Program Description
The Musical Theatre concentration of the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree hones students' performance skills, in acting, voice and dance.
Delivery Mode
Traditional (on campus)
Accreditation and Affiliation
This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
It has also earned Educational Affiliate status with Estill Voice International®. Students can elect to pursue their Certificate of Proficiency in EVT prior to graduation.
Curriculum
The following eight-semester schedule of courses provides a recommended framework for completing this program of study in four years.
| Course | Credits |
| Freshman Year | |
| First Semester | 16 |
| DAN 131 Foundations of Dance | 3 |
| ENG 101 English Composition I | 3 |
| MUS 104 Voice Class (recommended Fine Arts Gen Ed) | 3 |
| THE 140 Script Analysis (recommended EMEL Gen Ed) | 3 |
| THE 141 Stagecraft I | 3 |
| UNI 100 First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| Second Semester | 15 |
| THE 131 Fundamentals of Acting | 3 |
| THE 150 Introduction to Theatrical Design | 3 |
| THE 401 Finding Your Voice (recommended elective) | 3 |
| General Education, Minor OR Elective Courses | 6 |
| Sophomore Year | |
| Third Semester | 15 |
| THE 302 History of Theatre I | 3 |
| Musical Theatre Core Course(s) | 3 |
| General Education, Minor OR Elective Courses |
9 |
| Fourth Semester | 15 |
| THE 312 History of Theatre II | 3 |
| THE 431 Acting in Musical Theatre (recommended elective) | 3 |
| Musical Theatre Core Course(s) | 3 |
| General Education, Minor OR Elective Courses | 6 |
| Junior Year | |
| Fifth Semester | 15 |
| CMD 221 Speech Science (recommended Natural Science Gen Ed) | 3 |
| THE 304 World Drama OR ENG 425 Shakespeare OR THE 306 Modern Drama | 3 |
| THE 320 Fundamentals of Directing | 3 |
| Musical Theatre Core Course(s) | 3 |
| General Education, Minor OR Elective Courses | 3 |
| Sixth Semester | 15 |
| MUS 211 Keyboard Class (recommended elective) | 3 |
| Musical Theatre Core Course(s) | 3 |
| General Education, Minor OR Elective Courses | 9 |
| Senior Year | |
| Seventh Semester | 15 |
| Musical Theatre Core Course(s) | 3 |
| General Education, Minor OR Elective Courses | 12 |
| Eighth Semester | 15 |
| THE 450 Senior Thesis | 3 |
| General Education, Minor OR Elective Courses | 12 |
| Total | 120 |
Program Requirements
Theatre Core Courses (27 credits)
- DAN 131 Foundations of Dance
- THE 131 Fundamentals of Acting
- THE 141 Stagecraft I
- THE 150 Introduction to Theatrical Design
- THE 302 History of Theatre I
- THE 304 World Drama OR ENG 425 Shakespeare OR THE 306 Modern Drama
- THE 312 Theatre History II
- THE 320 Fundamentals of Directing
- THE 450 Senior Thesis
Required Musical Theatre Core (15 credits)
Select from the following:
- DAN 132 Ballet Technique
- DAN 134 Tap Technique I
- DAN 133 Jazz Technique I
- DAN 233 Jazz Technique II
- DAN 260 Modern Dance
- DAN 301 Theatre Dance I
- DAN 302 Theatre Dance II
- MUS 215 Comprehensive Musicianship I
- THE 126 Makeup I
- THE 145-445 Private Instruction (4 credits)
- THE 203 Musical Theatre Performance I
- THE 255 Puppetry
- THE 303 Musical Theatre Performance II
- THE 403 Musical Theatre Performance III
- THE 356 Practicum: Technical Practicum (3 to 6 credits)
Additional Electives/Minor (38 credits)
Recommended:
- MUS 211 Keyboard Class
- THE 401 Finding Your Voice
- THE 431 Acting in Musical Theatre
Recommended General Education Courses
- CDC 201 Argumentation and Advocacy (Public Speaking)
- CMD 221 Speech Science (Natural Sciences)
- HSC 315 First Aid and Personal Safety (Health and Wellness)
- MUS 104 Voice Class (Fine Arts)
- PSY 100 General Psychology OR PSY 211 Social Psychology (Social Sciences)
- THE 140 Script Analysis (Ethics and Multicultural Awareness)
- THE 480 Digital Performance (Technological Literacy)
Special Recommendations
A minor in art, arts administration, event planning, music, psychology, sociology or social work is recommended for those majoring in theatre.
Program Webpage
https://www.calu.edu/academics/undergraduate/bachelors/musical-theater/