Curriculum

Major Requirements

Based on 2020-2021 Curriculum Catalog
Degree: BFA
Curriculum: Musical Theatre (MTHA)
Elective Courses: 0 credits
General Education Courses: 31 credits
Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD): 8 Non-Credit Classes
Major courses: 90 credits (see the breakdown below)
Req Second Summer: 12 credits
THA 360THA 360
(Prerequisites: THA 332 with a C- or better, and program approval) Students learn through practical experience, performing three to six roles during a 10-week summer stock season at the Okoboji Summer Theatre.
Acting Workshop II (Okoboji)
6 credits
THA 361THA 361
(Prerequisites: 27 hours in Theatre Arts and program approval) Students learn more advanced principles and practices of theatre management through classes and work assignments during a 10-week summer stock season at Okoboji Summer Theatre.
Production Workshop II (Okoboji)
3 credits
THA 363THA 363
(Prerequisites: 27 hours in Theatre Arts and program approval) Students learn more advanced principles and practices of theatre management through classes and work assignments during a 10-week summer stock season at Okoboji Summer Theatre.
Theatre Management II (Okoboji)
3 credits
Required First Summer: 12 credits
THA 223THA 223
Part of the Summer Performing Arts Intensive. Students will prepare and refine self taping and editing skills and acquire fundamentals necessary for Acting for the Camera.
Acting for the Camera/Self Tape - Audition Technique (SPAI)
1 credits
THA 238THA 238
(Prerequisite: THA 128 with a C- or better). This course focuses on the use and training of human voice with an approach that will lead to a superior american speech for artistic use. Emphasis on the practical approach of Arthur Lessac.
Voice and Diction II
2 credits
THA 258THA 258
Development of stage movement for total organic involvement both physical and intuitive.
Stage Movement (SPAI)
2 credits
THA 259THA 259
(Prerequisites: a C- or better in THA 124, THA 128) Continued development of acting skills through focus that includes an intensive study of Michael Chekov's approach to acting.
Acting I Intensive (SPAI)
2 credits
Required: 32 credits
MTHA 126MTHA 126
This course is designed to introduce beginning theatre students to fundamental audition techniques in both acting and musical theatre.
Intro Into the Profession/Audition Technique
2 credits
MTHA 275MTHA 275
(Prerequisites: THA 122, 124) This course will explore Acting through Song techniques while investigating scene work from the Contemporary and Traditional Musical Theatre cannon.
Acting III: Acting Through Song
3 credits
MTHA 315MTHA 315
(Open to all students) An overview of the historical development of music theatre from its earliest beginnings to the 21st century. Students view films and listen to music, analyzing the work of important directors, choreographers, composers and librettists. Important milestones are included and examined in the context of the trajectory of the musical theatre field.
History of Musical Theatre
3 credits
THA 122THA 122
(Open only to Theatre majors.) A course designed to provide beginning theatre students an understanding of the senses and an awareness of self, others and the world in order to develop basic acting skills.
Acting I: Acting Foundations
3 credits
THA 124THA 124
(Prerequisite: THA 122 with a C- or better, open only to Theatre Majors.) Provides the tools necessary for breaking down the script, making effective choices and communicating the intent of the scene in a dramatic and effective way.
Acting II: American Realism
3 credits
THA 213THA 213
Lecture, demonstration and practical work assignments to develop skills in production techniques.
Introduction to Stagecraft
1 credits
THA 328THA 328
(Prerequisite: THA 238 with a C- or better). This course builds upon the skill set developed in THA 238 for comprehensive vocal work. Students will synthesize theory and practice for deeper investigation and application. This work involves developing proficiency and understanding of the International Phonetic Alphabet and stage dialects.
Voice and Speech for the Actor III
3 credits
THA 335THA 335
(Prerequisite: THA 124 with a C- or better). Exploration in theory and in practice of plays from the later mid-twentieth century to the present. Scene work and monologues from playwrights such as, but not limited to, Tracy Letts, Will Eno, Rajiv Joseph, Annie Baker, and Paula Vogel will be explored.
Acting IV: Contemporary
3 credits
THA 340THA 340
(Prerequisite: THA 332 with a C- or better,) This movement class will cover the basic Viniyoga principles, including yoga postures, breath work, meditation techniques and tools for using yoga to enhance flexibility and concentration.
Movement for Actors
3 credits
THA 420THA 420
An intensive course where actors develop the fundamental business skills, materials and marketing techniques necessary for a career in the entertainment industry.
Business of the Business
2 credits
THA 421THA 421
(Prerequisite: THA 332 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor) Shakespeare for the actor. Voice, movement and script analysis in classical drama.
Acting V: Shakespeare
3 credits
THA 423THA 423
(Prerequisite: THA 332 with a C- or better) Acting for camera in TV and film (in conjunction with the Digital Filmmaking Program).
Acting VI: Acting for the Camera
3 credits
Music: 15 credits
APM 102APM 102
(Prerequisite: 16-bar vocal audition with piano accompaniment for music department faculty) One half-hour private lesson per week. Regular practice required of student as assigned by instructor and required final performance jury.
Private Voice
1 credits
APM 103APM 103
(Prerequisite: 16-bar vocal audition with piano accompaniment for music department faculty) One half-hour private lesson per week. Regular practice required of student as assigned by instructor and required final performance jury.
Private Voice
1 credits
APM 202APM 202
(Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor) One half-hour private lesson per week. Regular practice required of student as assigned by instructor and required final performance jury.
Private Voice
1 credits
APM 203APM 203
(Prerequisite: 16-bar vocal audition with piano accompaniment for music department faculty) One half-hour private lesson per week. Regular practice required of student as assigned by instructor and required final performance jury.
Private Voice
1 credits
APM 302APM 302
(Prerequisite: permission of instructor) Advanced study. One half-hour private lesson per week. Regular practice required of student as assigned by instructor and required final performance jury.
Private Voice
1 credits
APM 303APM 303
(Prerequisite: 16-bar vocal audition with piano accompaniment for music department faculty) One half-hour private lesson per week. Regular practice required of student as assigned by instructor and required final performance jury.
Private Voice
1 credits
MTHA 490MTHA 490
Musical Theatre Senior Showcase
3 credits
MUS 110MUS 110
(Open to all students) Study of basic techniques and vocabulary of music of the 18th and 19th centuries, including melody, rhythm, harmony and texture. Students will work with scales, modes, keys, intervals, triads, basic harmonic progressions and part-writing techniques, standard notational practices, melodic structures and rhythmic patterns. Approached through lecture, discussion, performance, written and aural analysis, and written compositional exercises. Laboratory portion of course includes exercises and drill in ear training, sight-singing and basic keyboard skills.
Music Theory I
3 credits
MUS 124MUS 124
(Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in MUS 110 or Permission of Instructor) Introduces skills vital to hear and perform melodies from musical notation. Students will sing simple diatonic melodies at sight, count intermediate rhythms, and sing from memory diatonic intervals and scales. Students will recognize diatonic intervals and chord qualities by ear. Dictation of melodies and rhythmic patterns will be introduced.
Sight Singing
3 credits
Dance: 19 credits
DAN 112DAN 112
Ballet and Jazz Fundamentals
3 credits
DAN 113DAN 113
This course emphasizes techniques in Ballet and Jazz as well as flexibility and strength, coordination and control.
Ballet I/Jazz I
3 credits
DAN 231DAN 231
Continuation of DAN 113 involving the development of space-time coordination in more complex dance phrases with more advance technical demands.
Ballet II
2 credits
DAN 233DAN 233
Continuation of DAN 231.
Ballet III
2 credits
DAN 247DAN 247
(Prerequisites: DAN 112 or audition.) This class is designed to acquaint the dancer with the tradition of musical theatre and rhythm tap dance. Warm-up and exercises in tap technique with attention to proper use of weight, balance, articulation of footwork and full upper body involvement will be taught in order to prepare the dancer for auditions and work in musical theatre and tap companies.
Tap I
2 credits
DAN 347DAN 347
(Prerequisites: DAN 247 or permission of instructor, may be repeated for credit) This tap class is designed to further the dancer?s training in musical theatre and rhythm tap dance. Warm-up and exercises include advanced time steps and turns. More intricate combinations will be taught in order to prepare the dancer for auditions.
Tap II
2 credits
DAN 351DAN 351
Continuation of DAN 233, with emphasis on the development of individual style and artistry. Students are expected to be able to learn more complex phrases quickly and bring them to performance level in the class. This course is designed to be the final preparation for the professional world.
Ballet IV and Musical Theatre Styles
3 credits
DAN 353DAN 353
Emphasis on the development of individual style and artistry. Students are expected to be able to learn more complex phrases quickly and bring them to performance level in the class. This course is designed to be the final preparation for the professional world.
Dance Synthesis
2 credits