You think you've had a busy summer? The undergraduates in the Musical Theatre program at Shenandoah University are taking what they've been taught and applying it in the real world, all over the United States.

Here is a sample of how Musical Theatre majors at Shenandoah Conservatory spent their "summer break"

Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre

Winchester, Virginia

Senior Christopher Castanho (middle) and Junior Ashley Knaack (right) in SSMT's production of Sweeney Todd. C. King Photography

In operation since 1984, Broadway actors from J. Robert Spencer to Aaron Galligan-Stierle have enertained Virginian audiences at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. Shenandoah's own regional summer stock company, created by Hal Herman, produces four musical productions every summer. This year there were a bunch of ShenCo Musical Theatre students taking the stage in My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, The Pirates of Penzance, and Little Shop of Horrors. Seniors: Christopher Castanho, Jordan Leigh McCaskill, and Adia J. Seckel joined Juniors: Alex Boyd, Madelyn Pyles, Chris Godshall, and Ashley Knaack. Junior Emma Benson served as the merchandise manager and also was a brilliant publicist: filming and editing promotional videos for the final three productions this summer. Actors were put to the challenge of working 'summer stock style': rehearsing one show during the day and performing another at night.

Millbrook Playhouse

Mill Hall, Pennsylvania

Junior Kali Hanes (Back Center) as "Regina" and the ensemble of "Rock of Ages" at Millbrook Playhouse. Photo by Amy Cuccaro.

Juniors Kali Hanes and Alex Beard were given the chance to jam out in Rock of Ages and make a splash in The Little Mermaid this summer at Millbrook Playhouse in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania. Hanes is no stranger to the Millbrook stage as she starred as Dorothy in Millbrook's 2014 production of The Wizard of Oz. This is Alex's first time working at the Playhouse and is currently rockin' as Joey Primo. Robert W. Schneider directed the Tony nominated rock musical, and has worked on the recent Sweeney Todd Concert Production with Emma Thompson, also at Cabrillo Music Theatre (where fellow Junior Michael Kennedy is working this summer.)

Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts

Columbia, Maryland

Dransfield (left) as Erris Tanharrrow in the premiere of "Magic Under Glass" A rock musical. Photography by Jeri Tidwell Photography.

This summer Sophomore Stephen Dransfield was able to check "create a role in an original musical" off his bucket list. Performing the 'fantasy rock musical' at the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts under co-direction of Helen Hayes Award winner: Toby Orenstein and Jessica Binder, Dransfield learned how much time and effort goes into creating a new musical. Author Jacyln Dolamore of the fantasy book "Magic Under Glass" and Composer Michael Francis Kline first approached Stephen during the summer of 2015 to record a couple songs and vocalize some of the written dialogue. Take a look at some video footage of Stephen's experience originating his character: Erris.

GetUp Stage Company

New Britain, Connecticut

Lincavicks (center) as Roxie Hart and the ensemble of GeUp Stage Company's production of "Chicago"

Incoming freshman Reilly Lincavicks is spending her summer playing the coveted role of Roxie Hart in Kander and Ebb's famous musical Chicago. GetUp Stage Company is a fairly new company in Connecticut, founded in 2010, with the mission of being a nonprofit organization that provides professional-quality theater education to young adults. Having attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts for Musical Theatre, Lincavicks is no stranger to the Connecticut theatre community: "I have really enjoyed reconnecting with actors I have not worked with in years." She says. "It has been nice tackling such a classic show with both new and familiar faces. " Chicago runs August 11th-August 13th. Get your tickets now.

True Acting Institute

Salem, Oregon

McCourt (Center Red Hair) at the True Acting Institute with teacher Larry Silverberg (Pictured Right) Photo by Abbi Manoucheri

Senior Kaila McCourt studied at the True Acting Institute in Salem, Oregon this past summer. After 4 weeks of vigorous training, with acting classes 6 days a week, Ms. McCourt obtained a certificate for the acting technique famously known as "Meisner". The program is taught by Shenandoah Conservatory's very own Larry Silverberg. Collaborating with artists from Italy, Southern Africa, Thailand, and more Kaila was able to establish a plethora of artistic connections in addition to bonding with her fellow students in a truthful way.

Cabrillo Music Theatre

Thousand Oaks, California

Kennedy (right) as Flounder in Cabrillo Music Theatre's production of "The Little Mermaid". Ed Krieger Photography

Junior Michael Kennedy spent a lot of time "under the sea" this summer, as Flounder in Disney's The Little Mermaid at Cabrillo Music Theatre. Leading the production, was director Larry Raben, a Broadway veteran best known for his work in the original production of The Producers and the 2003 regional production of Chaplin as the titular role. Having previously worked at Cabrillo, being in their 2008 production of "The King and I", it was comforting to return to a familiar space, especially so close to home. Michael had a lot fun developing a more fantastical character, unlike to what he has done in the past on stage. Read more about his experience from this interview on Broadway World.

Stage Right

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Lenz (Center) as "Judas" with Stage Right's cast of "Godspell" Photo by: Dr. Dennis Jerz

Senior Nick Lenz had the privilege of performing and teaching this summer at Stage Right, a professional theatre company and school for the performing arts in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Instructing dance classes like Tap, Modern, and Jazz he was reminded of the importance of technique and foundation. In addition to classes he also choreographed a handful of musicals, to name a few: The Addams Family, High School Musical, and Pinkalicious. Not forgetting his love of performing, Lenz portrayed "Judas" in Stephen Schwartz's biblical musical: Godspell, for which he also choreographed.

Flat Rock Playhouse

Flat Rock, North Carolina

Bigelow (Center Dark Suit) performing in Flat Rock Playhouse's production of "9 to 5" Treadshots--Photography by Scott Treadway

Zachary Michael Bigelow will be a junior this fall and spent his second summer as an Apprentice at Flat Rock Playhouse. Zachary performed in both The Music Man and 9 to 5. Flat Rock has proven to be a great opportunity to work with industry gurus, like Chase Brock who directed Meredith Wilson's classic musical at the North Carolina state theater. Brock is known for being the original choreographer of Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off The Darkand choreographer of Paper Mill Playhouse's recent production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.You can still catch Mr. Bigelow at the Playhouse, as "9 to 5" runs until August 20th: Get your tickets here.

From performing at regional theaters, to teaching classes, to studying their craft, Shenandoah Musical Theatre students kept very busy this summer.

*This article was inspired by Odyssey writer and Texas State Musical Theatre Student Maggie Bera, who wrote an article entitled "What Are Texas State Musical Theatre Students Up To This Summer?"*