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
Web: Theatre and Dance
Vincent O'Neill, Chair
L. Kurdziel-Formato, Director of Music Theatre
M. Casarella, Assistant to the Chair; Director, Undergraduate Advising

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.

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.

Acceptance into the B.F.A. program requires an audition.

For course descriptions, see individual department listings for dance, music, and theatre on pages 87, 175 and 240.

For information about the Department of Theatre and Dance, see the theatre, dance, and music theatre entry on page 245.

Music Theatre (MTR)

210 Musical Theatre Repertory (3)
Prerequisites: MTR majors or permission of instructor
Introduces the student to the vast repertory of the musical theatre stage through historical exploration and musical analyzation. Students also begin to learn to adapt their vocal style to suit the performance of the various musical genres. SEM

220 Beginning Musical Theatre Dance (2)
Prerequisites: THD213, THD263, or permission of instructor
Basic music theatre dance from the late nineteenth century to the present. Classwork coordinates dance styles with shows from each period. SEM

250 Special Topics in Music Theatre (1-4)
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Specialized aspects of the musical theatre. Usually includes literary and/or historical content in addition to practical technique work. Content varies from semester to semester. SEM

302 Musical Theatre History (3)
Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above
An in-depth look at the development of musical theatre forms in America. Covers its historical lineage and sociological relationship; explores the contributions of composers, lyricists, and librettists, as well as directors, choreographers, and designers; and employs audio and video materials. LEC

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

320 Intermediate Musical Theatre Dance I (2)
Prerequisites: MTR220, THD214 or THD341, and THD264 or THD371, or permission of instructor
History of American show dance emphasizing style and practical application of knowledge. Continuation of MTR220 concentrating on technical expertise as well as historical knowledge. SEM

321 Intermediate Musical Theatre Dance II (2)
Prerequisites: MTR320 or permission of instructor
Continuation of MTR320. SEM

350 Special Topics in Music Theatre (1-4)
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Specialized aspects of the musical theatre. Usually includes literary and/or historical content in addition to practical technique work. Content varies from semester to semester. SEM

401-402 Advanced Musical Theatre Dance I-II (3-3)
Prerequisites: MTR321, THD264, THD214, or permission of instructor
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: MTR210, junior or senior standing, audition, or permission of instructor
Focuses on expanding the performer's vocabulary of musical styles for the stage. Gilbert and Sullivan to Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein to Jonathan Larson analyzed. Students learn to adapt their vocal styles to suit the performance of the various musical genres. SEM

420 Musical Theatre Scene Study (3)
Prerequisites: MTR220, MTR302, TH 209, THD214 and THD264, one semester of vocal instruction, or permission of instructor
The study of scene analysis, script preparation and rehearsal techniques specifically geared toward the musical theatre. Texts from the classical and contemporary repertory are explored. Emphasizes the integration of performance techniques. SEM

450 Special Topics in Music Theatre (1-4)
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Focus is on a specialized aspect of the musical theatre. Usually includes literary and/or historical content in addition to practical technique work. Content varies from semester to semester. SEM

460 Applied Voice for Music Theatre (2)
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Proper technique of vocal production. Gives particular attention to the utillization of healthy technique in the performance of musical theatre material. SEM

490 Internship Music Theatre (2-4)
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
An internship position with a professional company or educational institution. Focus is on actual "field" experience to enhance the preparation of the student for a professional career in musical theatre. TUT

Music Theatre - B.F.A.

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in required music theatre courses
Minimum GPA of "C" in all required courses
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following prerequisites: TH 101, TH 109; THD213 or THD214; THD201 or THD202 or THD263 or THD264
Audition
Interview with program director at the end of the first year
Letter of intent (for continuing students)

Required Courses
MTR220 Beginning Musical Theatre Dance
MTR302 Musical Theatre History
MTR305 Practicum in Musical Theatre
MTR320 Intermediate Music Theatre Dance I
MTR401 Advanced Musical Theatre I
MTR420 Musical Theatre Scene Study
MUS105 Elementary Harmony and Counterpoint*
MUS116 Theory of Music for Nonmajors
MUS221 Vocal Diction
MUS469 Vocal Instruction
MUS470 Vocal Instruction
TH 101 Introduction to Theatre**
TH 109 Basic Acting 2
TH 208 Method Acting 1
TH 209 Method Acting 2
TH 227 Voice Training 1
TH 301 Theatre History and Literature 1
TH 308 Poetic Text
TH 309 Mime/Movement for Actors
THD201 Modern Dance 1* or THD263 Jazz Dance 1*
THD202 Modern Dance 2* or THD264 Jazz Dance 2*
THD210 Tap Dance 1
THD211 Tap Dance 2
THD213 Ballet 1*
THD214 Ballet 2*
THD263 Jazz Dance 1
THD264 Jazz Dance 2
THD381 Social Dance Forms 1
THD415 Mind-Body Integration
THD430 Dance History
Five performance requirements:
Two semesters of MTR405 GEMMS Musical Theatre Company and three others from the following: TH 341-344 Theatre Studio, THD337/338 Dance Studio-Zodiaque, THD340 Dance Studio, MUS151 University Choir, MUS321 University Chorus, MUS350 Music Theatre Workshop

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements
Placement in dance, music theatre, and performance courses is based upon auditions.
Performance is an option each semester.

First Year
Fall-THD201* or THD263*, THD213*, TH 101**, MUS116 or MUS105*
Spring-THD202* or THD264*, THD214*, TH 109

Second Year
Fall-TH 208, TH 227, MTR220, MTR405, MUS221 with MUS469
Spring-TH 209, MTR320, MTR405, MUS470

Third Year
Fall-Performance**, THD210, TH 301, TH 308, MUS469, THD381
Spring-Performance**, TH 309, MTR302, MTR305, MTR401
Fall or Spring-THD211

Fourth Year
Fall-performance**, THD415, THD430, MTR410 (elective), electives
Spring-performance**, MTR420, MTR402 (elective), electives

*Based on audition or music theory exam.
**May choose from: TH 341-344 Theatre Studio, THD337/338 Dance Studio Zodiaque, THD340 Dance Studio, MTR405 GEMMS Musical Theatre, MUS151 University Choir, MUS321 University Chorus, MUS350 Opera Workshop

Tutorials may be taken for dance technique classes.

Academic Affairs

Phone: (716) 645-6003

Fax: (716) 645-2549

Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:19 EST