The Musical Theatre, BFA program is designed to prepare knowledgeable, skilled graduates who will compete in an increasingly competitive field. Students will also learn to assess, explain, and interpret the many roles and responsibilities inherent in the world of the professional theatre artist. They will also be prepared to apply the skills they have developed in other career paths related to their degree.
The program builds specific skills in production from a strong foundation of using the body as the artist’s instrument through singing, voice, and stage movement in the musical theatre style. Students choose from a range of courses, both introductory and advanced, from writing and movement, dancing, and voice. To help students prepare for future employment or graduate school, all students are strongly encouraged to pursue practical experience through TH 490 - Cooperative Education internship as well as the performance application courses, designed to put theory into practice as part of Central Theatre Ensemble’s regular on-campus season.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is by audition/interview only. Auditions/interviews begins with an online screening process that culminates in program admission being offered in early spring for the fall cohort.
See the auditions procedures page http://www.cwu.edu/theatre/auditions.
Program Requirements
In addition to the department core courses, musical theatre BFA candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in theatre arts with a minimum grade of “B-” (2.7) in each course within musical theatre.
Meeting this standard is reviewed as part of the annual jury.
Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- perform in a mainstage musical theatre production during their course of study;
- apply skills in dance as appropriate to musical theatre with the ability to classify and implement strong foundational skills in a variety of settings and styles;
- achieve professional level skills as an actor/singer relevant to a career in musical theatre;
- implement musical skills through training in vocal performance, musicianship, and music fundamentals;
- integrate and apply script and character analysis techniques and approaches to the musical theatre genre;
- create an audition toolkit and a plan for implementing these tools post-graduation through strategic networking; and
- articulate a clear comprehension of musical theatre history through oral, written, or expressive form.
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