Musical Theatre B.A.

View information for the Department of Theatre , including Learning Objectives for the department and its programs.

View the degree program Roadmaps , which provide recommended advising maps to complete the degree program. Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

The Musical Theatre B.A. prepares undergraduates as Musical Theatre performers, creators and backstage technicians. The curriculum emphasizes courses that offer hands-on training, with additional courses that provide comprehensive theatre and music theory as well as dance. These courses are closely tied to the department’s five-production live performance season, performed in the 300-seat mainstage theatre, the Studio Theatre, and the outdoor amphitheater. Graduates of the program will have a broad understanding of all aspects of theatre and theatre production, and the practical ability to be a musical theatre artist, with training in acting, singing, dancing, reading music, script and song analysis, and auditioning. Students will also be prepared to audition for graduate programs. Discipline, a collaborative ethic, and the ability to effectively organize are additional, valuable skills that graduates of the program will gain.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

Knowledge of the history and traditions of musical theatre and its relationship to other disciplines.
Knowledge of techniques of score and song analysis, and the ability to use these techniques to enhance performance.
The ability to perform (sing, dance, and act) in a variety of studio/stage settings.
The ability to collaborate in the devising and presentation of original material in a variety of studio/stage settings.
Practical and theoretical knowledge of technical theatre and design as it relates to musical theatre.
A strong understanding of teamwork and collaboration to effectively participate in the discipline and society.

Requirements

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

A student must comply with all University regulations and satisfy the following requirements:

Units and Residency (minimum of 120 units: 40 units of upper division coursework and 30 semester units at Stanislaus State. At least 24 of these 30 units must be earned in upper-division courses, at least 12 must be in the major, and at least 9 must be applicable to General Education-Breadth requirements)
Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better)
General Education Program (minimum of 43 units)
Upper Division Writing Proficiency (minimum of 3 units)
- Writing Proficiency (WP) Course (may double count in the major)
United States Constitution and California State and Local Government (minimum of 3 units)
Sociocultural Inquiry Requirement (minimum of 3 units) (may double count with General Education requirements or in the major)
Skills for Student Success (minimum of 1 unit) and Lifelong Learning (minimum of 1 unit)

Subsequently, all students must submit an application for graduation and receive approval from the major advisor and department chair. For more information see the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

2. Complete the Major.

THEA 2350 / 4350 Requirement

Students are required to take a combined 6 units of THEA 2350 - Rehearsal & Performance 1 and THEA 4350 - Rehearsal and Performance 2 (1 unit). Upon entering the major students are required to complete 2 units of THEA 2350 in 2 semesters (1 unit per semester). Upon completion of the lower division sections, students are required to complete 4 sections of THEA 4350 in 4 semesters (1 unit per semester). Students may enroll in more than one unit of THEA 4350 in one semester by enrolling in two different sections of the course (upon approval of the instructor or Department Chair). If applicable, Transfer students may transfer in 2 units of THEA 2350 and then must be enrolled in THEA 4350 every semester they are in residence in the program and complete 4 units of THEA 4350 to graduate.

The Major

(59 units)

Complete the following classes:

Lower Division

MUS 1190 - Music Fundamentals 3 unit(s)
MUS 1320 - Eartraining and Sightsinging I 1 unit(s)
MUS 1600 - Basic Class Piano 1 unit(s)
MUS 1640 - Freshman-Level Voice 1 unit(s) - (2 semesters) Credits / Units: 2
MUS 2640 - Sophomore Level Voice 1 unit(s) - (2 semesters) Credits / Units: 2
Prerequisite: MUS 1640

Taken with MUS 2641
MUS 2641 - Soph Voice Major Repertoire 1 unit(s) - (2 semesters) Credits / Units: 2
Prerequisite: MUS 1640

Taken with MUS 2640
MUS 2410/4410 Concert Choral 1 unit(s) - (2 semesters) Credits / Units: 2
MUS 2880 - Directed Listening 1 unit(s) - (2 semesters) Credits / Units: 2
Taken with MUS 2410/4410
KINS 1960 - Modern Jazz Dance 1 unit(s)
KINS 1965 - Intermediate Modern Jazz Dance 1 unit(s)
THEA 1500 - Introduction to Acting 3 unit(s)
THEA 2020 - Stagecraft I 3 unit(s)
THEA 2350 - Rehearsal & Performance 1 1 unit(s) - (2 semesters) Credits / Units: 2
THEA 2500 - Script Analysis 3 unit(s)
THEA 2510 - Intermediate Acting: Scene Study 3 unit(s)

Upper Division

THEA 3400 - Voice and Movement I 3 unit(s)
THEA 3410 - Musical Theatre Dance Studio Practices 1 unit(s) - (2 semesters) Credits / Units: 2
THEA 3510 - Theatre History I 3 unit(s)
THEA 3520 - Theatre History II (WP) 3 unit(s)
THEA 3240 - Costuming 3 unit(s)
THEA 3800 - Musical Theatre Audition Workshop 3 unit(s)
THEA 3810 - Musical Theatre Repertoire Coaching 1 unit(s)
(4 semesters) Credits / Units: 4
THEA 4350 - Rehearsal and Performance 2 1 unit(s) - (4 semesters) Credits / Units: 4
THEA 4540 - History of American Musical Theatre 3 unit(s)

Note:

To fulfill the University 120-unit graduation requirement, students who major in Musical Theatre typically need to complete twelve (12) additional “free elective” units. With consultation from an advisor, these units can be completed outside of the department or from courses listed the Theatre catalog.