Music Theatre

Department of Theatre and Dance
College of Arts and Sciences

285 Alumni Arena
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-5030
(716) 645-6898
Fax: (716) 645-6992

S. Henderson, Chair of Department
L. Kurdziel-Formato, Director of Music Theatre
Molly Casarella, Assistant to the Chair; Undergraduate Advisor

The Program

The B.F.A. in music theatre is a performance degree that encompasses courses from three disciplines: music, theatre, and dance. The objective of its comprehensive studies is to create the well rounded professional who is able to succeed in an increasingly competitive and exciting field. Performance opportunities range from musicals and dance companies to dramas and operas mounted in state-of-the-art facilities. Prospective majors should meet with the director of music theatre and an undergraduate advisor as soon as possible.

Placement auditions in theatre, dance, and music are required. For students with prior training, course requirements may be adjusted, based on placement auditions. If lower-level courses are waived, additional courses may be assigned. This policy applies to all majors and minors.

Acceptance into the B.F.A. program requires completion of the music theatre core program, a departmental prerequisite GPA of 2.5, an overall GPA of 2.0, a letter of intent, and an interview at the end of the first year of study. After admission to the program, the student must maitain a 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.5 GPA in all required departmental crouses to remain in good standing.

For course descriptions, see individual department listings for dance, music, and theatre.

For information about the Department of Theatre and Dance, see theatre, dance, music theatre.

Music Theatre (MTR)

220 Beginning Music Theatre Dance (2)
Prerequisites: THD213, THD236, or permission of instructor
Basic music theatre dance from the late nineteeth century to the present. Classwork coordinates dance styles with shows from each period. LEC/LAB

302 Musical Theatre History (3)
Prerequisite: sophomore or above
An in-depth look at the development of musical theatre forms in America. Its historical lineage and sociological relationship are covered. The contributions of composers, lyricists, and librettists, as well as directors, choreographers, and designers, are explored. Audio and video material are employed. LEC

305 Practicum in Musical Theatre (3)
Prerequisite: THD402 or permission of instructor
Auditioning and performing techniques. Includes vocal coaching, résumé writing, musical theatre scene study. Videotape used for critical analysis of progress. SEM

401-402 Advanced Musical Theatre Dance I-II
Prerequisite: THD264, THD214
Professional preparation in the field of musical theatre dance. The historical development of musical theatre dance, its relation to the fields of drama and music, including styles of Agnes deMille, Bob Fosse, Michael Kidd, Jerome Robbins, Michael Bennett, and others. Focuses on the musical theatre synthesis of dance, song, and drama; dance in plot and character development. SEM/LAB

405 GEMMS Musical Theatre Company (1-4)
Prerequisite: audition or permission of instructor
Professional performance experience in musical theatre production; working through the process from rehearsals to a staged production. SEM

410 Musical Theatre Repertoire (2)
Prerequisite: second-semester sophomore, audition, or permission of instructor
Focus is placed on expanding the performer's vocabulary of musical styles for the stage. Gilbert and Sullivan to Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein to Jonathan Larson analyzed. Student learn to adapt their vocal styles to suit the performance of the various musical genres. SEM

Music Theatre - B.F.A.

Theatre Requirements
TH 101 Intro to Theatre--Majors (3)
TH 108 Basic Acting I (3)
TH 109 Basic Acting II (3)
TH 227 Voice I (3)
TH 301 Theatre History I (3)
TH 302 Theatre History II (3)
TH 480 Shakespeare on Stage (3)

Dance Requirements
MTR220 Beginning Music Theatre Dance (2)
MTR305 Practicum in Music Theatre (3)
THD201 or 202 Beginning Contemporary I or II* (3)
THD210 or 211 Beginning Tap I or II* (2)
THD213 or 214 Beginning Ballet I or II* (2)
THD263 or 264 Beginning Jazz I or II* (2)
THD330 Creative Movement (2)
THD382 Social Dance (2)
THD401 Advanced Musical Theatre I or music elective (3)
THD415 Mind/Body Integration (3)
THD430 Dance History (3)

Music Requirements
MUS105 Elementary Harmony and Counterpoint I (5)
MUS106 Elementary Harmony and Counterpoint II (5)
MUS221 Vocal Diction** (2)
MUS469/470 Applied Voice** (Semester 1) (4)
MUS469/470 Applied Voice (Semester 2) (4)
MUS469/470 Applied Voice (Semester 3) (4)

Additional Requirements
Must include three music performances (at least one opera) and three theatre and dance performances (at least one dramatic piece)

Music:***
MUS350 Opera Workshop (2)
MUS151 University Choir or MUS321 University Chorus (2)
MUS151 University Choir or MUS321 University Chorus (2)
Theatre and Dance:***
TH 341-344 Theatre Studio (2-3)
One of the following:

THD337-338 Zodiaque (4-8)

THD340 StudioWerks (2)

TH 411-414 Theatre Workshop (2-3)

THD405 GEMMS (2)

Three electives+

* Depending on audition placement
** Concurrent registration
*** May be done in any order and may include repeat credit
+ Students may complete electives within or outside the department

See "Baccalaureate Degree Requirements" for remaining university requirements.