The BFA in Musical Theatre Performance provides rigorous, intensive, pre-professional education in the skills and disciplines of musical theatre. We emphasize the synthesis of acting, singing and musicianship, dance technique and styles, and theatre history in order to prepare students for the demands of a field that values the contributions of a “triple threat” performer. Our program capacities are intentionally small to ensure individual attention, honing both the skills of the solo player as well as ensuring a strong commitment to an ensemble ethos.

BFA students are encouraged to put into practice what they learn in the classroom through the preparation and presentation of performances produced in the department.  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 theatre, with an emphasis on the ongoing need to grow as an artist if they choose to pursue a career in professional musical theatre.

BFA students are regularly evaluated to monitor their levels of achievement, progress and suggest directions for growth. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the major, complete performance requirements, and demonstrate continued development in order to continue in the BFA program.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:

• inhabit a psychologically and physically credible character through research, text analysis, rehearsal and exploration, and synthesize characterization onstage as an actor, singer and dancer;
• exhibit strong musicianship skills and vocal technique, and demonstrate song interpretation and musical role preparation abilities in a wide variety of styles and formats;
• demonstrate strong dance technique and articulate terminology in ballet, jazz, tap and musical theatre styles as an additional means of characterization that further the dramatic life of the scene;
• effectively communicate through speech and writing an advanced knowledge of musical theatre repertory and history;
• develop a strategy for entering the profession and sustaining a career through the creation of a business model for self-management as a performer/theatre maker; and
• articulate a knowledge of contemporary performance practice that deepens their skill set and broadens their professional opportunities.