Major: Musical Theatre 

Year: Junior 

Hometown: LeClaire, Iowa 

Advice to New Students: My advice for a prospective student considering Viterbo would be to visit campus and talk to current students! There are so many people to reach out to and see on campus. After I did my campus visit, I knew Viterbo would be my new home. 

Favorite Class: Tap 3 with Emily Craver or MUTH Lab with Brittany Bara. There are so many other classes I have enjoyed but these two were so much fun to be a part of! 

Favorite Viterbo Tradition: One of my favorite Viterbo traditions is in the winter when multiple groups on campus get together and have a formal dance! It is so much fun to get dressed up and hang out with friends! 

More About Braeden

“I first fell in love with theatre back in middle school. It gave me space to be creative in so many different ways, whether I was on stage performing or working behind the scenes. By the time I reached high school, I knew I wanted to pursue musical theatre in college. When I discovered that Viterbo offered a dance minor, I was excited to add that to my plan. And after spending the last two years working in the costume shop, I uncovered a new passion that led me to declare a second minor in theatre design and technology.

This fall, I’ll be stepping into a new leadership role as a junior representative on Student Government Association. I’m also a member of the Viterbo Film Club and the Student Theatre Project, where I serve on the executive board as managing director. I work for WAVU (Weekends at VU) planning fun on- and off-campus events, and I’m thrilled to return as an orientation leader this fall. Welcoming the incoming first-year students is something I absolutely love.

One of the biggest reasons I chose Viterbo was because of the amazing conservatory programs. I wanted a university that would give me opportunities to grow and perform, and I found that here. But it wasn’t just the program that won me over. During my campus visit, something just clicked. Viterbo felt like home in a way no other school did.

What’s made that feeling even stronger is the incredible sense of hospitality I’ve experienced. The staff and students here truly care. I’ve met lifelong friends and have learned so much from faculty who genuinely invest in their students. People like Jen Brown, Benjamin Gonzales, Emily Craver, and Brittany Bara have shaped me in ways I’ll always be grateful for.

One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had at Viterbo was serving as costume designer for the fall 2024 production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. It was my first major design opportunity, and I poured my heart into it. That show helped me discover that I don’t have to choose between performing and technical theatre—I can do both.”

Explore the Program

Learn more about Viterbo’s musical theatre program, where rigorous training meets meaningful performance opportunities, preparing you for a vibrant career on stage and beyond.