Musical Theatre (BA)
Offered by the Department of Performing Arts, College of Arts and Sciences.
Admission to the Program
Formal admission to the major requires demonstrated talent through an audition arranged with the department, preferably prior to beginning university studies. However, a student may enter as an intended major and audition once matriculated. Students will be accepted based on programmatic approval and written declaration of major.
- 120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2)
- Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9)
AU Core Requirements
- Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6)
- Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7)
- Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11)
For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum.
Major Requirements
- 54 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 24 credit hours at or above 300-level
- Students who wish to study abroad must receive prior approval from their advisor in order to ensure that appropriate courses will transfer and that scholarships and financial aid will apply
Course Requirements
Core (22 credit hours)
- PERF-170 Theatre Matters (3)
- PERF-251 Fundamentals of Acting (3)
- PERF-260 Stagecraft (3)
- PERF-261 Introduction to Stage Design (3)
- PERF-262 Stage Management (1)
- PERF-270 Dramaturgy: Dynamic Worldmaking (3)
- PERF-365 Theatre History (3)
- PERF-370 Drama of the Global Majority (3)
Production Participation (2-4 credit hours)
Complete the following to demonstrate participation in a minimum of four department productions in either a performance or technical capacity, including one production as a stage manager or assistant stage manager, and one production in another technical capacity:
- PERF-065 Musical/Theatre Production (0)
- PERF-165 Musical/Theatre Production (1)
- PERF-265 Theatre Practicum (1) : Sets, Costumes, Props
- PERF-265 Theatre Practicum (1) : Stage Management
Musical Theatre (27 credit hours)
Required
Complete 21 credit hours from the following:
- PERF-126 Musicianship I (3)
- PERF-127 Musicianship II (3)
- PERF-308 The Physical Actor (3)
- PERF-340 From Scene Into Song (3)
- PERF-346 Survey of Musical Theatre (3)
- PERF-348 Scene Study (3)
- PERF-456 Audition Techniques (3)
Dance Techniques
Complete 3 courses in dance techniques from the following, taken over three different semesters, for a minimum total of 3 credit hours:
- PERF-109 Dance Practicum (1)
- PERF-209 Dance Practicum (1)
- PERF-309 Dance Practicum (1)
- PERF-409 Dance Practicum (1)
Vocal Techniques
Complete 3 courses in vocal techniques from the following, taken over three different semesters, for a minimum total of 3 credit hours:
Capstone (3 credit hours)
Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees
American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor's/master's programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor's / Master's Program and Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees for more information.