Musical Theatre

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 and Film, the Lionel Hampton School of Music and the Student Theatre Organization.

Prepare for Success

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 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
• MusX 283 – Diction
• English 101 and 102 – College Writing
• Core Discovery

Printable four-year plan

What You Can Do

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

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 and Film 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

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 and Film are recognized worldwide as accomplished performers, soloists, chamber musicians, conductors, composers and teachers. They are leading experts in education, acting, piano, voice, guitar, and orchestra and band instruments, with extensive experience performing professionally in classical, jazz, operatic and popular ensembles. Current faculty research interests and areas of expertise include:

• Performances with Lyric Opera San Diego, 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
• Jazz performance and education
• Stages of growth of new teachers, music education in one-room schools, vocal physiology and Byzantine music notation

Activities

Student Theatre Organization

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.

• 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 perform with the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre and other local and regional theatres.
• 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.
• Auditorium Chamber Music Series: The series presents some of the world's finest chamber ensembles in concert, and it also places these extraordinary musicians in university and public school classrooms and community centers in our region.
• 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

Facilities

Lionel Hampton School of Music Facilities
The Music Building houses the Schuldt Music Library, faculty studios, ensemble rehearsal areas, classrooms, an electronic music lab, a music education materials center, a listening center and a recital hall. Individual practice rooms are available in nearby Ridenbaugh Hall. Recording, radio-television, language listening lab and computer facilities on the campus are also available to music students.

Department of Theatre and Film Facilities

• Hartung Theatre: The 417-seat theatre features a semi-thrust proscenium stage, new digital lighting and fully equipped shops for scenery and costume construction.
• Kiva Theatre: An intimate 125-seat theatre, configured for theatre-in-the-round. It also features digital lighting.
• Arena: The 50-seat black box studio is used for student productions, rehearsal space and as a classroom.