Musical Theatre (BFA)

Musical theatre performers are multi-hyphenate artists. Beyond the intense requirements of a musical theatre performer to be a triple threat, the BFA degree in Musical Theatre is a four-year, professional training program focusing on providing students with the skills needed to be healthy and expressive artists, creators and innovators in the 21st Century. Through a partnership between the School of Dramatic Arts (SDA) and the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA), we will train the student of musical theatre to perform, create and innovate storytelling on various platforms. We are amongst the first institutions to offer this type of groundbreaking training for musical theatre artists. The program's values are deeply rooted in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access (EDIA). Our curriculum reflects the opportunities available in the 21st Century for representation in the post-pandemic entertainment industry. The curriculum will be implemented by emphasizing classical and contemporary material from the global canon and innovative training techniques influenced by many cultures.

During the first three semesters of the program, the focus will be on introducing and practicing the foundational skills needed in each of the four disciplines in our program. In the following three semesters, the emphasis is on integrating skills between the art forms in project-based workshop classes employing a variety of platforms. At the same time, the students become proficient in each of the four disciplines in technique classes. 

During the first semester of the senior year students will discover their unique artistic form of expression through classes in innovation and creation. Students experiment with new working methods, refine their skills and delve deeper into advanced techniques, such as creating a mini-movie musical, building a cabaret, pop-rock singing, etc. They can explore and expand their interests by choosing a specialization and working on a creative project.

Students focus on their professional potential in their final semester by expressing their unique artistic identity. In addition to preparing their senior showcase, their curriculum will concentrate on the business skills needed to be a self-sufficient artist in the 21st Century.

All BFA theatre majors are required to earn a minimum grade point average of 2.75 (A= 4.0) in their theatre courses each semester. BFA students that fail to earn a minimum GPA of 2.75 in their theatre classes will be placed on probation the following semester. Students who remain on probation for a second consecutive semester will be disqualified from the BFA program. A student disqualified from continued study in the BFA program for failing to meet the GPA standards outlined above will be given the option of transferring to the BA program.