MUSICAL THEATRE
122 Introduction to Jazz Dance (1 credit hour)
See Dance 121
123, 124 Ballet for the Musical Theatre (2 credit hours each)
Permission of instructor.
133, 134 Introduction to Musical Theatre (2 credit hours each)
Prerequisite: Freshman Musical Theatre major. Overview of the field of Musical Theatre,
including career opportunities, historic trends, resource books, vocabulary terms, the
creative process, analysis of song form, techniques used in reading musicals, and the
philosophy of the audition process.
151, 152 Tap Dance I, II (1 credit hour each)
Permission of instructor.
207 Independent Study (1–3 credit hours)
For lower-division Musical Theatre students with permission of instructor. May be
repeated for credit.
235, 236 Performance I, II (3 credit hours each)
Prerequisite: Musical Theatre major or permission of instructor. A practical application of
rudimentary acting techniques to musical theatre performance, including song analysis,
vocal improvisation, physical improvisation with music, and beginning scene work.
253, 254 Dance Styles I, II (1 credit hour each)
Prerequisites: 124 or equivalent for 253; 253 for 254. These courses are designed to
teach Musical Theatre styles of dance, focusing mainly on jazz style; ballet and tap skills
are required; emphasis is placed on developing technique and auditioning skills.
280 Production Performance (1–3 credit hours)
For lower-division students with permission of instructor or by audition. Designed to
allow students to receive credit for performance in music theatre productions.
323, 324 Ballet for the Musical Theatre III, IV (1 credit hour each)
Prerequisite: 124 or permission of instructor; 323 is a prerequisite to 324. A
continuation of 123 and 124, emphasizing ballet technique and its application to the
musical theatre stage.
335, 336 Performance III and IV (3 credit hours each)
Prerequisite: 235, 236, or permission of instructor. A practical study of audition
techniques, cabaret performance, vocal coaching, recording analysis, and role research.
345, 346 Jazz Dance I, II (1 credit hour each)
Prerequisite: 154 or permission of instructor; 345 is a prerequisite to 346. A
junior/senior class in contemporary jazz dance.
351, 352 Tap Dance III, IV (1 credit hour each)
Permission of instructor. A continuation of 151, 152.
353, 354 Dance Styles III, IV (1 credit hour each)
Permission of instructor. A continuation of 253, 254.
357 Musical Theatre Seminar (2, 3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: Music Theatre major or permission of instructor.
407 Independent Study (1–3 credit hours)
For upper-division Musical Theatre students. May be repeated for credit.
435, 436 Performance IV, VI (3 credit hours each)
Prerequisite: 336 or permission of instructor. An advanced musical theatre scene study
class, exploring various techniques for each. Also includes focus on career performance
work.
441 History of American Musical Theatre I (3 credit hours)
A survey of the American musical theatre from about 1890 to 1940. An overview of
theatrical forms, including vaudeville, revues, operettas, and book musicals, from the
turn of the century to 1940, with particular attention to the composers and lyricists of
the period. Major works to be examined include Showboat, Of Thee I Sing and Porgy and
Bess. Lecture and discussion.
442 History of American Musical Theatre II (3 credit hours)
A continuation of 441, from 1940 to the present, with particular emphasis on theatrical
criticism; analysis of book, music, and lyrics in shows of various genres; and the
compilation of a bibliography.
443 Choreography for the Musical Theatre (2 credit hours)
Prerequisite: 123, 124, 253, 254.
445, 446 Jazz Dance III, IV (1 credit hour)
Permission of instructor.
450 Dance Workshop (1 credit hour)
Permission of instructor; By audition. Combines musical theatre dance, dialogue/text,
movement improvisation, and various styles of theatre music for the purpose of
exploring their inter-relationship. It will study the dichotomy and merging of physical
and verbal communication. A public performance may be presented as the culmination
of the course.
465, 466 Cabaret Performance I, II (2 credit hours each)
Permission of instructor; By audition. An overview of song styling, improvisation, and
acting technique is used to develop a personal singing style for cabaret, musical theatre,
and concert performances.
475 Writing Musical Theatre (2-3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. The course will bring together composers,
librettists, singers, and actors who want to collaborate on writing new material for the
musical stage. Using techniques such as improvisation and theatre games to stimulate
ideas, it will involve every member of the class in creating first a popular song, then a
short scene, and finally, the reading of a one-act musical piece.
480 Production Performance (1–3 credit hours)
For upper-division students with permission of instructor or by audition. This course is
designed to allow students to receive credit for performance in musical theatre
productions.
496 Senior Showcase (1 credit hour)
Studio course for graduating musical theatre seniors. Class-work involves extensive
repertoire exploration, vocal and dramatic coaching in solo literature, and participation
in two group musical numbers, culminating in several public presentations, including one
in New York City for agents and casting directors.