Theatre: Musical Theatre Specialization (B.F.A.)

87 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

The B.F.A. Musical Theatre Specialization prepares students for entry into professional theatre as specialists in performance or for graduate study in the area. Musical Theatre training is process oriented with emphasis placed on developing an expressive vocal/physical/sensory instrument and special skills in dance and singing. These performance skills are integrated with a specific system of text analysis for use in the creation of a role.

In addition to the regental and university general education requirements, the following courses are required:

Specialization Requirements (87 hours)

• THEA 119 - First Year Experience (or THEA 192 with the same title) (C)

•  

• THEA 131 - Introduction to Acting (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]

• Or

• THEA 231 - Acting I [SGR #4, HSDC] (majors)

•  

• THEA 140 - Survey of Technical Theatre Production
• THEA 140L - Survey of Technical Theatre Production Lab (2 concurrent sections required)
• THEA 150 - Musical Theatre Class Voice
• THEA 161 - Introduction to Musical Theatre Applied Voice
• THEA 181 - Fundamentals of Voice & Movement
• THEA 210 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 1
• THEA 211 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 2
• THEA 232 - Acting II
• THEA 239 - Auditioning
• THEA 243 - Make-Up (C)
• THEA 250 - Play Analysis (C)
• THEA 280 - Ballet I
• THEA 282 - Jazz Dance I (C)
• THEA 283 - Voice Dynamics
• THEA 310 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 3
• THEA 311 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 4
• THEA 331 - Acting III
• THEA 335 - Acting: Musical Theatre
• THEA 380 - Ballet II
• THEA 381 - Tap Dance I (C)
• THEA 382 - Jazz Dance II
• THEA 385 - Dance-Musical Theatre Styles (C)
• THEA 410 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 5
• THEA 411 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 6
• THEA 421 - Tap Dance II
• THEA 435 - History of American Musical Theatre (C)
• THEA 440 - Business of the Performance Profession
• THEA 483 - Ballet III
• THEA 494 - Internship (C) 1 credit required
• THEA 495 - Practicum (C) 4 credits required
• THEA 498 - Senior Project (C) 1 credit required
• THEA Electives 5cr

•  

• Select 1 course from the following:

• THEA 461 - Origins to Early Modern
• THEA 462 - Early Modern to Melodrama
• THEA 463 - Modern Drama & Theatre
• THEA 464 - Contemporary Drama & Theatre

•  

• Nondepartmental Supportive Course Requirements-Music Theory Requirement (10 credits):

• Prior Music Theory Experience (4cr)*

• MUS 100 - Music Appreciation (C) [SGR #4, HSDC] (3 cr hrs required)-Introduction to Music Theory
• MUS 110L - Aural Skills I (C)  (1 cr hr required)

OR

• Prior Music Theory Experience (4cr)*

• MUS 110 - Music Theory I (C) (3 cr hrs required)
• MUS 110L - Aural Skills I (C) (1 cr hr required)

•  

• Complete 2 credit hours from the following:

•  

• MUAP 110 - Applied Music-Keyboard (C)
• MUAP 111 - Applied Music-Keyboard (C)
• MUAP 115 - Class Instruction-Keyboard (C)
• MUAP 116 - Class Instruction-Keyboard (C)

• *Consult with your advisor

•  

• Choose 4 credits from the following:

• MUS 111 - Music Theory II (C) 3cr AND
• MUS 111L - Aural Skills II (C) 1cr
• MUEN 100 - Concert Choir (C)
• MUEN 103 - Treble Choir (C)
• MUEN 104 - Chamber Singers (C)
• MUAP 1xx, 2xx, 3xx, 4xx-Applied Music-Instrument Course (excluding voice)  1-4 cr hrs

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan. 

• Theatre, B.F.A.-Musical Theatre specialization 4-year plan guide

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization