Musical Theatre, B.F.A.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Students desiring entry into the B.F.A. degree in musical theatre must be formally admitted to the program. This admittance is based upon an audition that includes singing, acting, and dancing.  Students may contact the School of Music or the School of Theatre and Dance for more information about audition requirements and dates.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Course Requirements

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Critical Thinking3
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Core II Physical/Natural Science4
Core II Humanities3
Core II Social Science3
Core II Fine Arts3
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive3
Writing Intensive3
Multicultural/International3
MUS 496Musical Theatre Capstone1
Major Requirements
MUS 101Basic Musicianship3
MUS 109Mus Theatre Musicianship Lab1
MUS 310Perf Arts Entrepreneurship1
MUS 470Musical Prods Practicum1
MUS 470Musical Prods Practicum1
MUS 496Musical Theatre Capstone1
Vocal Music Ensemble 200-Level1
Vocal Music Ensemble 200-Level1
Vocal Music Ensemble 200-Level1
Vocal Music Ensemble 200-Level1
Vocal Music Ensemble 400-Level1
Vocal Music Ensemble 400-Level1
MUS 196Voice2
MUS 196Voice2
MUS 196Voice1
MUS 196Voice1
MUS 396Voice2
MUS 396Voice2
THE 220Stage Movement I: Foundations3
THE 222Acting I: Foundations3
THE 230Auditioning Techniques3
THE 320Acting II: Scene Study3
THE 323Stage Mvmt II: Phys Approaches3
THE 390Music Theatre Workshop II3
THE 390Music Theatre Workshop II3
THE 423Acting Styles3
THE 441Theatre Hist Since 16603
THE 490Professional Theatre Residency4
Select one of the following Theatre Tech:4
Stage Lighting I
Intro to Technical Theatre
Introduction to Costuming
DAN 210Tap Dance2
DAN 230Ballet Technique2
DAN 305Dance for Musical Theatre3
DAN 316Modern Jazz Dance2
Major Elective2
Major Elective3
BFA Elective3
BFA Elective3
BFA Elective4
BFA Elective3

Major Information 

  • All students desiring entry into the B.F.A. degree in musical theatre must be formally admitted to the program. This admittance is based upon an audition in acting, singing, and dance/movement. Students should contact the School of Music or the School of Theatre and Dance for more information and to arrange for an audition.
  • All coursework in the musical theatre major must be completed with a grade of C or above. A course with a grade of D or F must be repeated with at least a grade of C to count for graduation or to be used as a prerequisite for another required course.
  • Candidates for the B.F.A. must complete 73 credit hours in the major, 34 credit hours in the core curriculum, and 13 credit hours in non-major elective courses. The non-major elective courses may not include courses in dance, music, or theatre.
  • Forty (40) credit hours must be earned in courses numbered 300-499.
  • No course in the major requirements for graduation may be taken Credit/ Non/Credit unless the course is so specified.
  • Upon completion of the fourth semester of MUS 196 Voice, students must pass a sophomore hearing before enrolling in MUS 396 Voice.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Semester Plan

This major prepares students for careers or graduate study in musical theatre performance.  Students with this degree have careers as performers or support staff in a wide variety of musical theatre settings.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
MUS 101 Basic Musicianship 3
MUS 196 Voice 1
Vocal Music Ensemble 200-Level 1
THE 222 Acting I: Foundations 3
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT) 3
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
DAN 230 Ballet Technique 2
MUS 109 Mus Theatre Musicianship Lab 1
MUS 196 Voice 1
Vocal Music Ensemble 200-Level 1
THE 220 Stage Movement I: Foundations 3
THE 390 Music Theatre Workshop II ( or MUS 470 if necessary) 3
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition 3
 Credit Hours14
Second Year
First Semester
DAN 210 Tap Dance 2
MUS 196 Voice 2
Vocal Music Ensemble 200-Level 1
THE 320 Acting II: Scene Study 3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition 3
Core II Physical/Natural Science 4
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
DAN 316 Modern Jazz Dance 2
MUS 196 Voice 2
Vocal Music Ensemble 200-Level 1
THE 390 Music Theatre Workshop II (or MUS 470 if necessary) 3
THE 423 Acting Styles 3
Writing Intensive 3
Major Elective 2
 Credit Hours16
Third Year
First Semester
DAN 305 Dance for Musical Theatre 3
MUS 396 Voice 2
Vocal Music Ensemble 400-Level 1
THE 323 Stage Mvmt II: Phys Approaches 3
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication 3
Core I Critical Thinking 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
MUS 310 Perf Arts Entrepreneurship 1
MUS 396 Voice 2
Vocal Music Ensemble 400-Level 1
MUS 470 Musical Prods Practicum (or THE 390 if necessary) 1
THE 490 Professional Theatre Residency 4
Core II Fine Arts 3
BFA Elective 4
 Credit Hours16
Fourth Year
First Semester
THE 230 Auditioning Techniques 3
THE 441 Theatre Hist Since 1660 3
Select one of the following Theatre Tech: 4
Stage Lighting I
Intro to Technical Theatre
Introduction to Costuming
Core II Social Science (M/I) 3
BFA Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
MUS 470 Musical Prods Practicum (or THE 390 if necessary) 1
MUS 496 Musical Theatre Capstone 1
Core II Humanities (WI) 3
Major Elective 3
BFA Elective 3
BFA Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours121