<p>I teach at JMU, so am bias 
but we currently have alums on (or soon to be going on) national tours/ out of town companies of Book of Mormon, Catch me if You Can, Memphis, among others… on BWay in Annie, Far from Heaven, Spiderman, off-Broadway, working actively in regional theatre, and film and TV. </p>
<p>We are a small program… aim for a class of 8 - 12 freshmen/ transfers in musical theatre each year. My first year here seven years ago we auditioned 55 for musical theatre, this past year we auditioned close to 200 for musical theatre. the Theatre program has also become much more selective over the past 7 years. There is opportunity for theatre students to take some music, dance, and participate in musicals, and for musical theatre students to take many acting classes and audition for all plays. We have about 20 - 30 guest artists come to JMU each year to work with our students. </p>
<p>We are an auditioned “intensive BA” program. Students balance significant studio class work and performance opportunities with a fair amount of academic classwork. So, an option to look into for students who are looking for a strong program in musical theatre combined with strong academics and a “college experience.” </p>
<p>I agree with all of the programs listed above… although I think I would call all of these programs more “strong programs you may not have heard as much about,” rather than “programs on the rise.” Some of them are new programs, so they just do not have the same long standing reputation, and of course are on the rise… others have been around for awhile, but may not have been as well known for whatever reason, or have a shift in faculty, curriculum, or focus that seems to be working positively. </p>
<p>I would also add Illinois Wesleyan, Webster, Texas State, Viterbo, UCLA, and Muhlenberg to those mentioned above. I know there are others as well that are slipping my mind right now. </p>
<p>This is a really great question!! In the end it is all about finding a balanced list of programs that pique your interest, and where you think you would be happy to train, live, and grow for four years. Finding programs that may not be as well known, that offer solid training, and where you think you could be happy is a great goal. All students will thrive in different environments. There is no one cookie cutter path to a career. :-)</p>