Alumni to Watch

Amy Rogers (BM, Musical Theatre, '98) graduated from ASU Herberger College, received her graduate degree in musical theatre and moved to New York to become a performer and a director. Providence took a turn when Rogers came across an advertisement for someone to help establish a musical theatre program at Pace University. At the tender age of 24, Rogers landed the job. Within her first five years, she jump-started the program from a small group of six interested students to a fully accredited BFA program with more than 86 majors.

Amy Rogers (BM, Musical Theatre, ’98)

Rogers is proud to be running one of only two musical theatre programs in New York City, a town known for its thriving professional theatre industry.

"I work with kids who want to learn, get a hands-on experience and learn their craft while being in the center of it," Rogers says. "It's much easier for my students to have access to all the pros and all the shows, because they are learning their craft in the heart of it all."

Rogers stresses the importance of the connections her students are making while they're studying. For example, most of her faculty is composed of Broadway musical theatre scholars and professionals, including casting director Bob Cline, who develops and produces the Senior Showcase. In addition, Rogers brings in many writers, so the students can learn what it's like to develop a new work in a workshop setting. They have access to masterclasses, the Lincoln Center Library and the Actor's Studio, all of which link the students to the professional world. Some of Rogers' students are currently working in Equity productions and on national tours before they have graduated.

"I have six students on national and regional tours, and several of my students have agents while studying in college," Rogers says. "A few have had to make decisions whether to leave for a national tour or finish their academic careers."

What is Rogers' vision for the future of the Pace BFA musical theatre program?

"I would like for it to be considered one of the top musical theatre programs in the country," Rogers says. "My goal is to produce really interesting actors and wonderful singers; artists who are being recognized in the community for being very well-trained and well-educated and responsible and wonderful to work with. It's a simple goal, but if the next five years go as well as the past, I know we will get there."