Music Theatre Performance (84 hours)

Admission

Admission to the program is by prepared audition before the Dance, Music, and Theatre faculty. Additional information is available by contacting the curriculum advisor or via the web at www.wmich.edu/theatre Continuance in the program is based upon periodic reviews. Moreover, at the end of the sophomore year, each student must pass a performance jury in order to continue in the program; unanimous approval by each performance area is required. Music Theatre (MTFJ) majors must audition for all staff-directed musical comedy, opera, and operettas each year.

A student must audition and enroll in Level I technique classes in ballet and jazz, or be placed in Level I classes upon completion of remedial work. The student must also be able to enroll in MUS 1600 by passing a Music Qualification Exam. The student may be accepted for up to a one-year probationary period in the program to reach this proficiency level in dance and/or music.

Required Courses In Dance (21 hours)

Technique classes at Level I or above Credits: 6 hours

DANC 1040 - Beginning Tap Credits: 2 hours
DANC 1100 - Ballet Technique I Credits: 2 hours
DANC 1200 - Jazz Technique I Credits: 2 hours
DANC 1250 - Special Studies in Introductory Dance Technique Credits: 1 to 6 hours
Music Theatre Dance Styles
Credits: 1 hour
DANC 4950 - Performance Workshop Credits: 2 hours
(Prereq: 3950)
MTFJ majors only
DANC 4960 - Performance in Music Theatre Credits: 2 hours
Credits: 6 hours
(Prereq: MTFJ majors only)

Required Courses In Music (23 hours)

MUS 1150 - Voice Technique I Credits: 2 hours
MUS 1160 - Voice Technique II Credits: 2 hours
MUS 1200 - Keyboard Fundamentals Credits: 1 hour
MUS 1210 - Keyboard Fundamentals Credits: 1 hour
(Prereq: MUS 1200)
MUS 1600 - Basic Music I Credits: 3 hours
(Prereq: MUS 1590)
MUS 1620 - Aural Comprehension I Credits: 1 hour
(Prereq: MUS 1590)
MUS 1630 - Aural Comprehension II Credits: 1 hour
(Prereq: 1620, “C” or better)
MUS 1990 - Applied Music-Music Theatre (voice) Credits: 1 to 4 hours
(4 semesters, 2 hours each)
(Prereq: MUS 1200, MUS 1600)
MUS 2200 - Keyboard Musicianship Credits: 1 hour
(Prereq: MUS 1210, “C” or better)
MUS 3950 - Performance Development and Technique Credits: 3 hours

Required Courses In Theatre (32 hours)

THEA 1410 - Introduction to Acting Credits: 3 hours
THEA 1420 - Acting I: Action and Personalization Credits: 3 hours
THEA 2300 - Stage Makeup Credits: 3 hours
THEA 2410 - Voice and Movement I Credits: 3 hours
THEA 2450 - Acting II: Character and Action Credits: 3 hours
THEA 2460 - Acting III: Character, Action, Language Credits: 3 hours
THEA 2720 - Musical Theatre History and Script Analysis I Credits: 3 hours
THEA 2900 - Theatre Practicum Credits: 1 to 8 hours
Credits: 2 hours
THEA 3440 - Acting IV: Period Styles of Acting Credits: 3 hours
THEA 3510 - Directing I Credits: 3 hours
(Prereq: Junior standing)
THEA 3720 - Musical Theatre History and Script Analysis II Credits: 3 hours
THEA 4000 - Special Topics in Theatre Credits: 1 to 3 hours
Credits: 1 hour

Electives (7 hours)

Seven hours from courses in the Department of Dance, the School of Music, and the Department of Theatre, with the consent of the Director of Music Theatre Performance.

Baccalaureate Writing Requirement

Students who have chosen the Music Theatre Performance BFA degree program will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing Requirement by successfully completing:

THEA 3720 - Musical Theatre History and Script Analysis II Credits: 3 hours

Additional Requirements

A student must complete all the General Education requirements as outlined in this catalog. Within these specifications, it is recommended that the student take two semesters of the following foreign languages:

FREN 1000 - Basic French I Credits: 4 hours
FREN 1010 - Basic French II Credits: 4 hours
or
GER 1000 - Basic German I Credits: 4 hours
GER 1010 - Basic German II Credits: 4 hours

Note:

Evaluation of THEA 4960 credits: Two of the three evaluators must be either faculty/staff of Western Michigan University or full-time professional staff of the presenting theatre.