WestConn is the first university in the state to offer this program, which is in keeping with their continued expansion and growing reputation as a premiere higher learning institution in a multitude of disciplines.

"We have been attracting a lot of theater students with backgrounds in acting, singing and dancing," said theater arts department chairman Sal Trapani.

"As we added musical theater classes, students began clamoring for more and more musical theater instruction. After a long process, we have come up with what we think is a groundbreaking and unique program."

With a specialized degree in collaboration with the university's music department, the musical theater program will give students a comprehensive knowledge of and training in all aspects of musical theater.

The program will include acting, dance training, individual voice instruction, music theory, keyboard competency, auditioning techniques, voice and diction and theater history.

"There is no other school in the country that offers the training and the performance opportunities that we do - with a very caring and professional faculty at public university prices," Mr. Trapani said.

"WestConn has all the attributes of a small private institution. The hallmarks of our program are professionalism and a commitment to excellence.

This is an exciting time for us. The new degree program is going to make us less of a well-kept secret and more of a force in musical theater education nationally."

Opportunities for students will include performance at the annual New York Showcase and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and travel to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the Humana Festival in Louisville, Ky.