences will see the fruits of this workshop in the Spring Faculty Dance Concert (April 20-23, 2017) where Mr. Culbreath’s staging of “The Rich Man’s Frug” (Sweet Charity) will be presented. Tickets are available at the Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures Box Office.

Date TBA       
Sheldon Harnick – Legendary Lyricist of Fiddler on the Roof

The Musical Theatre Initiative is proud to present Broadway legend, Sheldon Harnick, whose lyrics for Fiddler On The Roof, She Loves Me, Fiorello, The Rothschilds and many others have charmed and entertained audiences for over six decades. Winner of the Pulitzer and Tony Awards, Mr. Harnick has made an indelible mark on the Musical Theatre as America’s great popular art form. He will offer a public interview and conversation about his work and a public master class with student performers singing his songs. Dates and venue will be available shortly.