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
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
Major GPA: 3.00 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.00 or higher
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Major/Concentration Requirements | 78 | |
* 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Science Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Science Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 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.
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.
Major Requirements
- 39 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 39 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| DANC 125 | Experiencing Dance: Techniques and Styles | 3 |
| THEA 132 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THEA 133 | Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 134 | Script Analysis | 3 |
| THEA 142 | Wellness for the Actor | 2 |
| THEA 222 | Acting II | 3 |
| THEA 303 | Acting III | 3 |
| THEA 324 | Stage Makeup | 3 |
| THEA 351 | Movement for the Actor | 3 |
| THEA 353 | Voice for the Actor | 3 |
| THEA 404 | Acting IV: Scene Study | 3 |
| THEA 425 | Professional Theatre Practice | 3 |
| THEA 442 | Senior Showcase | 3 |
| Subtotal | 38 | |
| Musical Theatre Concentration | ||
| THEA 145 | Musicianship for Musical Theatre I | 3 |
| THEA 146 | Class Voice For Musical Theatre | 2 |
| THEA 147 | Musicianship for Musical Theatre II | 3 |
| THEA 246 | Private Musical Theatre Voice 1 | 5 |
| THEA 254 | Musical Theatre Dance I | 2 |
| Select 1 of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of Dramatic Literature I | ||
| Survey of Dramatic Literature II | ||
| THEA 302 | Acting for Song I | 3 |
| THEA 308 | Musical Theatre Song Repertoire | 3 |
| THEA 344 | Auditioning | 3 |
| THEA 348 | Pop/Rock Song Repertoire | 3 |
| THEA 355 | Projects in Theatre (Significant Role) | 2 |
| THEA 392 | History of Musical Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 446 | Musical Theatre Voice Capstone | 1 |
| Select two of the following: | 4 | |
| Experiencing Dance: Techniques and Styles 2 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Subtotal | 40 | |
| Total Hours | 78 | |
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
- 1
Repeated 5 times for 5 total credits
- 2
Can be repeated for a total of 9 credits
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:
- International study programs International study programs (including Edinburgh, Scotland, Fringe Festival Trip)
- SRU Theatre Department Productions
- Theatre internships and summer theatre employment
- High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
- Student-faculty research
- Student leadership development
- Department field trips
- Theatre Department Student Staff
- Student Lab Productions in Sheehy Theatre
- 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) / CIM 32
Concentration in Musical Theatre (MTHP)
This program is effective as of Summer 2025
Revised 04.29.2026
UCC 02.10.2026
Recommended Four-Year Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| THEA 133 | Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 142 | Wellness for the Actor (F) | 2 |
| 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 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEA 145 | Musicianship for Musical Theatre I | 3 |
| THEA 222 | Acting II (S) ! | 3 |
| THEA 246 | Private Musical Theatre Voice | 1 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| Humanities Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEA 132 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THEA 246 | Private Musical Theatre Voice | 1 |
| THEA 281 | Survey of Dramatic Literature I | 3 |
| THEA 303 | Acting III (F) ! | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Declare a Thematic Thread 2 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEA 246 | Private Musical Theatre Voice | 1 |
| THEA 324 | Stage Makeup | 3 |
| THEA 348 | Pop/Rock Song Repertoire | 3 |
| THEA 392 | History of Musical Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 404 | Acting IV: Scene Study | 3 |
| Musical Theatre Concentration Dance Class I | 2-3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEA 246 | Private Musical Theatre Voice | 1 |
| THEA 281 | Survey of Dramatic Literature I | 3 |
| THEA 302 | Acting for Song I | 3 |
| SCI 101 or SCI 102 |
Science of Life or Understanding the Physical World |
3 |
| Musical Theatre Concentration Dance Class 2 | 2-3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEA 246 | Private Musical Theatre Voice | 1 |
| THEA 283 | Survey of Dramatic Literature II | 3 |
| THEA 304 | Acting for Song II | 3 |
| THEA 351 | Movement for the Actor | 3 |
| THEA 353 | Voice for the Actor | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEA 347 | Auditioning for Musical Theatre (F) ! | 3 |
| THEA 446 | Musical Theatre Voice Capstone | 1 |
| THEA 425 | Professional Theatre Practice (F) | 3 |
| Social Science Inquiry | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEA 442 | Senior Showcase | 3 |
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours** | 120-122 | |
- 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 serves as a guide. Earning a degree requires at least 120 credits, though some majors require more. Before registering for courses, consult your academic adviser and review your curriculum guide. Be sure to review and confirm your plan with your adviser at least once each academic year.
Major Code: 5390
Concentration Code: MTHP
Revised date: 09.24.2025