B.F.A Musical Theatre - Department of Theatre & Dance

B.F.A. Musical Theatre

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre is specifically designed to combine classroom lessons with practical production experience; both are integral in the development of actors during the four-year educational process. Classroom experiences provide a theoretical, historical, and critical examination of theatre. Production experiences provide each student with practical opportunities for exploring theories. Performers must learn to work cooperatively with many other artists and craftspeople in the full scope of a theatrical production. The BFA degree in Musical Theatre is designed for students interested in a professional performance career.

Course of Study Requirements

The Musical Theatre degree requires substantial work in acting, voice, dance and music.

Voice and Acting (35 credits)

TH 141, Acting I
TH 142, Acting II
TH 240, Voice for the Stage
TH 241, Advanced Voice
TH 345, Acting: Advanced Scene Study
TH 446, Acting: Musical Stage I
TH 447, Acting: Musical Stage II
Acting/Applied voice electives (6 credits)
8 credits applied voice or 1 credit a semester at MU

Dance and Movement (16 credits)

TH 145, Beginning Movement I
TH 146, Beginning Movement II
Ballet-4 semesters, the first 4 in the program
Tap (2 credits)
Jazz (2 credits)
DA 446, Theatre Dance I
DA 447, Theatre Dance II

Musical Support (18 credits)

MT 111, 112, Music Theory
MT 113, 114, Ear Training
TH 337, Musical Theatre History and Literature I
TH 338, Musical Theatre History and Literature II
TH 339, Musical Theatre Repertoire I
TH 340, Musical Theatre Repertoire II
2 credits in applied piano

Theatre Support (10 credits)

TH 131, Play Analysis
TH 242, Theatrical Make-up
TH 253, Stagecraft
TH 321, Directing I
Performance Electives (3 credits)
TH 100, Pipe Dreams (6 semesters)
TH 101, 201, 301, Practicum (6 semesters)

Distribution Credits (6 credits)

TH 335, Integrated Theatre Studies I
Dramatic Literature

Millikin's four year program includes required course work in the major area of study and university studies, while still allowing for elective course work chosen by each student. This basic structure provides for development and progress throughout the duration of the student's undergraduate education. Each student's work is continually monitored, and faculty assessment is always available upon request. The four year program strives to develop tools necessary for the craft of acting: the body, voice, and imagination. All aspects play an integral part in actor training at Millikin University.

Click here for a typical four year schedule of classes

All BFA performance majors are required to audition at the general auditions for main stage productions at the beginning of each semester. Freshmen are also required to audition for all Pipe Dreams projects. A student must pass a second audition/hurdle at the end of the freshman year to continue in the Musical Theatre program. Transfer students also re-audition at the end of their first year. The work of each BFA student will be reviewed on a yearly basis.

Click here for BFA Musical Theatre audition information