Departments & Programs

Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance

Major in Musical Theatre—B.F.A.
Purpose

This program is designed to train exceptional students who seek a professional career in musical theatre within the context of an outstanding liberal arts education offered by Indiana University. Admission to the B.F.A. program is by audition, typically prior to the beginning of the freshman year.

Required Courses

Students must complete at least 91 credit hours in theatre, dance, and music:

1. 62 credit hours in Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance, to include:

  • T100 Introduction to Theatre (3 cr.)
  • T101 Script Analysis (3 cr.)
  • T121 Acting I for Majors: Introduction to Acting (3 cr.)
  • T125 Introduction to Theatrical Production (3 cr.)
  • T220 Acting II: Scene Study (3 cr.)
  • T300 Musical Theatre Workshop (3 cr., must be repeated to 12 cr.)
  • T305 Voice for Musical Theatre (2 cr., must be taken every semester while in residence with a minimum of 8 cr. and a maximum of 16 cr.)
  • T319 Acting III: Advanced Scene Study (3 cr.)
  • T325 Voice and Speech (3 cr.)
  • T334 Costume Design and Technology I (3 cr.)
  • T335 Stage Lighting Design (3 cr.)
  • T370-T371 History of Theatre and Drama I-II (3-3 cr.)
  • T401 Musical Theatre Senior Showcase (1 cr.)

2. 18 credit hours in dance, including THTR-T 301-T302 Musical Theatre Dance Styles I-II (3-3 cr.) and an additional 12 credit hours from the following list, with the approval of the director of musical theatre:

Ballet:

  • MUS-J 100 and higher, as appropriate.

Tap Dance chosen from:

  • THTR-D 154 Beginning Tap Dance (1 cr.)
  • THTR-D 254 Intermediate Tap Dance (1 cr.)
  • THTR-D 354 Advanced Tap Dance (1 cr.)

Jazz chosen from:

  • THTR-D 156 Introduction to Jazz Dance Technique (1 cr.)
  • THTR-D 256 Intermediate Jazz Dance (1 cr.)
  • THTR-D 456 Advanced Jazz Dance (2 cr.)
  • MUS-J 210 Jazz Dance (1 cr.)

Modern Dance chosen from:

  • THTR-D 155 Modern Dance (1 cr.)
  • THTR-D 255 Modern Dance—Intermediate (1 cr.)
  • THTR-D 355 Modern Dance I Advanced (1 cr.)
  • THTR-T 202 Musical Theatre Dance Technique (2 cr.)
  • THTR-T 410 Movement for the Theatre (3 cr.)

3. 11 credit hours in music, to include:

  • MUS-Z 103 Special Topics in Music for Non-Majors; Approved topic: Sight-Singing, Theory, and Basic Piano for Musical Theatre (I) (3 cr.)
  • MUS-Z 112 Introduction to Music Skills (3 cr.)
  • MUS-Z 373 The American Musical (3 cr.)

Cultural Studies in Music: 3 credit hours chosen from:

  • AAAD-A 110 African American Choral Ensemble (2 cr.)
  • AAAD-A112 Black Music of Two Worlds (3 cr.)
  • AAAD-A 120 Soul Revue (2 cr.)
  • AAAD-A 290 Sociocultural Perspectives of African American Music (3 cr.)
  • AAAD-A 388 Motown (3 cr.)
  • MUS-Z 393 History of Jazz (3 cr.)
  • MUS-Z 394 Black Music in America (3 cr.)
  • MUS-Z 395 Contemporary Jazz and Soul Music (3 cr.)
  • MUS-Z 413 Latin American Popular Music (3 cr.)

4.  THTR-T 203 IU Broadway Cabaret (0–1 cr.) required for first four semesters.

Students must also complete the B.A. degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Note: Students pursuing the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre may also pursue the Dance Minor; however, only one course may be applied to both credentials. Students should consult with the Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance advisor for more information about this combination.