Brad Willcuts

1503 Pershing Dr.

Lansing, MI
507.351.1702
willcuts@msu.edu

Education

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre, Performance Pedagogy

Emphasis in Musical Theatre and Movement
Virginia Commonwealth University
May 2015

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance

Minor in Dance Performance
Minnesota State University at Mankato
May 2005

Teaching Experience

Michigan State University

Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Choreography (Tenure
Track) August 2015 Present
DAN 351 Jazz (Technique I)

(Fall 2015, Fall 2016) Beginning to intermediate Jazz technique class covering technique, vocabulary,
sequence retention and musical theatre style.
THEA 204 Musical Theatre Performance/Ensemble (Topics in Acting/Directing)

(Fall 2015, Spring 2017) Introduction class to the world of Musical Theatre focusing on a strong and
versatile backbone for ensemble work and ensemble singing and dance.

DAN 354 Choreography and Composition

(Fall 2015) An examination into the fundamentals of choreographic craft through solo, duet and small
group composition.

THEA 304 Musical Theatre Performance/Duet and Scene Work (Topics in

Acting/Directing)

(Spring 2016, Fall 2017) Intermediate class in musical theatre acting, scene work, scene analysis and
stylization in the musical theatre duet cannon.

DAN 352 Contemporary Dance (Technique II)

(Spring 2016, Fall 2017) Intermediate technique class focusing on contemporary dance styles and their
effect, purpose and meaning in modern society.

THEA 304 Musical Theatre Performance/Solo (Topics in Acting/Directing)

(Fall 2016) Advanced work in Musical theatre solo performance, audition book building, stylization and
approaching the professional world after college.

DAN 452 Musical Theatre Styles (Technique IV)

(Spring 2017) Intermediate/Advanced technique and style based class following a historical progression of
Broadways most influential and famous choreographers and their original work.

DAN 251 Introduction to Dance

(Summer 2016, Fall 2016) Survey course in Dance history with application of music, dance practice,
technique and composition.

Virginia Commonwealth University

Adjunct Faculty, August 2013 May 2015
THEA 203 Advanced Movement for the Actor I
(Spring 2015) Intermediate to advanced movement study for the junior acting major. Classes covered a
wide range of movement styles including, Viewpoints work, Alexander technique, Ballet, Modern and Jazz
technique, Mask and Stage Violence.
THEA 318 Musical Theatre Performance I & II

(Fall 2013, Spring 2014) Basic through advanced Musical Theatre audition preparation, song choice,
audition technique and professional advancement.

THEA 203 Movement for the Actor I & II

(Fall 2013, Spring 2014) Begging to intermediate movement study for the sophomore acting major.

THEA 491 Ballet for the Actor

(Fall 2014) Guest Instruction on the ballet audition for both male and female parts with original
choreography from A Chorus Line.

SPCH 121 Effective Speech

(Spring 2015) Constructing and presenting an engaging public speech, with a focus on developing
extemporaneous presentation skills overcoming the fear of public address.

THEA 113 Intro to Acting

(Fall 2014, Spring 2015) Guest instruction for multiple Intro to Acting classes in Stanislavski based acting
work, movement training, breath, tempo, spatial awareness and physical training.

Visiting Artist Residencies

Minnesota State University at Mankato

Visiting Artist - Private Voice Lessons (2003-2005)
Musical Theatre based classes in various techniques for a healthy and strong singing voice.

Visiting Artist - Private Dance Lessons (Spring 2001-2005)

Musical Theatre based movement classes for college and high school students looking to improve their
dance technique skills.

School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community

Stage Combat Instructor (Summer 2015)

Summer training in basic hand to hand combat, safety, martial logic, Shakespeare scene work
 Virginia Commonwealth University Summer Arts Intensive
(Summer 2014)

Stage Combat Instructor - A three week intensive in basic unarmed, rapier and broadsword stage
combat, martial logic and safety

Musical Theatre Assistant - Basic Musical Theatre styles, dance and audition technique

Walla Walla Shakespeare Education Director

(2011-2013)

Created, facilitated and taught multiple week long residencies reaching over 5,000 high school,
middle school, home schooled and underprivileged students in Washington and Oregon States.
Administered through Seattle Shakespeare Co. performances for all available students.

Teaching Areas of Specialization

Musical Theatre Performance

Technique in acting the story through song, finding specificity in vocal and physical choices and
clarity in acting beats, understanding music style and strong acting intention.

Musical Theatre Dance and Choreography

Musical Theatre Dance Styles and Techniques survey, working through historical progression of
Vaudeville, Golden Age, Rock and Jazz, and Contemporary Movement.

Musical Theatre Voice and Singing

Vocal intensive class focusing on Musical Theatre singing styles, vocal health, stretching the
students range using the techniques of Estill Voice.

Musical Theatre History

An examination of the history, historiography, and performance of the American Musical
through lecture, criticism, review and research.

Audition Technique
An examination of the professional audition for all theatrical environments including study in the
skills needed to gain access to the professional world of theatre.
Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Musical Theatre Dance
Classes in all levels of Musical Theatre dance styles from basic storytelling and acting through
song and movement into complicated and advanced dance combinations from all eras and
forms.

Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Jazz

Beginning through Intermediate work in Jazz Dance Technique with a focus on Musicality and
increasing technical proficiency

Beginning Tap
Beginning class developing the skills needed to gain a fundamental knowledge through
consistent repetition and study of the rhythms of tap.

Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Contemporary

Beginning through intermediate work in contemporary dance technique, understanding of its
varied forms and applications and individual aesthetic approach.

Beginning Ballet
Fundamental class working with students to form a firm foundation in Classical Ballet Technique

Movement for the Actor

Expanding students physical range of movement and emotional range of accessibility through
exercises in breath, tempo, rhythm, levels and risk.

Advanced Movement for the Actor

Advanced study of movement for actors emphasizing in strong physical control, flexibility and
various physical performance techniques such as introductory principles of Mask Performance.

Stage Combat/Violence
Introductory and Advanced violence class for students of acting, directing and design focusing on
the skills needed to create logical violence onstage with emphasis in unarmed, rapier/short
sword, broadsword and contemporary violence.
Artistic Achievement

Professional Directing and Choreography

BROADWAY
Amazing Grace Assistant Fight and Movement Director Nederlander Theatre
Gabriel Barre (Dir.)
Chris Gattelli (Chor.)
7-15-15 10-25-15

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Amazing Grace Assistant Fight and Movement Director Bank of America
Theatre.
Fall, 2014

NATIONAL TOUR
Amazing Grace Assistant Fight and Movement Director Troika Entertainment
11-14-17 01-07-18

TONY AWARD WINNING REGIONAL THEATERS

Carousel Mime/Movement Consultant Arena Stage, D.C.
10-28-16 12-24-16

Romeo and Juliet Assistant Movement and Fight Director The Shakespeare
Theatre, D.C.
8-8-16 9-20-16

Mother Courage and Her Children Assistant Choreographer Arena Stage, D.C.
(Starring Kathleen Turner) 1-31-14 3-09-14
REGIONAL THEATERS
Cabaret Choreographer Gesa PowerHouse
Theatre

08-18-17 08-27-17

Joseph and the Dreamcoat Director/Choreographer Big Fork Summer

Playhouse
06-27-17 08-25-17

See Rock City and Other Destinations Director Summer Circle

Theatre

Summer, 2017

A Grand Night for Singing Director/Choreographer Summer Circle

Theatre

Summer, 2016

South Pacific Choreographer Virginia Rep. Theatre

06-26-15 08-09-15

Mame Associate Choreographer, Assistant Director Virginia Rep. Theatre

(Starring Emily Skinner) 11-21-14 01-11-15

9 to 5 Associate Choreographer Riverside Theatre

Patti DBeck (Dir.)
03-07-15 05-03-15

Its a Wonderful Life (A Radio Play) Choreographer Powerhouse Theatre

 Christmas Season
2013

Music Man Director/Choreographer WWCC Summer

Musical

Summer 2013

Romeo and Juliet Choreographer Seattle Shakespeare

Stephanie Shine (Dir.)
Summer, 2012

Godspell Choreographer Highland Summer

Theatre

Summer 2004

Show Boat Choreographer Highland Summer

Theatre

Summer 2004

UNIVERSITY DIRECTING AND CHOREOGRAPHY

We Foxes THR Representative mGen Program
Wharton Center

Fall, 2017

Urinetown Director, Choreographer Michigan State Uni.

Spring, 2017

Temple THR Representative mGen Program

Wharton Center
 Fall, 2016

The Addams Family Musical Assistant Choreographer Virginia

Commonwealth Uni.

Fall 2016

Grease Director, Choreographer Michigan State Uni.

Spring 2016

Arabian Nights Choreographer Virginia

Commonwealth Uni.

Spring 2015

Man of La Mancha Assistant Choreographer Virginia

Commonwealth Uni.

Fall 2014

Bye Bye Birdie Choreographer Walla Walla High

School

Spring 13

Professional Performance Resume

Mame Featured Dancer, Associate Choreographer, Assistant Director Virginia Repertory Theatre
Winter 14

Hairspray - Corny Collins Virginia Commonwealth Univ.

Fall 13
The Hobbit - Bilbo Little Theatre Co.
Spring 13
Its a Wonderful Life-A Radio Play - Clarence & Others Powerhouse Theatre
Fall 13

Romeo and Juliet - Prince/Paris Seattle Shakespeare Co.

Spring 12

Twelve Irish Tenors - Featured Soloist, Emcee London/USA Tour 08 09 11

Hooray for Hollywood Featured Singer, Dancer Kings Castle Theatre

Spring, Summer, Winter 11

Full Monty - Keno Cohoes Music Hall

Fall 09

Dancing Queen - Lead Male Singer Tropicana Resort, Atlantic City

Summer 08

A Chorus Line - Al Deluca Northern Stage

Winter 07

A Chorus Line - Al Deluca Upper East Side Armory, NYC

Marvin Hamlisch (Music Dir.)
Fall 07

A Chorus Line - Mike Costa Evan Ross Prod. /Nemacollin

(Performance with Christina Aguilara, Bette Midler, Robin Williams) Resort
Winter 06

The King and I Ensemble, Featured Dancer Coeur dAlene Summer Theatre
Summer 06

A Chorus Line Al Deluca Coeur dAlene Summer Theatre

Summer 06

Kiss Me, Kate - Bill/Lucentio Carousel Players

Summer 05

Peter Pan - Slightly Carousel Players

Summer 05

Godspell - Jesus Highland Theatre

Summer 04
Beauty and the Beast - Chorus/Featured Dancer Coeur dAlene Summer Theatre
Summer 04

Showboat Fred Highland Theatre

Summer 04
Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Musical) - Tom Sawyer Highland Theatre
Summer 03

West Side Story - Baby John Coeur dAlene Summer Theatre

Summer 03

Oklahoma! - Fred/Featured Dancer Coeur dAlene Summer Theatre

Summer 02

Pippin - Leading Player Little Theatre Co.

Spring 00

Marvins Room - Charlie Harper Joy Theatre

Spring 98

Approaching Zanzibar - Turner Blossom Harper Joy Theatre

Fall 97

Professional Presentations

International and National Workshops

Take it From the Top, Broadway Musical Theatre Workshop

Traverse City Opera House and Wharton Center for the Performing Arts

(Summer 2017) Worked as one of the Broadway Faculty members for the advanced workshop
teaching various musical theatre focused master classes and directing/choreographing a staged
reading of Urinetown and All Shook Up musicals.

Mother Courage and Her Children ( Starring Kathleen Turner)

Arena Stage, Washington D.C.

(Summer 2013) Assistant movement director for Initial week long creative workshop for music and
movement of Mother Courage.

(Winter 2013) Assistant Movement Director and member of workshop group tasked with developing
refined movement and choreographic plans for Mother Courage.
Amazing Grace - A New Musical
(Spring 2014) Workshop member developing initial musical Choreography and Movement.

(Summer 2014) Assistant fight and movement director head of workshop. Refined scene creation in
preparation for New York Rehearsals.

(Fall 2014) Assistant fight and movement director head of second workshop. Refined scene creation in
preparation for New York Rehearsals.

Romeo and Juliet The Shakespeare Theatre, Washington D.C.

(Fall 2016, Summer 2016) Double workshop series at Virginia Commonwealth University under David
Leong and Allen Paul creating the movement and fight language of the show.

Takarazuka - 100 year Anniversary

(Winter 2013) Workshop member developing choreography for 100 women dancers in production
number La Vie en Rose for its performance in Tokyo, Japan.

Freedoms Song The New Musical at Fords Theatre, Washington D.C.

(Winter 2014-2015) Lead workshop member devising large group tableaux work for song The Day the
Sun Stood Still. Formerly Civil War, Freedoms Song, written by Frank Wildhorn, has been revamped for
the Fords Theatre in Washington D.C. under the direction of Jeff Calhoun.

Man of La Mancha The Shakespeare Theatre, Washington D.C.

(Winter 2014-2015) Lead Workshop member responsible for creating/devising the stage combat and
movement for the production. Primary involvement was teaching and integrating music analysis,
organization and devising leader for workshop spanning multiple days.

Matahari - Seoul, South Korea World Premiere

(Winter 2014 Summer 2015) Workshop member involved in creating the choreography for Frank
Wildhorns new Musical Matahari set to open in Seoul, South Korea in the New Year 2016.
 Conference Presentations
Ten Most Commonly Used Musical Theatre Dance Steps Lead Instructor at South
Eastern Theatre Conference (Spring 2015) and at Michigan Educational Theatre Association (Fall
2015)
Dance class for the beginning to intermediate dancer who would like to improve their musical theatre
dance technique and retention following ten common steps that are then built into a final dance
sequence.

Musical Theatre Styles Dance (Intermediate) Lead Instructor at Michigan Educational

Theatre Association (Fall 2015)
Dance Class for Meta students covering an intermediate style-based combination from Urinetown the
Musical.

Creating Your Character Through Movement - Instructor at South Eastern Theatre

Conference (Spring 2015)
Movement based workshop involving Lecoq Mask work, Noh Theatre energy/breathing techniques and
Chekov acting theory to help actors find a rubric for a new creation of a character.

Honors and Awards

AT&T Faculty-Staff Instructional Technology Award, 1st Place for DAN 352: Dance
Technique II, Spring 2017
Nominated for Best Musical, Best Choreography and Best Musical Direction for the
Lansing City Pulsar Awards Spring 2017
Best Choreography Grease MSU Department of Theatre, Lansing Pulsar Award Fall
2016
Richmond Theatre Critics Award for Best Choreography South Pacific Fall 2015
Graduate Teaching Assistantship award Virginia Commonwealth University 2015
Helen Hayes Excellence in Choreography Nomination for Mother Courage and Her
Children 2014
Blethan Fine Arts Award Minnesota State University at Mankato 2004
 KCACTF Region V Semi-Finalist 2002, nominated every year at MSU (2000-2004)
Theatre Talent Grant Fall Minnesota State University at Mankato 2000
Esary Trust Award for Excellence in Theatre Spring 2000
Dance Dimension Northwest Winner of Musical Theatre and Modern Dance Small
Group Categories 2000

Professional Service

National Service

Current Member of National Alliance for Musical Theatres New Works in

Musical Theatre for Universities Online Content Creation Team.
-with Rick Edinger, Shenandoah University
-and Stephan Brotebeck, San Diego State University
Summer 2017 to Present

Attended National Alliance for Musical Theatre Conference as a representative

for the Department of Theatre, MSU and the mGen program
New York City
October 2016

Directing and the Double Sided Coin Guest Teacher for Toledo University
Directing Class
08-29-2016

Regional Service

Jazz Dance Guest Master Class Instructor for Dance Lansing

07-10-17

Newsies, Musical Theatre Dance Master Class, Dance Lansing Co.

07-16-17
Hamilton, Musical Theatre Dance Master Class, Dance Lansing Co.
08-22-17

Bei Mir Bist Du Schon Choreographer for HappenDance

Okemos, MI
08-22-17 to Present

Musical Theatre Styles Dance Master Class for HappenDance Co.

Okemos, MI
05-23-16 and 06-28-16

Michigan Educational Theatre Association Presenter and Adjudicator

Fall 2015 and Fall 2016
-Top 10 Musical Theatre Dance Steps
-Musical Theatre Styles Dance Snuff that Girl Urinetown
-Musical Theatre Styles Dance Too Darn Hot Kiss me Kate!
-Contemporary Violence for Actors and Directors

ACTF Adjudicator/Responder Oklahoma at Central Michigan University

11-12-15

University Service

College Committees

College Curriculum Committee Member

College of Arts and Letters
Spring 2017 to Present

Department Committees

Graduate Hearing Board Committee Member

Department of Theatre MSU
Fall 2017 to Present
Committee Member for Academic Specialist Dave Wendelbergers
reappointment process in the continuing academic specialist system.
Department of Theatre MSU
Spring 2017

Ad Hoc Committee for THR 111L and THR 300 Practicum Credit Organization and
Communication
Department of Theatre MSU
Spring 2017

Created the Musical Theater Touring Company, Department of Theatre MSU

culminating in Performance for the Friends of Theatre Gala at the Wharton
Center
Spring 2017, 05-10-17

Musical Theatre Voice Faculty Search Committee Member

Spring 2016

Undergraduate Hearing Board Committee Member

Department of Theatre MSU
Fall 2015

Revising Visiting Artist Contract Committee Member

Department of Theatre MSU
Fall 2015

University Collaborations

Directed the Ovation Awards for Wharton Center

-Featuring the talent in contest form of Michigan High school students
May 2016
Flint, MI Outreach through Urinetown
Spring 2017
1. Flint Youth Theatre
The cast of Urinetown provided a master class in movement devising for the cast of 13 on
April 25 th at the Flint Youth Theatre. We are providing free tickets to anyone from FYT to
come and see our show, tour backstage and have a talk back after the show during opening
weekend of Urinetown.

2. Pasant Lobby Display

Geri Alumit Zeldes from the Journalism Department in the College of Communication
Arts and Sciences

3.Beth Stuever from MSU Extension collaboration

Provided large banners that inform the audiences of the great work that MSU extension has
been doing and continues to do for the people of Flint. MSU Extension is also providing
two members of their team to be involved in the symposium

4. Mary Jo Herbig, the Director of Communications from the Community

Foundation of Greater Flint
5. Advertising Department in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences
W orking with students from Henry Brimmer's Advertising classes in the College
of Communication Arts and Sciences to create an artistic response to the timeline of the
Flint crisis.

6. Created and Organized the Flint Water Crisis Symposium

04-22-16 Pasant Theatre
Symposium Participants
Laura Sullivan: Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Kettering University

Benjamin Pauli: Assistant Professor of Liberal Studies, Kettering University

Melissa Mays: Flint Clean W ater Advocate and founder of W ater You Fighting For?

Desiree Duelle: Flint based Artist and Community Activist

Erin Powell: MSU Extension Dietitian

Deanna East: MSU Extension Associate Director for Health and Nutrition

Judge for Wharton Center Ovation Awards

06-16-16
Created CLI Studios online collaboration and promotional video for DAN 352
Video showing MSU dancers gathered over 30,000 views on Facebook in one
week
Spring 2016

Organized Professional Summer Stock Auditions for Department of Theatre

Musical Theatre Students, Mason Street Warehouse Summer Professional
Company
Spring 2016

Dancing Computer Research Group Member

Created by Professor Alison Dobbins
Fall/Spring 2015, 2016

Grandparents University Instructor

Summer 2016

Chaperoned and Organized Senior Showcase in New York City

Department of Theatre MSU Seniors
March, 2016

MSU Homecoming Parade Judge

Fall 2015

Certifications

Estill Voice Dr. Kim Steinhauer

Certified Figure Proficient (CFP) June 25, 2016

Certified Unarmed Stage Combat Kevin Inouye, David S. Leong

Certified Broadsword Stage Combat Kevin Inouye, David S. Leong.

Knife Mark Guinn

15 SPT hours completed (Summer 16)
Rapier and Dagger Kevin Inouye
10 SPT hours completed (Spring 14)
All combat certifications completed with SAFD Basic Pass

Specialized Training

Musical Theatre Dance Michele Lynch, Dana Moore, Louis Villabon, Michael Mindlin, Ed
Cresly
Primary environment for dance study at Broadway Dance Center and Steps in New York
City

Afro-Caribbean Dance - Julie Kerr-Barry

Multiple workshops with University Repertory Dance Company and Minneapolis based
Afro-Caribbean Dance groups

Belly Dance/Egyptian Dance Shari Bennet-Speer

Workshop intensive on the basic cultural styles of Belly Dancing, Forms, Choreography,
Silk work and devising.

Synetic Theatre Physical Theatre Training Paata Tsikurishvili, Alex Mills

Master Class under founders of world renowned physical theatre company Synetic
Theatre. Class focused on deft physical theatre training, mime, physical identification,
and surrealistic devising.

Pilabolus Dance Master Class Robby Barnett

Master Class under Associate Director of Choreography and Artistic Director Robby
Barnett at Dartmouth College

Estill Voice Level 1 and Level 2 Dr. Kim Steinhauer

Week long Intensive at California University working towards certification in Estill Voice
Figures.

Mask, Mime and Movement - Dr. Aaron A. Anderson, David Leong

Graduate classwork delving into the many forms of Mask work and Pedagogy including
Neutral, Larval, Character, Half, Commedia Del arte, Mime and Clown nose.
Unarmed, Broadsword - Kevin Inouye ,
SAFD certification classes with 30 hours of work in the proper form, function and martial
logic of the above fighting styles.

Single Sword/Saber/Rapier and Dagger Kevin Inouye

Master class in the martial logic, pedagogy and forms of the above fighting styles

Knife Training Marc Guinn

15 hours of training in SAFD knife

British Manual at Arms, Civil War Manual at Arms Susan Warr

Specialized training in Pre-revolutionary British Military tactics for Amazing Grace and
Freedoms Song.

*Experienced in many forms of wood working, carpentry, welding, masonry, painting, electrical
and plumbing Connecticut Investment Co., SilverNail Construction Co., and Brad Hansen
Roofing and Construction Co.

Affiliations

Member of Actors Equity Association

Associate member of Society of Directors and Choreographers
National Alliance for Musical Theatre, New Works in University Development Committee
Member of Society of American Fight Directors
Official Estill Voice International Representative as Certified Figure Proficient
South Eastern Theatre Conference Member/Presenter
Member of Association for Theatre in Higher Education
Former Vice President of the Guild of Graduate Students at Virginia Commonwealth
University
Member of Kennedy Center Acting College Theatre Festival Region III (Adjudicator for
Central Michigan Universitys performance of Oklahoma)