Montclair State University continues to solidify its reputation as one of the nation’s top training grounds for Broadway talent. Ranked among the top colleges on Broadway for the 2024-2025 season by Playbill, the university’s musical theatre program has a proven track record of preparing performers for the professional stage.
Among its distinguished alumni is Josh Dela Cruz, the star and host of Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues & You! since 2019. Under his lead, the show won its first Emmy ever, the first since the program began in the 1990s, highlighting his impact both on-screen and in children’s entertainment. Josh’s career also includes appearances in Netflix’s FUBAR, Law & Order: Toronto, and developing a children’s literacy show, along with starring in the feature film Blue’s Big City Adventure and Broadway productions such as Disney’s Aladdin, Merrily We Roll Along, Here Lies Love, and The King and I opposite Lou Diamond Phillips.
Tony-nominated Rob McClure, also a Montclair State alum, is celebrated for his performances in Chaplin and Mrs. Doubtfire, demonstrating the department's consistent ability to nurture performers capable of achieving professional acclaim.
This spring, Montclair State University Department of Theatre and Dance invites audiences to experience the next generation of rising stars in the upcoming production of Peter and the Starcatcher. The five-time Tony Award-winning play, written by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker and based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, is directed by Ryan Kasprzak, choreographed by Jessica Chen, and produced in collaboration with the John J. Cali School of Music.
Performance Dates:
- Thursday, February 19 @ 7:30 pm
- Friday, February 20 @ 7:30 pm
- Saturday, February 21 @ 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
- Thursday, February 26 @ 7:30 pm
- Friday, February 27 @ 7:30 pm
- Saturday, February 28 @ 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
From Emmy-winning television to Broadway stages, Montclair State’s musical theatre program continues to cultivate talented, versatile performers. With its outstanding faculty, rigorous training, and a strong history of alumni success, the program remains a leading destination for students eager to pursue professional careers in the performing arts.
