Abstract
Students in an undergraduate theatre department are hoping to find work in the theatre profession upon graduation. Their reasonable expectation is that the theatre department will prepare them for rigors of the professional stage. Many students, however, finish their college degrees and are not given the necessary tools to succeed in the industry. Sources of Data An action research approach was used to remount a musical for undergraduates to establish a viable method with which to prepare them for the professional theatre business. The following tools were used to collect data: video, personal documentation of the events, and both actor and audience surveys. Conclusions Reached This project largely achieved its goals and should be a viable method for directing undergraduate musicals. Recommendations for future projects include promoting professionalism by requiring the actors to sign contracts, producing the work in a familiar theatre venue, and utilizing a director or choreographer’s assistant to the fullest to accommodate the shortened production period.