Performing Arts: 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 a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better
Completion of college writing requirement
Completion of university mathematics requirement

General Education Requirements

A total of ten courses, consisting of two courses from each of the five foundational areas
At least one course from Area Five: The Natural and Mathematical Sciences must include a laboratory science component
No more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline

Major Requirements

51 credit hours with grades of C or better
- 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.
Participation in a minimum of four department productions in either a performance or technical capacity. One of these must be done as stage manager or assistant stage manager and one must be in another technical capacity.

Course Requirements

Core (24 credit hours)

PERF-115 Theatre: Principles, Plays, and Performance FA1 (3)
PERF-251 Fundamentals of Acting (3)
PERF-260 Stagecraft (3)
PERF-261 Introduction to Stage Design (3)
PERF-262 Stage Management (1)
PERF-265 Theatre Practicum (1) (taken twice for a total of 2 credit hours)
PERF-365 Theatre History I: From the Greeks to the Eighteenth Century (3)
PERF-366 Theatre History II: From the Nineteenth Century to the Present (3)
PERF-445 Senior Capstone (3) : Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre (27 credit hours)

Required

Dance Techniques

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

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 Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.