The MSU Opera Workshop is dedicated to the preparation of students for work on the operatic and musical theater stage. A special emphasis is placed on introducing the novice singer/actor to basic stage movement while singing. Students have the opportunity to audition the Department of Music and the Department of Theater and Dance joint productions of a musical selected from the standard musical theater repertory. Recent shows have included "Into The Woods," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Pirates of Penzance," and "Cinderella."

During the semester opposite the main stage musical production students have the opportunity to work alone and in small groups staging arias and scenes from grand opera, operetta and musical theater. Voice faculty members direct these activities sharing their real-life stage experiences with the students in a professional theater environment.

These stage experiences are particularly valuable to the singers as they prepare themselves for careers in performance or as music teachers who may, one day, direct their own students in musical theater/operetta productions.