Our History

Muir Musical was launched in 1991 by a Muir College sophomore, Orren Webber, who had a vision to provide an outlet for students interested in musical theatre who were not necessarily theatre majors.

Before graduating, Orren directed the Muir Musical’s first three productions: Pippin, Into the Woods, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Except for one single-year hiatus, the Muir Musical has put on a full-scale Broadway musical production every year since its inception.

The legacy that Mr. Webber created has had a significant impact on the UC San Diego campus and in the lives of the thousands of students who work in or enjoy its productions each year. Today, Muir Musical's productions are considered annual arts events that bring UCSD students, faculty, staff, and community members together.

A testament to Muir Musical's values can be found buried in the floorboards of a favorite on-campus coffee shop, Muir Woods. There, a program from Jesus Christ Superstar lies in a 2018 Muir College time capsule, along with other items that were selected for their optimal representation of Muir College and UC San Diego culture. The program, filled with heartfelt notes from a team of over 60 students, will not be unearthed until 2067.

After our production of Pippin was tragically canceled in 2020 due to safety concerns in the ongoing pandemic, Muir Musical produced our first-ever original show, a song cycle titled Project Symphony, and produced our first full-scale digital musical with Big Fish in May 2021.

Our 2021-22 season marked our biggest season yet with over 200 students taking part in A Chorus Line and American Idiot. In Spring 2022, Muir Musical staged a Showcase that provided opportunities for students to direct, choreograph, and perform in a variety of pieces from musicals like Six, Sunday in the Park with George, and Moulin Rouge. We look forward to continuing our legacy into the future - creating incredible musicals for our audience to enjoy and empowering opportunities for all young creatives to experiment.