Unions, Strikes and You

Protesters

On Friday, Sept. 15, the United Auto Workers began targeted strikes against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. On Friday, Sept. 22, the United Auto Workers expanded the strike to 38 plants in 20 states.  Kent State Today reached out to C. Lockwood Reynolds, Ph.D., professor of economics in the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Kent State University. How will these strikes affect the Kent State community? And what do students, especially those going into fields with union representation, need to know about unions?   Reynolds indicated thi...

CHEM-O-WEEN Event: Register Now!

save the date for chem-o-ween, picture of spooky mole

Celebrate Chem-O-Ween Friday, October 27 from 6:02-8 p.m. with Kent State’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry!  Chem-O-Ween is our spooky celebration of Mole Day and the end of National Chemistry Week!   Join our chemistry department for chilling refreshments and spooky fun activities in the Integrated Sciences Building lobby. Troll through our Haunted Labs to witness hair-raising science demos and spooky sorcery created from our witchy cauldrons of magic potions and frightening spells. Try to escape the Haunted Corridors with as much...

Musical Theatre - B.F.A.

If you dream of performing on Broadway or in national tours, Kent State's Musical Theatre B.F.A. 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, the Musical Theatre B.F.A. program 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 English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate proficiencies that are equal to entry-level positions in the profession or as expected for admission into the Master of Fine Arts degree as a singer, actor and/or dancer.
  2. Demonstrate and articulate proficiency and understanding in and of music performance and theory, basic dance performance and technique and acting and acting theory/systems.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of how acting and storytelling are the foundation of all three interrelated areas of performance (acting, singing and dance).
  4. Demonstrate correct and aesthetically pleasing technique in movement and dance.
  5. Demonstrate and articulate correct and aesthetically pleasing technique in the execution of vocal performance, sight-singing, musicianship and music theory.
  6. Demonstrate and articulate correct and aesthetically pleasing technique in acting and acting theory/systems.
  7. Perform in workshops and full productions of musical theatre in a variety of formal and informal settings.
  8. Develop substantial and appropriate audition repertoire.
  9. Demonstrate proficiency in audition technique.
  10. Demonstrate professional behavior in respect for the craft.

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 11100MAKING THEATRE: CULTURE AND PRACTICE 2
THEA 11722FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION I: SCENERY, STAGECRAFT AND SOUND 2
THEA 11723FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY I: SCENERY 1
or THEA 11724 FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY II: PROPS AND SCENIC ART
THEA 11732FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION II: COSTUMES, LIGHTING AND PROJECTIONS 2
THEA 11733FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY III: COSTUMES 1
or THEA 11734 FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY IV: LIGHTING, SOUND AND PROJECTIONS
THEA 20202MUSIC THEORY FOR MUSICAL THEATRE I 3
THEA 20203MUSIC THEORY FOR MUSICAL THEATRE II 3
THEA 21111SCRIPT ANALYSIS 3
THEA 21303ACTING PROCESS 3
THEA 21306MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE I (taken twice)6
THEA 22092PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 3
THEA 31110HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA I 3
THEA 31111HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA II 3
THEA 31200APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE (repeated four times)8
THEA 31303CHARACTER AND SCENE STUDY I 3
THEA 31304CHARACTER AND SCENE STUDY II 3
THEA 41307MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE II (taken twice)6
THEA 42192PRACTICUM II: PERFORMANCE (ELR) 3
Theatre History or Playwriting Elective, choose from the following:3
DAN 47163
DANCE HISTORY II (WIC) 1
THEA 41026
PLAYWRITING (WIC) 1
THEA 41140
AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY (WIC) 1
THEA 41620
HISTORY OF PERIOD STYLES FOR THEATRE DESIGNERS (WIC) 1
Dance Electives, choose from the following: 28
DAN 17010
BALLET 1
DAN 17011
BALLET 2
DAN 17080
MUSICAL THEATRE RUDIMENTS OF JAZZ AND TAP
DAN 27070
JAZZ STYLES I
DAN 27080
MUSICAL THEATRE JAZZ AND TAP I
DAN 27170
JAZZ STYLES II
DAN 37080
MUSICAL THEATRE JAZZ AND TAP II
DAN 37081
MUSICAL THEATRE JAZZ AND TAP III
DAN 47070
JAZZ STYLES III
DAN 47080
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE STYLES I
DAN 47081
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE STYLES II
DAN 47095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN DANCE
DAN 47170
JAZZ STYLES IV
THEA 41702
MOVEMENT AND DANCE FOR ACTORS
Guided Electives, choose from the following: (minimum 8 upper-division credit hours)12
MUS 45131
KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP
MUS 47311
VOICE CLASS FOR THE INSTRUMENTALIST
THEA 21016
MAKEUP FOR STAGE AND SCREEN
THEA 21700
MOVEMENT I
THEA 21800
VOICE I
THEA 31200
APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE
THEA 31701
MOVEMENT II
THEA 31801
VOICE II
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
THEA 41499
MUSICAL THEATRE SHOWCASE (ELR)
THEA 41702
MOVEMENT AND DANCE FOR ACTORS
THEA 42192
PRACTICUM II: PERFORMANCE (ELR)
Any Dance (DAN) course
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.

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/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 major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
THEA 11100 MAKING THEATRE: CULTURE AND PRACTICE 2
!THEA 21306 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE I 3
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Fundamentals of Production 2
Fundamentals of Production Laboratory 1
Dance Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Two
!THEA 20202 MUSIC THEORY FOR MUSICAL THEATRE I 3
!THEA 21303 ACTING PROCESS 3
Fundamentals of Production 2
Fundamentals of Production Laboratory 1
Dance Elective 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
!THEA 20203 MUSIC THEORY FOR MUSICAL THEATRE II 3
!THEA 21111 SCRIPT ANALYSIS 3
!THEA 21306 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE I 3
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Four
Progression Requirement: minimum 2.500 major GPA  
!MUS 17111 PIANO CLASS I 1
!THEA 31303 CHARACTER AND SCENE STUDY I 3
Dance Elective 2
Guided Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
!MUS 17112 PIANO CLASS II 1
!THEA 31110 HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA I 3
!THEA 31304 CHARACTER AND SCENE STUDY II 3
!THEA 41307 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE II 3
Dance Elective 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
Progression Requirement: minimum 2.500 major GPA  
!THEA 22092 PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 3
!THEA 31111 HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA II 3
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Seven
!THEA 41307 MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE II 3
!THEA 42192 PRACTICUM II: PERFORMANCE (ELR) 3
Dance Elective 1
Guided Electives 6
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Eight
THEA 31200 APPLIED VOICE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE 2
Dance Elective 1
Guided Elective 3
Theatre History or Playwriting Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours12
 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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