Musical Theatre

Note: An Audition for admission to the Musical Theatre major is required for this major.

Does the stage beckon you? Do you dream of appearing on Broadway? The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Musical Theatre could be the degree for you. Intense professional training in music, theatre and dance – combined with outstanding student performance opportunities – will give you the diverse skill set, quality stage experiences and personal confidence you need to launch a career in musical theatre.

As a B.F.A. student at the University of Idaho, you’ll learn – both in the classroom and on the stage – what it takes to succeed in professional theatre. You’ll receive individual attention and professional voice and theatrical training from leading faculty members who are also experienced performers. You’ll complete courses and studio instruction in voice, musical theatre, opera, acting, theory, performance techniques, dance and movement.

Musical theatre majors are required to present a recital during the senior year. You may have opportunities to perform in productions, including the annual collaborative musical theatre or opera production, the annual musical theatre/opera scenes production and the Idaho Repertory Theatre, University of Idaho’s resident summer theater company. Numerous other performance opportunities are available through the Department of Theatre Arts, the Lionel Hampton School of Music and the Student Theatre Organization.

Prepare for Success

Note: An audition for admission to the Musical Theatre major is required for this major.

The musical theatre program at the University of Idaho is not just a course of study, it’s a lifestyle. It is an extremely rigorous program that demands tremendous dedication. You will spend hours, both in and outside the classroom, perfecting your performance skills and developing your talents. To succeed in the profession, you must be extremely versatile with a strong stage presence and passion for the art.

To prepare while still in high school, take classes and/or private lessons in voice, drama and dance. You should also be actively involved in your school and community theatre groups.

Admission into the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Musical Theatre major requires an audition.

Your First Year

During your first year in the B.F.A. program, you will enroll in university general requirements, foundation courses in music, theatre, dance and studio voice instruction. You may take:

• MusC 141 and 142 – Theory I & II
• MusA 115 and 124 – Studio Instruction
• MusA – Major Ensemble
• TheF 105 and 106 – Basics of Performance
• TheF 207 – Theatrical Make-up
• Dance
• MusX 101 – Orientation for Music Majors
• English 101 and 102 – College Writing
• ISEM - Integrated Seminar

Printable four-year plan

What You Can Do

Note: An audition for admission to the Musical Theatre major is required for this major.

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Musical Theatre from the University of Idaho, you may become a:

• Professional theatre performer
• Actor
• Director
• Choreographer
• Opera singer
• Drama teacher
• Private instructor
• Playwright
• Scenic lighting and costume designer
• Stage manager
• Public relations and marketing officer
• Technical director
• Props manager
• Makeup designer
• Sound designer
• Sound engineer
• Dramaturge

The degree is also excellent preparation for graduate study in musical theatre.

Opportunities

A B.F.A. from the renowned Lionel Hampton School of Music and Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Idaho will open doors to many exciting opportunities. Many of our students use their education as a springboard to a successful career as a professional theatre performer. You may find opportunities to perform professionally in:

• Community theatre
• Regional theatre
• Broadway productions
• Off-Broadway productions
• Opera companies
• Television
• Film
• Private studios

Professional theatre companies that employ our graduates include:

• Oregon Shakespeare Festival
• Utah Shakespeare Festival
• Colorado Shakespeare Festival
• Mill Mountain Theatre in Virginia
• Texas Lyric Opera
• South Coast Repertory Theatre in California
• Seattle Repertory Theatre
• Portland Stage Theatre Company

A degree in music theatre, however, also prepares you to succeed in many other fields. When you study music, you develop valuable transferable skills – creativity, leadership, analytical and critical thinking, attention to detail, discipline, perseverance – all of which are highly desired in business and other fields.

Most importantly, a degree in music theatre gives you the ability to effectively communicate through music and acting. You’ll graduate empowered to use your talent to make a positive impact on others.

Current Research

University of Idaho faculty members in the Lionel Hampton School of Music and the Department of Theatre Arts are recognized worldwide as accomplished performers, directors, dramatic writers, designers, soloists, chamber musicians, conductors, composers and teachers. They are leading experts in education, acting, directing, piano and voice, with extensive experience performing professionally in classical, jazz, operatic and popular ensembles. Current faculty research interests and areas of expertise include:

• Performances with Idaho Repertory Theatre, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre and other regional theatres
• Music entrepreneurship
• Mental skills and techniques in training and presentation 
• Composition of music for video documentaries interactive CD ROM educational software and chamber music
• Vocal physiology

Activities

Sixth Street Players is a student organization that allows theatre arts majors to stage their own theatre productions. Students also are involved in regional and national theatre organizations such as:

• American Theatre in Higher Education
• United States Institute of Theatre Technology
• The American College Theatre Festival
• Northwest Drama Conference
• National Alliance for Musical Theatre

Music Organizations

• Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI): Sigma Zeta Chapter, the international fraternity for women in music
• Phi Mu Alpha: A music fraternity for men
• Collegiate Music Educators' National Conference (CMENC), University of Idaho Chapter
• Pi Kappa Lambda: An honorary music society
• Student Advisory Board: Acts as liaison between students and music administration

Hands-On Experience

Musical performance is an integral part of student and campus life at the University of Idaho. You’ll have many opportunities to perform on and off campus. You also are encouraged to build your resume and to make professional connections through performance and internship opportunities.

• Performance Opportunities: Numerous production opportunities are available through the Department of Theatre and Film’s Mainstage Season, Idaho Repertory Theatre and the Arena Series of the Student Theatre Organization.
• Internships: Students may intern with the Idaho Repertory Theatre, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre and other local and regional theatres. Students also can find internships in the film and television industry.

• School of Music Internships: Internships include arts management, choral administration, jazz festival audio technician, jazz festival site management and production management.

• Master Classes: Explores audition techniques, cabaret, career building and musical theatre.
• Recitals: Musical theatre majors are required to present a recital during their senior year.
• Ensembles: We have musical organization to fit the interests of almost everyone, including Opera/Musical Theatre Studio, University Chorus, Vandaleers Concert Choir, Vandal Marching Band, concert band, wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, jazz ensembles and many other performing groups.
• Dancers, Drummers and Dreamers: This spring performance is presented in collaboration with the University of Idaho Department of Dance. All dances are performed to original, live music composed by faculty and students in the Lionel Hampton School of Music.
• Community Performances: The region’s active arts community creates many opportunities for students to perform in a variety of venues.

Facilities

Lionel Hampton School of Music Facilities

Department of Theatre Facilities

The program maintains and utilizes three primary theatrical spaces:

• The Hartung Theatre, a 418-seat proscenium thrust theatre;
• The Collette Theatre, a 150-seat flexible space; and
• The Outdoor Theatre, a natural, outdoor amphitheatre.

All facilities maintain a full complement of theatrical lighting and sound equipment to achieve quality production.