The Next Act
Photo by Eric Antoniou
The Original Musical Theater Program
Among Boston Conservatory’s many firsts was the launch of the world’s first-ever conservatory-level musical theater degree program. Established in 1958, it came at a time when the only advanced programs for aspiring theater artists were exclusively focused on drama. Boston Conservatory’s approach, drawing on its unique multidisciplinary expertise, offered something revolutionary: an innovative curriculum combining acting with music and dance. It quickly set the standard for musical theater education—a position that Boston Conservatory has held for nearly 70 years.
When theater educator, choreographer, and veteran performer Krisha Marcano took the helm of the Theater Division in 2024 as dean, she was not only energized by the program’s impressive legacy—she was also inspired by the potential to update the musical theater curriculum for student success while positioning Boston Conservatory as an even more prominent force in the industry.
“The theater landscape is rapidly evolving,” she explains. “Emerging technology has given way to new artistic practices and increasingly interdisciplinary modes of performance. How we create theater—and how artists sustain lifelong careers—needs to be front and center to our educational model.”
Marcano has many ideas for the Theater Division’s next act—among them, establishing Boston Conservatory as a sought-after incubator for new works; tapping into Berklee NYC’s graduate programs to give theater students the experience of workshopping original plays and musicals; deepening industry and alumni engagement; and expanding the successful in-person senior showcase into the digital realm.
These initiatives are just the beginning, Marcano explains, but are important foundational steps that will set the stage for a meaningful transformation of Boston Conservatory’s theater programming.
A New Leadership Team
Given the new division leadership in place, there couldn’t be a better time to get started.
Marcano has spent her entire life immersed in the arts. From dancing with prestigious companies like Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey, to performing on Broadway for 15 years, to teaching and starting her own businesses, she understands what it means—and what it takes—to be a successful theater artist.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Coke-Thomas, who joined Boston Conservatory as chair of theater in January 2026, brings to the table more than 30 years of international acting experience in every major medium—theater, film, and video games—not to mention his extensive work teaching, directing, and running his London-based talent agency, Square Mile Management.
Between their industry acumen and entrepreneurial mindsets, Marcano and Coke-Thomas are uniquely poised to turn this vision for a reinvented Theater Division into reality. They’ll begin by focusing on strengthening the curriculum and introducing new experiential learning for students.
A Hub for New Works
Theater has always relied on the development of new voices and new stories. The Theater Division’s new Workshop Series, launching next year, will position Boston Conservatory as an incubator for emerging work in musical theater and playwriting.
Each year, a playwright—either a seasoned professional refining a new script or a student from Berklee NYC’s MFA in Writing and Production for Musical Theater—will collaborate with Boston Conservatory student performers to bring a developing piece to life. Students will gain invaluable experience working on new material, learning firsthand how scripts evolve, characters take shape, and ideas transform through rehearsal.
The benefits of this new Workshop Series are far-reaching. Not only will it broaden students’ skill sets, but it will also strengthen ties across the broader Berklee community while building vital relationships with professional theater creators who are innovating the art form.
Deepening Alumni and Industry Connections
Understanding how critical it is for students to build professional connections early on, the Theater Division is amplifying its ProBoCo and Spotlight programs, which will bring a dynamic lineup of industry leaders and celebrated alumni to Boston Conservatory’s classrooms each year.
Through ProBoCo, casting directors, agents, talent representatives, and producers offer workshops, master classes, and conversations that expose students to real-world expectations and emerging trends. The Spotlight program invites accomplished alumni back to campus to share career insights, mentor current students, and strengthen the intergenerational ties within the Boston Conservatory community.
“These engagements create a direct pipeline between students and the industry,” Marcano explains. “These connections broaden their networks and give our students a chance to learn from those actively shaping the field. In this industry, your community is foundational to your success.
Expanding Senior Showcase
Boston Conservatory’s annual Senior Showcase in New York City has long been a rite of passage for musical theater students. Performed before an invited audience of agents, managers, and casting directors, the showcase serves as the moment when years of training meet the reality of professional opportunity. Graduates frequently secure auditions, representation, and early career roles from this single event.
Recognizing the increasing importance of on-camera work and digital casting, the Theater Division is expanding its in-person showcase to include a digital component featuring filmed scenes that will be available year-round to industry professionals. This provides graduates both the immediacy of a live introduction and the enduring reach of a digital portfolio—the best of both worlds.
The Fund Making It Possible
While Marcano and Coke-Thomas bring the expertise and experience to implement these initiatives, philanthropic partnerships will be critical to fully realizing their potential. Boston Conservatory’s recently established Theater Innovation Fund will provide this crucial support, ensuring this visionary roadmap is realized to its fullest potential.
Those interested in championing Boston Conservatory theater students and ensuring that the division continues to lead the way in theater education can make a gift to the Theater Innovation Fund online or by contacting Greg Gordon, director of institutional advancement, at ggordon@berklee.edu.
“With this important support, we can make something great into something extraordinary,” says Marcano. “Let’s make some magic!”
READ: STAGES 2026
“The Next Act” first appeared in the 2026 issue of STAGES, Boston Conservatory’s annual magazine.
