Musical Theatre for Theatre Majors Certificate

The Department of Theatre and Dance and the School of Music in the College of Fine Arts offer an undergraduate interdisciplinary Certificate in Musical Theatre. By combining the efforts and resources of the Department of Theatre and Dance and the School of Music, students are able to take the breadth of course work necessary for a fundamental experience in musical theatre. The course work includes acting, dance, voice, and musical theatre techniques. This certificate will provide desired course work as well as performance opportunities for undergraduate students.

The course work in the certificate is designed to use the strengths of each unit and supplement them with course work from the other unit. For example, music students don’t need additional voice work, but they do need training in acting and dance in order to be educated in musical theatre. Theatre students have access to both acting and dance classes, but lack sufficient preparation in voice and music for musical theatre. The Certificate provides an interdisciplinary bridge between the two programs.

Upon completion of the Musical Theatre Certificate students will be able to:

• apply and exhibit proficiency in vocal technique within the forms and styles of the musical theatre canon
• apply and exhibit proficiency in diverse acting techniques and styles necessary for the forms and styles of musical theatre
• apply and exhibit proficiency in diverse dance techniques and styles necessary for the forms and styles of musical theatre
• synthesize acting, singing, and dancing in a musical theatre performance

Applying to the Program

Students audition in April during the spring semester to enroll and be accepted into the Certificate program. Students participate in a dance audition, and perform a short monologue and section of a song for the selection process. This process is similar to one that students can be expected to perform and compile as their audition material for any local, regional, or national musical theatre performance opportunity.

Students entering the Certificate Program must have a 3.0 GPA in their major course work.

The Musical Theatre Certificate for Theatre Majors provides an opportunity for voice majors to enhance a specific set of skills and techniques required for musical theatre performance, enriching their undergraduate experience and course work in their primary degree program.