Additonal Information:
Teaching Areas: Musical Theatre coordinator, Voice
Tenure Track faculty
Date of Hire: August 2011
Biography
As coordinator for the Musical Theatre program, Michael Elliott teaches individual voice and repertoire, conducts master classes, oversees curriculum development for the option, and music directs various Ball State productions. In 2011-12, Elliott music directed the unapologetically gory
Evil Dead: The Musical and assisted with production of
The Drowsy Chaperone. Elliott also served as musical director for the Chicago and New York Showcases, connecting students with casting agents, directors, and other theatre professionals in those regions. This fall, Elliott will music direct Ball State’s production of
Spring Awakening and provide artistic consultation for the New York Showcase in the spring.
Elliott has worked as an actor, music director, and vocal instructor throughout the country. His professional acting experience includes National Tour performances of
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and the San Diego premier of the three-person opera
Bed and Sofa. He music directed the world premiere of
Alice at the Christian Youth Theatre in San Diego, and vocal directed
Bye, Bye Birdie for the National Dance Institute in Santa Fe. From 2006-11, Elliott directed, music directed, conducted, and performed with Peach State Summer Theatre, Georgia’s official musical theatre.
Prior to Ball State, Elliott served as an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre—Voice at Valdosta State University, where he taught musical theatre voice and repertoire, musical theatre performance, beginning acting, and audition techniques, musical theatre history, theatre appreciation, and sight singing. He directed and music directed a range of main stage productions and annual events, including the Valdosta State University Musical Theatre Showcase, which Elliott established in 2009 to highlight seniors’ growth and contributions to the arts. A member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Elliott has presented workshops about Healthy Vocal Techniques and Audition Techniques at various conferences, including the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC).
Michael earned a Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in vocal education from the University of Missouri—Columbia.