Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre
BFA MUSICAL THEATRE
Applicants for this degree program must successfully complete proficiency auditions in voice, acting, and dance. Contact the school for details.
Students majoring in musical theatre are required to earn crew credits. They accrue one crew credit by working satisfactorily for a minimum of 60 hours on one or more mainstage productions or events in the School of Music, Drama, and Art. The work may include set construction, costume construction, light, sound, property, running crews, or other duties as assigned. Students must earn one crew credit for every year (or portion thereof) they are in the department. This amounts to 240 hours of work over four years. Transfer students must earn one crew credit for each year (or portion thereof) that they spend in the Department of Drama. Complete regulations are available in the student handbook which is available online. Musical Theatre majors must register for the crew credits prior to completion.
All students, at the end of the freshmen and sophomore semesters will attend a jury and will receive a comprehensive review of their progress to determine their acceptability for admission to the next year of study as a musical theatre major. At sophomore semester juries, students will be provided written improvement requirements if they are not developing as expected. Those not admitted to the next level of musical theatre courses may seek admission to a degree program in another department or will be allowed to re-audition for the Musical Theatre Program after completing additional study in deficient areas that would be specified in writing. Juniors and seniors may be required to repeat skill studies as warranted before graduation.
If it becomes necessary for a musical theatre major to take more than one set of voice lessons in a given semester, all lessons should be taken with the same instructor.
Eight (8) credits of dance: To ensure that students have a well-rounded dance curriculum, the eight (8) credits must consist of four (4) credits in Ballet, two (2) credits in Tap, and two (2) credits in Jazz. Final determination of dance requirements will depend on the student's background and unique physical needs – students will need to contact the dance coordinator and their advisor if they wish to seek an amended course of study in required dance curricula,
Students with extensive dance training may elect to fulfill their dance requirements at one of the consortium universities or an area professional dance school. Each course taken elsewhere (at least two times per week, minimum 35 hours per semester) will equal one of CUA's dance courses per semester. Only students with advanced level training may request to take dance elsewhere. This will be determined during the first week of the semester. The student will notify the instructor at the consortium institution or professional dance studio that he or she is taking the class in substitution for a one-credit class at CUA. At the completion of the course, the dance instructor must enter a grade or provide a signed letter certifying that the student has taken a minimum of 35 hours of dance instruction and has satisfactorily completed the class. The student must complete a curriculum exception sheet, signed by his or her musical theatre adviser and the chair of the Drama Department, indicating a waiver of one dance credit.
If the student wishes to take advanced level dance courses during the summer for credit, he or she must get pre-approval of the course from the dance coordinator.
In addition to tuition, students are required to pay a fee for each dance class taken at The Catholic University of America. Consult th CUA enrollment website for an outline of all fees
Musical theatre majors are required to complete a minimum of two (2) credits of class piano or demonstrate piano proficiency by exam. After the class piano courses or the proficiency examination is passed, students may elect further study in piano by advisement.
Musical theatre majors are required to complete a minimum of two internships in professional theatre. Any paid full productions with a regular rehearsal period will fulfill this requirement as will any formally advertised internships at professional theatres so long as they meet the minimum of 140 hours. Any other internships such as assisting, stage management, non paid performing, teaching, camps, or bespoke internship require the approval of the musical theatre area head and advisor.
Coaching is included for undergraduate musical theatre majors. For this coaching, students will register for MUPI 210a (1cr) for the Junior Recital and MUPI 210 (3cr) for the Senior Recital. Additional coaching may be available at the discretion of the coach and may require additional fees.
A minor in Drama is not permitted for students in the Musical Theatre degree program, however a minor in dance is permitted.
MUPI credits in any instrument other than voice may be used to fulfill free electives. In order for MUPI credits to count toward the degree, a jury is required.
All full-time Musical Theatre students are required to participate in a major ensemble each semester they are in residence. Typically this ensemble is one of the several choir options offered, however participation in orchestra or wind ensemble may be an option for 1 or more semesters. Students do not have to make up ensemble requirements if they elect to study abroad.
All full-time Musical Theatre students who are in residence are required to audition for each main-stage departmental or school-wide musical production that is announced as part of the regular season, and every student who auditions for a Musical