Musical Theatre (B.F.A.)

Program Overview

The B.F.A. in Musical Theatre provides professional training in the skills needed to perform musical theatre. An interdisciplinary degree, students gain skills in theatre, dance, and music. The department offers frequent fully-mounted musical theatre productions, and in the senior year students complete a senior project in musical theatre and have the opportunity to participate in an audition showcase for an invited audience of theatre professionals.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Musical Theatre program can:

1. Develop fundamental, comprehensive understanding of the various elements and basic interrelated processes of creation, interpretation, performance, and production
2. Develop technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major area of production
3. Gain an overview understanding of the major aspects, techniques, and directions in musical theatre
4. Learn a fundamental, conceptual understanding of the expressive possibilities of theatre
5. Develop and defend informed judgments about theatre
6. Gain a familiarity with theatre literature of various historical periods, cultural sources, and modes of presentation
7. Gain experience with specific repertories and comparative standards of production quality through performance, academic study, and attendance at productions
8. Develop the ability to analyze plays perceptively and to evaluate them critically
9. Understanding of the common elements and vocabulary of theatre and of the interaction of these elements, and be able to employ this knowledge in analysis
10. Place works of theatre in historical and stylistic contexts and have some understanding of the cultural milieu in which they were created
11. Knowledge and skills sufficient to work in both collaborative and individual roles in matters of theatre interpretation
12. Demonstrate growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence, and knowledge of repertory through regular performance and production experiences
13. Acquire a working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to their area(s) of specialization
14. Work independently on a variety of professional problems by combining their capabilities in performance, repertory, theory, history, and technology
15. Demonstrate achievement of professional, entry-level competence in the area of specialization including significant technical mastery, the capability to produce work and solve professional problems independently, and a coherent set of artistic/intellectual goals that are evident in their work
16. Demonstrate their competence by developing a body of work for evaluation in the major area of study.
17. Develop achievement of the highest possible level of performance as an actor-singer
18. Develop skills in acting and skills in dance as appropriate to musical theater
19. Develop basic musical skills including voice performance, musicianship, and music theory
20. Develop a high level of skill in sight-singing
21. Communicate ideas, concepts, and requirements to theatre professionals and laypersons related to the practice of the major field. Such communication may involve oral, written, visual, and musical media
22. Awareness of identity, character and vocational calling by developing repertory and techniques for auditions
23. Awareness of identity, character and vocational calling through opportunities for developing repertory and techniques for auditions
24. Develop abilities to explore the intersections between Christian faith and theatre art
25. Cultivate the stewardship of the intellect and imagination.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

Music Core

Two of the following:

Two credits from the following:

Two credits from the following:

QuEST Requirements

Total of Dance and Theatre credits: 60; Total of Music credits: 24