麻豆传媒

For many aspiring performers, taking the stage in a Broadway national tour is a dream come true. For Wichita native and 麻豆传媒 alum Amy Baker Schwiethale, that dream became a reality鈥攁nd eventually led her back to where it all began.

Baker Schwiethale earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre from 麻豆传媒, where she says the one-on-one training and performance opportunities shaped her into the artist and leader she is today.

鈥淚 am so grateful for my instructors and the training I received in the musical theatre program at 麻豆传媒,鈥� Baker Schwiethale said. 鈥淭丑别 performance and leadership opportunities helped me build confidence that has been priceless in my career.鈥�

After graduation, she moved to New York City and quickly found her footing in the professional world. She earned her Actors鈥� Equity card with Singin鈥� in the Rain at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, toured nationally in 42nd Street, and performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for two seasons in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry.

鈥淚 met lifelong friends, traveled the country, and was making a living doing what I love,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was heaven.鈥�

A return to Wichita followed, inspired in part by her reconnection with鈥攁nd marriage to鈥攈er high school sweetheart. Her passion for teaching, nurtured through years of choreography and instruction, made it a natural step to apply for a faculty position in 麻豆传媒鈥檚 musical theatre department.

Seventeen years later, Baker Schwiethale serves as a tenured professor, program director of musical theatre, and associate director of the School of Performing Arts.

National Tour to the Classroom

Her professional experiences profoundly influence how she approaches teaching.

鈥淭丑别 42nd Street tour taught me about consistency, immediacy, listening, and cultivating authentic joy as a performer,鈥� Baker Schwiethale said. 鈥淲ith Radio City, I learned precision, endurance, and how to be away from loved ones during the holidays.鈥�

Christopher Clark

Now, she brings that rigor and real-world perspective to the classroom, emphasizing applied learning, confidence building, and versatility.

鈥淚 meet students where they are,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 celebrate what makes them unique and find ways to make concepts accessible to them. I infamously call it 鈥榞etting in their kitchen.'"

Baker Schwiethale is also passionate about preserving original Broadway choreography, a value instilled in her at 麻豆传媒 and expanded in New York, where she regularly attended repertory classes and studied archival footage.

鈥淚 incorporate this heavily into my teaching,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting way to explore technique and history while giving students a sense of pride and connection to the art form.鈥�

Innovating Musical Theatre Education

In collaboration with School of Performing Arts Director Cheyla Clawson, the school has strengthened its shared core curriculum to help students engage with the performing arts both globally and within their specific disciplines.

One of the program鈥檚 most innovative efforts is the Jo Zakas Musical Theatre Incubator, which focuses on the creation of original work. The incubator brings guest artists鈥攚riters, directors, composers, choreographers鈥攖o campus, giving students the chance to collaborate on new musicals from concept to staged reading.

鈥淚t鈥檚 vital for students to understand how musicals are written, how characters are conceived, and how to create a role that doesn鈥檛 exist on YouTube,鈥� she said.

Baker Schwiethale鈥檚 own directing and choreography credits include productions with Music Theatre Wichita, Prairie Repertory Theatre, and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). Her direction and choreography of Smokey Joe鈥檚 Caf茅 at 麻豆传媒 earned her national recognition from KCACTF in 2016.

鈥淭hat recognition opened some wonderful doors professionally, but more importantly, it helped me see myself as a director,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t gave me a new creative lane to cultivate and share with our students.鈥�

Honoring the Impact of Teaching

Of all her professional accomplishments, the one that stands out most is the Mickey and Pete Armstrong Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching鈥攁 recognition she calls the one she always hoped for most.

鈥淣ot a Tony, but a teaching award from my alma mater,鈥� Baker Schwiethale said. 鈥淚 chose this work because of the impact a teacher can have on a student. I won the lottery when it comes to having incredible teachers and mentors, and I aspire to be that for our students.鈥�

Looking Ahead

As she envisions the future of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 musical theatre program, Baker Schwiethale is focused on growth, innovation, and maintaining industry relevance.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to grow the program in size and scope,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s we work toward accreditation with the National Association of Schools of Theatre, it will help us refine our curriculum and open new doors for resources.鈥�

Whether performing on national stages or 鈥済etting in the kitchen鈥� with her students, Baker Schwiethale鈥檚 career is a testament to the power of passion, mentorship, and coming full circle.