Molloy/CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts. You will study at both the Molloy University Rockville Center Campus and at the University's state-of-the-art studios in downtown Manhattan. An integrated training program is taught by an expert faculty of seasoned professionals, many of whom are currently working in the industry.
CAP21 replenishes the American musical theatre by training the next generation of performers and infusing the entertainment industry at large with talent and source material. The goal is to create programs that achieve substantial and lasting contributions to the future of the arts.
Location: What distinguishes CAP21 from other programs in the combination of word-class musical theatre training in a city of limitless opportunities: New York City. By day, students train with a renowned faculty of Broadway veterans. By night, students have access to the best of Broadway museums, libraries, and other unique New York resources.
CAP21 Philosophy: The CAP21 process of training integrates three crucial components of the Actor: the Instrument, the Craftsman, and the Collaborator. The training of the physical instrument of the actor—the body and the voice—is the groundwork of the technique. Training the craftsman of the actor develops the artist and the storyteller. The collaborator is the third and most crucial component—the ability of the actor to work together with other actors, directors and writers in order to create an ensemble to tell a theatrical musical story. Traditional forms of Acting, Dance, Music and Literature are the base from which the foundation of technique is built for the actor in musical theatre.
CAP21 Training: The Methodology of the training process enables the actor to work with and to be guided by top mentors and professionals in the industry. The CAP21 faculty works as a team. Actors are evaluated at the beginning of each training program and goals are set for the student's work in each class. At the end of program or semester every actor is evaluated by the entire faculty in class work demonstrations.
The 2-Year Professional Musical Theatre Training Program: The 2-Year Professional Musical Theatre Training Program trains actors to be competitive in the industry. Expectations are high and the training prepares students to confidently combine the skills of acting, singing, and dancing. Unlike other programs that allow students to take only a few classes in dance or music, the 2-Year Professional Musical Theatre Training Program is designed to prepare students in all three disciplines.
Admissions: CAP21 has a rolling admissions policy. Applications are processed and reviewed immediately, when ALL MATERIALS have been received by CAP21. Applications lacking any components will not be processed. Once all materials have been reviewed, you will be contacted for a telephone interview and to schedule a live audition. Students attend CAP21 from Florida, Texas, New York, California, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Washington, and all over the country.
For application procedures and audition information visit our website
Housing: Housing is not available through CAP21. For students in need of housing, we recommend contacting The website Sara's Homestay. This affiliate offers a variety of different housing options to suit our student’s needs.
For more information and to apply visit our website.
Faculty: CAP21 is committed to hiring faculty members who are remarkable teachers with life experience in the theatre. The CAP21 faculty is comprised of the finest master teachers and working professionals who specialize in the three disciplines of acting, singing and dancing. Our master teachers offer students direct insight to how the skills learned in the classroom are applied on the stage.
Student Testimonials: The following are testimonials from 2-Year Professional Musical Theatre Training Program students:
"After my first year of training in the CAP21 2-Year Professional Musical Theatre Training Program, I can honestly say I am a new performer! The training has not only helped me to grow leaps and bounds artistically and technically in all areas of musical theatre, it has challenged me to open up in ways I had not thought possible."
“CAP21 is a safe, judgment-free environment that gave me the confidence to create, discover, and grow as an individual. The faculty not only taught me the essential skills that I needed, they nurtured all of the quirky qualities that made me unique. As a character actor on Broadway, this uniqueness has been the key to my success.”
“Thank you and your faculty for creating a wonderful and enriching environment for your students to grow and succeed. It was a very difficult decision to allow my 18 year old daughter to go across the country to New York for school, but your faculty and the caring atmosphere has helped ease many of this mom’s concerns.”
“My training at CAP21 gave me the skills and confidence that helped me book my first job out of school. I used everything I learned at CAP21 and brought it on stage with me. CAP21 was an invaluable experience I will never forget.”
“For me, CAP21 was about building relationships. I found lifelong teachers, friends and collaborators who also make their home in New York City. From the start of my education here I was building a team of supporters, and that’s hard to find.”
Alumni Achievement: Over 100 CAP21 alums have been cast in more than 120 different Broadway shows including Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Newsies, A Chorus Line, A Little Night Music, The Addams Family, Annie Get Your Gun, Billy Elliott, Cabaret, 42nd Street, Fosse, The Full Monty, Gypsy, Hair, Hairspray, In the Heights, Jersey Boys, La Cage aux Folles, Legally Blonde, The Light in the Piazza, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Les Misérables, Oklahoma!, The Producers, The Radio City Rockettes, Rent, South Pacific, Spamalot, Spring Awakening, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Wicked, and Young Frankenstein. In addition, hundreds of alumni have been in national and international tours, regional theatre productions across the country, television and film.
Notable Alumni Include:
Nikki M. James Awards: 2011 Tony Award Winner Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Drama Desk Award Nominee,Outer Critics Circle Award Nominee; Broadway: Les Misérables (Eponine), The Book of Mormon (Nabalungi), All Shook Up (Lorraine), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Matthew Morrison Awards: Emmy Award Nominee, Best Actor in a Comedy Series (2010 & 2011), Golden Globe Nominee, Tony Award Nominee; Broadway: South Pacific (Lt. Joe Cable), The Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio), Hairspray (Link Larkin); Television: Glee
Lady Gaga aka Stephanie Germanotta Awards: Grammy Award winner for Best Dance Recording and Best Electronic/Dance Album
Anne Hathaway Awards: 2013 Academy Award Winner, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, 2009 Academy Award Nominee, Best Actress; Film: Les Misérables
Kristen Bell Broadway: Tom Sawyer (Becky Thatcher), The Crucible (Susanna Walcott); Film: Frozen, Burlesque
Bobby Steggert Awards: 2010 Tony Award Nominee, Dorothy Loudon Star-Baby Award Winner; Broadway: Big Fish (Will Bloom), Ragtime (Younger Brother), 110 in the Shade (Jimmy Curry), Mothers and Sons
Jared Gertner Awards: Oliver Award Nominee Broadway: The Book of Mormon (Original Broadway and London Productions, Elder Cunningham), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee)
About CAP21: Founded in 1903, CAP21 replenishes the American musical theatre by training the next generation of performers and infusing the entertainment industry at large with talent and source material. The goal is to create programs that achieve substantial and lasting contributions to the future of the arts.