The Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater Performance Major provides a rigorous, intensive, professionally oriented education in the skills and discipline of musical theater. Working closely with the Music Department, we emphasize the synthesis of acting, singing, and dancing in order to prepare students for the demands of a field in which the “triple threat” performer often gets the job. Students take a sequence of courses in acting and theater history, dance techniques and styles, and singing and musicianship, as well as courses that integrate the individual areas of study.

At every opportunity, students are encouraged to put into practice what they are learning in the classroom through hands-on engagement in the preparation and presentation of performances produced in the department.

Students are encouraged to audition for musical theater productions and non-musical plays. In the classroom, students work with a faculty of professionals in the field, who bring their expertise to the art, craft, and business of the theater. This pragmatic approach prepares students to face the challenging realities of making a life in the performing arts.

Students graduate with knowledge of how to look for work, with the desire and ability to do the work, and with an understanding of the need to grow as an artist beyond graduation as they pursue a career in professional musical theater or study at the graduate level.

BFA students are regularly evaluated to monitor their escalating levels of achievement, and faculty members meet regularly with students to discuss progress and suggest directions for growth. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major and demonstrate continued development in order to continue in the BFA program.

Students must maintain standards of performance.

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