The BA in Musical Theatre offers training in acting, dance techniques and styles, voice and musicianship, character and ensemble, voice and movement, and theatre history. Our approach emphasizes the synthesis of acting, singing, and dancing in musical theatre performance. Students are encouraged to put into practice what they learn 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 theatre 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 theatre. In addition, the program encourages students to take elective courses in related areas, such as directing, stage management, design, marketing and management, on-camera acting, and voiceover performance. This pragmatic approach prepares students to face the challenging realities of making a life in the performing arts.
As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:
- inhabit a role as cast, demonstrating the ability to use research, text and score analysis, rehearsal, and exploration;
- exhibit foundational vocal technique, musicianship, and song interpretation skills;
- articulate fundamental dance terminology and demonstrate technique in ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theatre styles as an additional means of furthering the dramatic life of a scene;
- communicate a thorough knowledge of musical theatre repertory and history;
- effectively utilize the body and voice as the actor’s instruments of communication; and
- model a broad understanding of musical theatre performance as theatrical art and craft and how it intersects with other theatrical disciplines.
