B.F.A. - Performing Arts: Musical Theatre
If musical theatre performance is your passion, consider the B.F.A. in Performing Arts: Musical Theatre, combining training in acting, singing, and dancing. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the training, this degree, in particular, requires students to be motivated and organized. You will typically have the opportunity to be in an acting class, a voice lesson, and a dance class every semester, if you wish. We believe a combination of classroom and production experiences contribute to the development of a well-rounded performer. We produce at least one mainstage musical each year, as well as smaller musical reviews productions such as musical revues, staged readings of new musicals, and even new musicals written by our students. If you’re a musical theatre student we encourage you to audition for dance concerts, plays, theatre for youth productions, and student-created works.
Students may audition and interview for admission into the B.F.A. - Performing Arts in their third semester. Before acceptance into the program, students interested in pursuing this degree are classified as "seeking admission." Visit the B.F.A. Audition Policy page for a full explanation of the process.
For more information contact Dr. Tiffany Bostic-Brown, tiffany.brown@wku.edu or Jennifer Wolcott, jennifer.wolcott@wku.edu.
Also, take a look at our Scholarships for First Time Theatre Students.
B.F.A. - Performing Arts: Musical Theatre Required Courses, beginning Fall 2020
B.F.A. - Performing Arts: Musical Theatre Required Courses, prior to Fall 2020
From our faculty directed mainstages, to our student directed studio and TYA seasons, to our New Works Festival, you’ll have all kinds of opportunities to learn by doing. Our department is your laboratory. At Western Kentucky University, we believe that what you learn in the shops, the studios, and onstage is every bit as important as what happens in the classroom. Our intensive production season provides plenty of hands on experience.
- 4 Mainstage Theatre productions, including at least one musical
- A Theatre for Young Audience Series of 2 or 3 productions
- A Next Stage Series of student created works
- A Rising Artist Series of showcases and works in progress
- 2 Mainstage dance concerts
- 3 Student-choreographed dance concerts
Students collaborate closely with department faculty in all kinds of ways:
Production
Students are collaborators on our faculty directed mainstage shows not only as actors
and crew but as designers, stage managers, dramaturgs, and assistant directors.
FUSE (Faculty-Undergraduate Student Engagement) Grant Projects:
FUSE grants support undergraduate students' intellectual development by fostering
active engagement in the areas of research, creative and scholarly activities, and/or
artistic performances.
Teacher Assistants
Students learn about teaching and enrich their own knowledge by serving as Teaching
Assistants for Theatre classes including University Experience, Musical Theatre History,
Fundamentals of Theatre, and multiple courses in our Acting sequence.
See more on our alumni page!
From Louisville to London to New York, we offer a range of options for experiencing professional theatre! Whether attending College Days weekend at the nationally renowned Humana Festival of New Plays at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville or spending a week in London or New York City, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experience professional theatre!
Our capstone course allows students to demonstrate their expertise in their area of study. Check out these recent examples:
B.A. majors must complete a minor or a secondary major.
B.F.A. students are not required to have a a minor or a secondary major, however, many B.F.A. student choose to pursue a minor.
Does the business side of the arts interest you? Are you thinking of opening a dance studio, working in the development office of a theatre company, or starting a youth theatre program? The Minor in Arts Administration is an introduction to field.
Dance majors and minors gain technical and performance experience in the genres of ballet, jazz, modern, and tap dance, explored in both concert and commercial dance forms.
If musical theatre performance is your passion, consider the B.F.A. in Performing Arts: Musical Theatre, combining training in acting, singing, and dancing.
We want to help you find your passion and make that passion a reality.
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