Musical Theatre students become well-rounded artists ready for careers in Theatre through disciplined training in acting, singing, and dancing. Students begin with an acting formation based on Stanislavski and Meisner and progress into group and individual voice and dance lessons, resulting in triple-threats ready for a variety of musical genres and productions. There are multiple opportunities for students to develop their skills through regular productions of contemporary musicals during each theatre production season.
Coupled with a foundation in the Humanities, students are prepared for in-depth understanding of the larger cultural context that Musical Theatre is a part of as well as how to make a positive impact through their work in Theatre and beyond.
Grow in faith and understanding with a rich sequence of coursework in Scripture, Theology, and Philosophy.
Prepare for your career in theatre with foundational skills in contract negotiation, marketing, career planning, and leadership.
Study the human condition by actively engaging in an exploration of art, literature, culture, politics, economics, and more
With two musicals each theatre season and other opportunities to perform, our culture of production results in students building up a diverse repertoire of musical theatre experience starting their freshman year. Students also receive individualized training in vocal and dance techniques to continue their growth consistently. Learn more about how students challenge and support each other with each musical through our backstage videos.
SEE BEHIND THE SCENESMake audiences laugh, cry tears of joy and sorrow, and think deeply; make an impact by showing the human experience through productions that span genres and time. Each JPCatholic Theatre Productions season includes four major productions a year that are performed at the California Performing Arts Center and alternates between plays and musicals.
The Addams Family
Winter 2020
King Lear
Spring 2020
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Summer 2020
Our campus is a place where students can grow both professionally and spiritually. We’re a unique community of artists and innovators, centered around our faith in Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith. Immerse yourself in an abundance of opportunities for spiritual growth, including Daily Mass, Confession, Adoration, Rosary, Retreats, and Service Projects.
LEARN MOREWith a total student body under 300, JPCatholic offers a warm, tight-knit campus community. Foster lifelong friendships, form creative partnerships, and surround yourself with a supportive environment that encourages your growth in both virtue and artistic excellence.
SEE STUDENT STORIESOur unique academic model prepares students for the real-world pace of professional life in the industry, with a focus on hands-on projects, internships, and portfolio preparation. The program is structured on a year-round quarter system, and you graduate with your Bachelors Degree in just 12 quarters. Each quarter is 10 weeks long, with about 3 weeks of break between each quarter.
LEARN MOREJPCatholic alumni have found success in a variety of paths, ranging from Hollywood to independent media organizations, and from large corporations to nonprofits to their own entrepreneurial start-ups. View our placement rate and alumni jobs by clicking below.
LEARN MOREJohn Paul the Great Catholic University is centered in north county San Diego, just a 35-minute drive from downtown in America's Finest City. Southern California is famous for its fantastic weather, beautiful beaches and mountains, and bustling metropolitan areas. Our campus is just 15 miles from the beach, a short trip by car or train. And with Los Angeles and Hollywood within striking distance, students have even more opportunities for internships, networking, and auditions.
LEARN MOREAs an upperclassmen, media students have the opportunity to live in Burbank for a quarter, located right up the street from the Warner Bros. studio lot. These 8 weeks open up a host of new opportunities for internships, networking, auditions, and experiencing life in the entertainment capital of the world.
LEARN MOREJPCatholic offers a unique model of study abroad with a variety of destinations. Each trip is an interactive academic experience that starts with ten weeks of classroom instruction on-campus here in Escondido and culminates in a week or two of travel led by the professor. Destinations may be international or domestic, and each course is specially designed to provide a unique cultural and educational experience to the student.
LEARN MOREWith small class sizes and mentorship, professors are able to provide individualized training. They bring decades of experience from varied backgrounds in theatre and film.
Abbie Cobb
Adjunct Professor of Acting
Lee Eskey
Professor and Chair of Acting
Monique Gaffney
Adjunct Professor of Acting
Rebecca Huber
Adjunct Faculty for Vocal Performance
Robert Giracello
Adjunct Professor of Music
Steven Kramp
Professor of Creative Writing and Chair of Humanities and Theology
Humanities Program Overview
Margie Curran: Learning Virtue from Your Characters | Why We Create
Backstage with "Shrek the Musical"
Viva Valdez: Struggling with Comparison | Why We Create
Backstage with "Guys and Dolls" | Acting Program
Why Study Poetry