Dave Wendelberger

wendelbe@msu.edu
(517) 355-6691

FacultyTheatre

Academic Specialist
Musical Theatre

Biography

Dave Wendelberger, Musical Theatre faculty, received his BFA in Acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and his MFA in Acting from Michigan State University. At each of these institutions he has multiple credits as an accompanist as well as musical director.

He worked in Chicago as an actor, an accompanist and a vocal coach. His coaching work has assisted numerous performers with their audition process from selecting music and making cuts, to coaching the song and polishing acting choices. Wendelberger has performed with multiple shows/venues including Navy Pier, Second City, Stage 773, Public House Theatre, LaughingStock: The Chicago Comedy Music Festival, Chicago Women’s Funny Fest. In Michigan, he has collaborated with Paul Canaan and his arts education program: Take It From the Top.

Highlights as Musical Director in the Department of Theatre include For Tonight, a new musical, We Foxes, Carrie: The Musical, Urinetown the Musical, See Rock City & Other Destinations and American Idiot.

University News

College Celebrates Accomplishments of 2023 Promoted Faculty
Published September 20, 2023 in College of Arts & Letters
Outdoor clock tower.
This year, 20 faculty members within the College of Arts & Letters have received promotions. The success of these individuals was celebrated during the 2023 Faculty and Staff…Read now »
MSU Department of Theatre Announces 2022-2023 Season
Published August 5, 2022 in College of Arts & Letters
Theatre Poster
Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre announces its 2022-2023 season, which focuses on the exploration and celebration of community.  “These scripts are intended to provoke…Read now »
Theatre Students Workshop New Musical at Wharton Center
Published April 29, 2021 in College of Arts & Letters
Throughout the Spring 2021 semester, the Michigan State University Department of Theatre Musical Theatre classes focused on workshopping a new musical by composer Joshua Salzman and lyricist Ryan…Read now »
Musical Theatre Class Embodies Resilience for Final Project
Published June 1, 2020 in College of Arts & Letters
four images of a zoom call of students singing
At the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester, Musical Theatre students in MSU’s Department of Theatre expected to finish the academic year with some intense scene work that would…Read now »
Department of Theatre Announces 2019-2020 Season
Published September 12, 2019 in College of Arts & Letters
Poster with white background. Theres an outline of a lightbulb with the words "Invention and Reinvention" written across it. There a few wooden puzzle pieces in the bottom right corner, a typewriter in the bottom left corner, and a clock in the upper lefthand corner
The Michigan State University Department of Theatre announces its 2019-2020 Season, which focuses on invention and reinvention, adaptations of…Read now »
MSU Theatre Rakes in Pulsar Award Nominations
Published July 24, 2019 in College of Arts & Letters
Ariel shot of a group of eight women wearing dresses on a stage
MSU’s Department of Theatre’s 2018-2019 Season received 31 nominations for Pulsar Awards and walked away with seven of those awards, the most of…Read now »
10th Annual Friends of Theatre Gala Gets Broadway Boost
Published April 18, 2019 in College of Arts & Letters
group of four people who are dressed in formal attire and are holding colorful hats in the air in front of a red curtain
The Michigan State Univeristy Friends of Theatre invite the public to attend the Friends of Theatre Gala on Tuesday, May 7, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wharton Center for…Read now »
Theatre Department Presents the American Classic ‘Oklahoma!’
Published February 11, 2019 in College of Arts & Letters
inside of a building with archways and lantern-like lights and checkered floors
Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre presents Oklahoma! February 15-17 and 19-24 at the Fairchild Theater. An American classic and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s…Read now »
Department of Theatre Announces 2018-2019 Season
Published September 12, 2018 in College of Arts & Letters
Black and white graphic titled "Breaking Down Borders"
Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre is “Breaking Down Borders,” the theme of its 2018-2019 season, in which the department will present plays with meaning and…Read now »
Divergent Voices Theme of 2017-2018 Department of Theatre Season
Published May 25, 2017 in College of Arts & Letters
graphic grid of theatre posters
In a time where debate may be equivalent to yelling, where respect means only similar points of view, where we all seem to only agree on disagreement, theatre must do what it was created to do:…Read now »
New MSU Musical Theatre Touring Company to Premiere
Published April 24, 2017 in College of Arts & Letters
performers performing on stage
Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre announces its new Musical Theatre Touring Company, which will have its premiere at the Friends of Theatre “A Bite of Broadway” gala on…Read now »
Summer Circle Theatre Announces Its 57th Season
Published March 2, 2017 in College of Arts & Letters
Summer Circle Theatre outside kresge art center
Summer Circle Theatre returns this June for its 57th season and will take you on a journey across the United States (with a detour to Neverland). So, pack your bags and explore the entire…Read now »