Musical Theatre - B.F.A.

If you dream of performing on Broadway or in national tours, Kent State's Musical Theatre program can help make that a reality. This intensive program provides rigorous training in acting, singing and dancing, as well as opportunities to perform in front of live audiences. With a curriculum designed to prepare you for a career in musical theatre, this B.F.A. degree is the perfect choice for aspiring performers.

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Program Information for Musical Theatre - B.F.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre prepares students for life as working artists in the musical theatre field. Practical training and creative experiences are coupled with an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum and a foundation in theatre history, analysis and criticism.

Students are able to study and perform in the school’s theatrical and dance productions. Kent State’s Center for the Performing Arts houses three theatres, performance and rehearsal spaces, costume shop and laboratories for costumes, drafting, lighting and scenery. In addition, the School of Theatre and Dance oversees the outdoor venue Porthouse Theatre.

Students in their senior year may participate in the annual New York City Musical Theatre Showcase, which enables students to perform for prospective casting directors, talent managers and theatrical and commercial agents.

Admissions for Musical Theatre - B.F.A.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Admission to this major is selective. Applicants must pass an audition in each of the three performance areas — dance, singing and acting — to be admitted. Students who pass the audition are admitted directly into the major in the first semester of their first year at Kent State. In exceptional cases, students may be admitted to the program in the second semester of their first year.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Apply advanced processes and methods to build character in musical theatre repertoire.
  2. Apply intermediate to advanced skills in dance for musical theatre.
  3. Develop musical skills in voice performance, musicianship, music theory and sight singing.
  4. Execute proficiency in audition technique as an actor/singer.
  5. Articulate procedures and approaches to differentiate various theatrical styles and techniques.
  6. Synthesize acting, singing, and dance techniques to systematically realize a role in a musical theatre play or performance.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
MUS 17111PIANO CLASS I 1
MUS 17112PIANO CLASS II 1
THEA 11002MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE I 3
THEA 11100MAKING THEATRE: CULTURE AND PRACTICE 2
THEA 11725FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION 3
THEA 20102MUSIC THEORY FOR MUSICAL THEATRE I 2
THEA 20103MUSIC THEORY FOR MUSICAL THEATRE II 2
THEA 20204EAR TRAINING AND SIGHT SINGING FOR MUSICAL THEATRE I 1
THEA 20205EAR TRAINING AND SIGHT SINGING FOR MUSICAL THEATRE II 1
THEA 21002MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE II 3
THEA 21303ACTING PROCESS 3
THEA 31030GLOBAL THEATRE HISTORIES 3
THEA 31200APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE (taken six times)12
THEA 31303CHARACTER AND SCENE STUDY I 3
THEA 31304CHARACTER AND SCENE STUDY II 3
THEA 32002MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE III 3
THEA 41115LGBTQ THEATRE (DIVD) 3
or THEA 41130 THEATRE AND DRAMA IN AMERICA
THEA 41140AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY (WIC) 13
THEA 42002MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE IV 3
THEA 42092PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 1
THEA 42999PORTHOUSE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE (ELR) 3
Dance Electives, choose from the following: 212
DAN 17001
INTRODUCTION TO MODERN
DAN 17002
MODERN 1
DAN 17004
INTRODUCTION TO JAZZ
DAN 17005
JAZZ 1
DAN 17007
TAP 1
DAN 17008
TAP 2
DAN 17009
TAP 3
DAN 17010
INTRODUCTION TO BALLET
DAN 17011
BALLET 1
DAN 17013
AFRICAN DANCE 1
DAN 17016
SWING DANCE 1
DAN 17055
MEN'S BALLET
DAN 17080
MUSICAL THEATRE RUDIMENTS OF JAZZ AND TAP
DAN 27050
BALLET 2
DAN 27051
MODERN 2
DAN 27070
JAZZ 2
DAN 27080
MUSICAL THEATRE JAZZ AND TAP I
DAN 37051
MODERN 3
DAN 37069
BALLET 3
DAN 37080
MUSICAL THEATRE JAZZ AND TAP II
DAN 37081
MUSICAL THEATRE JAZZ AND TAP III
DAN 37092
KENT DANCE ENSEMBLE (ELR)
DAN 37148
JAZZ 3
DAN 47050
BALLET 4
DAN 47051
MODERN 4
DAN 47070
JAZZ 4
DAN 47080
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE STYLES I
DAN 47081
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE STYLES II
DAN 47095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN DANCE
THEA 41702
MOVEMENT AND DANCE FOR ACTORS
Guided Upper-Division Electives, choose from the following:8
DAN 47163
DANCE HISTORY II (WIC) 1
MUS 45131
KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP
THEA 31200
APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE
THEA 41026
PLAYWRITING (WIC) 1
THEA 41095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
THEA 41301
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA I
THEA 41302
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA II
THEA 41305
PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS: PERFORMANCE
THEA 41308
MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION 3
THEA 41499
MUSICAL THEATRE SHOWCASE (ELR)
THEA 41620
HISTORY OF PERIOD STYLES FOR THEATRE DESIGNERS (WIC) 1
THEA 41702
MOVEMENT AND DANCE FOR ACTORS
THEA 42192
PRACTICUM II: PERFORMANCE (ELR)
Any Dance (DAN) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level) 2
Dance, Music and Theatre Electives, choose from the following:4
DAN 47163
DANCE HISTORY II (WIC) 1
MUS 45131
KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP
THEA 21016
MAKEUP FOR STAGE AND SCREEN
THEA 21700
MOVEMENT I
THEA 21800
VOICE I
THEA 31200
APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE
THEA 41026
PLAYWRITING (WIC) 1
THEA 41095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
THEA 41301
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA I
THEA 41302
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA II
THEA 41305
PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS: PERFORMANCE
THEA 41308
MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION 3
THEA 41499
MUSICAL THEATRE SHOWCASE (ELR)
THEA 41620
HISTORY OF PERIOD STYLES FOR THEATRE DESIGNERS (WIC) 1
THEA 41702
MOVEMENT AND DANCE FOR ACTORS
THEA 42192
PRACTICUM II: PERFORMANCE (ELR)
Any Dance (DAN) course 2
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

2

Enrollment in many of the dance courses are by audition only.

3

THEA 41308 may be taken a maximum two times (maximum 6 credit hours) toward the program.

Progression Requirements
  • In order to continue and graduate with the B.F.A. degree, students are expected develop skills equal to entry-level positions in the profession or as expected for admission into a M.F.A. degree program.
  • Students on academic probation may not participate in School of Theatre and Dance productions.
  • Students may be immediately dismissed from the program for failure to maintain a 2.500 major GPA. Students should strive to maintain a 3.000 overall GPA.
  • Students are required to participate in biannual B.F.A. evaluations, interviews and/or meetings, and must must pass annual evaluation reviews to remain in the program.
  • Students are required to participate in annual school screening auditions and, if qualifying, must participate in at least one unified audition.
  • Students are required to audition for all main-stage theatre productions and accept roles as cast.
  • Students may be subject to probation or dismissal for failing to audition for main-stage productions, for not accepting a role that is offered or for failure to demonstrate continuous skill development and growth in all areas of the program as defined by the Musical Theatre Student Handbook. Students placed on probation will be provided written information regarding specific areas for improvement.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.500 2.000
Roadmap

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
THEA 11002 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE I 3
THEA 11100 MAKING THEATRE: CULTURE AND PRACTICE 2
THEA 21303 ACTING PROCESS 3
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Dance Electives 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
MUS 17111 PIANO CLASS I 1
THEA 11725 FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION 3
THEA 20102 MUSIC THEORY FOR MUSICAL THEATRE I 2
THEA 20204 EAR TRAINING AND SIGHT SINGING FOR MUSICAL THEATRE I 1
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
Dance Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
MUS 17112 PIANO CLASS II 1
THEA 20103 MUSIC THEORY FOR MUSICAL THEATRE II 2
THEA 20205 EAR TRAINING AND SIGHT SINGING FOR MUSICAL THEATRE II 1
THEA 21002 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE II 3
Dance Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Four
Progression Requirement: minimum 2.500 major GPA  
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
!THEA 31303 CHARACTER AND SCENE STUDY I 3
THEA 42092 PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 1
Dance Elective 1
Dance, Music and Theatre Electives 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Five
THEA 31030
or THEA 41130
 GLOBAL THEATRE HISTORIES
or THEATRE AND DRAMA IN AMERICA
3
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
THEA 32002 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE III 3
Dance Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
Progression Requirement: minimum 2.500 major GPA  
THEA 31030
or THEA 41115
 GLOBAL THEATRE HISTORIES
or LGBTQ THEATRE (DIVD)
3
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
THEA 31304 CHARACTER AND SCENE STUDY II 3
Dance Electives 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours13
Semester Seven
THEA 42002 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE IV 3
THEA 42999 PORTHOUSE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE (ELR) 3
Dance Electives 2
Guided Upper-Division Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
THEA 41140 AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY (WIC) 3
Dance Electives 2
Guided Upper-Division Electives 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Accreditation for Musical Theatre - B.F.A.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Musical Theatre - B.F.A.

Actors

3.1%

about as fast as the average

70,100

number of jobs

$N/A

potential earnings

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

5.6%

faster than the average

116,300

number of jobs

$69,690

potential earnings

Dancers

2.3%

slower than the average

11,400

number of jobs

$N/A

potential earnings

Miscellaneous entertainers and performers, sports and related workers

4.2%

about as fast as the average

33,300

number of jobs

$N/A

potential earnings

Music directors and composers

1.7%

slower than the average

58,000

number of jobs

$52,250

potential earnings

Musicians and singers

0.9%

little or no change

175,600

number of jobs

$N/A

potential earnings

Producers and directors

10.0%

much faster than the average

159,500

number of jobs

$76,400

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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