Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Acting, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) - Concentration in Musical Theatre

Program Learning Outcomes

Students in the BA Acting  and BFA Acting programs will acquire the techniques necessary for the confident, skilled performance of dramatic roles (U01, U02, U05, U06, U09). Students will:

  • gain the tools to analyze and develop characters, and to create a meaningful personal connection to their roles;
  • master the ability to listen and respond truthfully in the moment;
  • gain the tools necessary to achieve a flexible, strong, and controlled voice and body to be used effectively as instruments for characterization.

ACTING – Musical Theatre Concentration, BFA

Students in the BFA Acting, Musical Theatre Performance concentration will acquire the specific skills necessary for a career as a musical theatre performer (U01, U02, U05, U06). Students will:

  • achieve the highest possible level of performance as an actor-singer.
  • achieve professional, entry-level competence in musical theatre including significant technical mastery, and the capability to solve professional problems independently.

THEATRE DEPARTMENT, OVERALL

  • Communication (U01, U02): Students will learn to communicate effectively by developing and defending informed viewpoints about theatre.  Students will gain an understanding of the common elements and vocabulary of theatre and of the interaction of these elements, giving them the ability to analyze both dramatic literature and live performance perceptively and to evaluate them critically.
  • Creation/Production/Performance (U02, U05, U06, U08, U09): Students will gain an overview of the collaborative elements of theatre and will demonstrate an understanding of the production process.  Students will explore and experience different values, perspectives, and aesthetics allowing them to problem solve, create, perform and produce theatre.  Students will successfully execute job duties related to the performance of a role, crew position and/or design assignment.
  • Professional Proficiency (U05, U08): Students will acquire the entrepreneurial skills necessary to assist in the development and advancement of careers in theatre.  Students will learn to apply knowledge and skills to meet professional competencies in the field of theatre.  Students will learn procedures and develop skills that enable them to conduct themselves in a manner accepted in the professional theatre community.
  • Historical Knowledge (U02, U05, U09): Students will acquire familiarity with theatre literature of various historical periods, cultural sources, and modes of presentation.  Students will learn the essential elements of the historical development of theatre and drama.  Students will relate, connect, integrate, and contextualize knowledge acquired in theatre courses.
  • Degree Program Writing Competency (U01, U02, U05): Students will gain the ability to write clearly and effectively. 

Related Links

Acting - Musical Theatre, BFA Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 3.00 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.00 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirments0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements78

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Science Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Science Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Subtotal12
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Writing Competency Requirements

Requirement Course Grade
Scholarly Paper in MLA format ASPM
Professional Resume APR
Professional Cover Letter APCL

Major Requirements

  • 39 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 39 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Core Requirements
DANC 125Experiencing Dance: Techniques and Styles3
THEA 132Stagecraft3
THEA 133Acting I3
THEA 142Wellness for the Actor3
THEA 222Acting II3
THEA 281Survey of Dramatic Literature I3
THEA 283Survey of Dramatic Literature II3
THEA 303Acting III3
THEA 324Stage Makeup3
THEA 351Movement for the Actor3
THEA 353Voice for the Actor3
THEA 404Acting IV: Scene Study3
THEA 425Professional Theatre Practice3
THEA 442Senior Showcase3
Subtotal42
Musical Theatre Concentration
THEA 145Musicianship for Musical Theatre I3
THEA 146Class Voice For Musical Theatre2
THEA 147Musicianship for Musical Theatre II3
THEA 246Private Musical Theatre Voice Repeated 6 times for 6 total credits6
THEA 248Musical Theatre Song Repertoire3
THEA 302Acting for Song I3
THEA 304Acting for Song II3
THEA 347Auditioning for Musical Theatre3
THEA 348Pop/Rock Song Repertoire3
THEA 392History of Musical Theatre3
Select two of the following:4
Experiencing Dance: Techniques and Styles Can be repeated for a total of 9 credits
Modern Dance Technique: Level II
Ballet II
Jazz Dance II
Improvisation
Selected Topics
Society and Social Dance
Modern Dance Technique: Level III
Ballet III
Jazz Dance III
Modern Dance Technique: Level IV
Ballet IV
Jazz Dance IV
Contemporary Partnering
Modern Dance Technique: Level V
Modern Dance Technique: Level VI
Musical Theatre Dance I
Musical Theatre Dance II
Subtotal36
Total Hours78
*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. International study programs International study programs (including Edinburgh, Scotland, Fringe Festival Trip)
  2. SRU Theatre Department Productions
  3. Theatre internships and summer theatre employment
  4. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
  5. Student-faculty research
  6. Student leadership development
  7. Department field trips
  8. Theatre Department Student Staff
  9. Student Lab Productions in Sheehy Theatre
  10. Guest Artist lectures, workshops, and productions

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

THEATRE - BFA (5390)
Concentration in Musical Theatre (MTHP)
This program is effective as of Fall 2022
Revised 07.10.2023
UCC 02.14.2023

Recommended Four-Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
THEA 133 Acting I 3
THEA 142 Wellness for the Actor (F) 3
THEA 145 Musicianship for Musical Theatre I (F) ! 3
THEA 146 Class Voice For Musical Theatre 2
DANC 125 Experiencing Dance: Techniques and Styles 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
 Hours18
Spring
THEA 145 Musicianship for Musical Theatre I 3
THEA 222 Acting II (S) ! 3
THEA 246 Private Musical Theatre Voice 1
THEA 392 History of Musical Theatre 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall
THEA 132 Stagecraft 3
THEA 246 Private Musical Theatre Voice 1
THEA 248 Musical Theatre Song Repertoire 3
THEA 281 Survey of Dramatic Literature I 3
THEA 303 Acting III (F) ! 3
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours16
Spring
THEA 246 Private Musical Theatre Voice 1
THEA 283 Survey of Dramatic Literature II 3
THEA 324 Stage Makeup 3
THEA 348 Pop/Rock Song Repertoire 3
THEA 404 Acting IV: Scene Study 3
Musical Theatre Concentration Dance Class I 2-3
 Hours15-16
Third Year
Fall
THEA 246 Private Musical Theatre Voice 1
THEA 302 Acting for Song I 3
SCI 101
Science of Life
or Understanding the Physical World
3
Musical Theatre Concentration Dance Class 2 2-3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15-16
Spring
THEA 246 Private Musical Theatre Voice 1
THEA 351 Movement for the Actor 3
THEA 353 Voice for the Actor 3
SCI 102
Understanding the Physical World
or Science of Life
3
Humanities Inquiry 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall
THEA 246 Private Musical Theatre Voice 1
THEA 347 Auditioning for Musical Theatre (F) ! 3
THEA 425 Professional Theatre Practice (F) 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours13
Spring
THEA 304 Acting for Song II 3
THEA 442 Senior Showcase 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours**121-123
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

!

Indicates a course which requires a grade of C or better. 

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 5390
Concentration Code: MTHP
Revised date: 03.9.2024