Musical Theatre (BA)

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Offered by the Department of Performing Arts , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the major requires demonstrated talent through an audition arranged with the department, preferably prior to beginning university studies. However, a student may enter as an intended major and audition once matriculated. Students will be accepted based on programmatic approval and written declaration of major.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2 )
Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9 )

AU Core Requirements

Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6 )
Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7 )
Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11 )

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum .

Major Requirements

54 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 24 credit hours at or above 300-level
- Students who wish to study abroad must receive prior approval from their advisor in order to ensure that appropriate courses will transfer and that scholarships and financial aid will apply

Course Requirements

Core (22 credit hours)

Production Participation (2-4 credit hours)

Complete the following to demonstrate participation in a minimum of four department productions in either a performance or technical capacity, including one production as a stage manager or assistant stage manager, and one production in another technical capacity:

PERF-265 Theatre Practicum (1) : Sets, Costumes, Props
PERF-265 Theatre Practicum (1) : Stage Management
THTR-001 Musical/Theatre Production (0)
THTR-101 Musical/Theatre Production (1)

Musical Theatre (27 credit hours)

Required

Complete 21 credit hours from the following:

Dance Techniques

Complete 3 courses in dance techniques from the following, taken over three different semesters, for a minimum total of 3 credit hours:

Vocal Techniques

Complete 3 courses in vocal techniques from the following, taken over three different semesters, for a minimum total of 3 credit hours:

Capstone (3 credit hours)

THTR-480 Senior Capstone (3)

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s / Master’s Program and Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.