BFA Musical Theatre

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre is designed to prepare students for success in the professional theatre industry. By combining conservatory-style training with a strong liberal arts education, our students explore, develop, and hone their craft to become well-rounded artists with valuable skill sets that will prepare them for professional success.

Plan of Study

Core Learning Goals

Our core learning goals have been woven into all aspects of this rigorous four-year program from classroom and studio work, to rehearsals and productions in our mainstage season.

  • Technique
  • Analysis
  • Professionalism
  • Collaboration
Phantom in the Mirror

Performance Opportunities

Performance opportunities are available to students beginning in their first semester. All BFA performance majors are required to audition for our mainstage season and freshmen are eligible for casting. Additional performance opportunities may include:

  • Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre, a student run theatre company
  • The Annual Children’s Show
  • Student Cabarets
  • The New Musicals Initiative
  • Faculty Developed Works
The Heathers

Why Choose Millikin?

There are a number of things that help set Milllikin apart from other schools:

  • Small school environment
  • First-rate faculty
  • National reputation
  • New Center for Theatre and Dance (opening fall 2020)
  • Senior professional development experience (showcase)
  • Master classes with working professionals
  • Study abroad in our London Semester
  • New Musicals Workshop
  • Shakespeare Corrected
  • Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre
Nice Work Call The Whole Thing Off

Mainstage Season

Millikin’s mainstage season provides performance majors with many opportunities to gain valuable onstage experience. A typical season will include:

  • 2 musicals
  • 2 plays
  • 1 dance concert
  • In alternating seasons an opera co-produced with the School of Music or a 3rd play
9to5

The Millikin Difference

The small school environment at Millikin University offers students many advantages including:

  • Individualized attention
  • Studio classes capped at 16
  • Faculty/student mentorships
  • Interdisciplinary collaborations 
Nice Work Bla Bla Bla

Musical Theatre, BFA Required Courses

The BFA in Musical Theatre requires 128 credit hours for graduation, 91 of which must be in the major. In addition to completing Theatre Core and University Studies requirements, musical theatre majors must complete the following:

Voice and Acting (32 credits)

8 credits in applied voice, or one credit per semester enrolled at Millikin. Private music lessons in voice will carry a $150 per credit hour fee.

  • TH142. Acting II (3)
  • TH240. Voice for the Stage (3)
  • TH241. Advanced Voice (3)
  • TH345. Acting: Advanced Scene Study I (3)
  • TH346. Acting: Advanced Scene Study II (3)
  • TH446. Acting: Musical Stage I (3)
  • TH447. Acting: Musical Stage II (3)
  • Acting/applied voice electives (3)

Dance and Movement (16 credits)

  • Beginning Movement for Actors I (1)
  • Beginning Movement for Actors II (1)
  • Tap - Two Semesters (2)
  • Jazz - Two Semesters (2)
  • Ballet - 4 semesters, the first 4 semesters in the program (6-8 credits)
  • DA446. Theatre Dance I (2)
  • DA447. Theatre Dance II (2)

Music Support (18 credits)

  • Applied Piano (2)
  • Music Theory 111, 112 (4)
  • Ear Training 113, 114 (4)
  • TH337. Musical Theatre History and Literature I (3)
  • TH338. Musical Theatre History and Literature II (3)
  • TH339. Musical Theatre Repertoire I (1)
  • TH340. Musical Theatre Repertoire II (1)

Theatre Support (10 credits)

  • TH242. Theatrical Make-up (1)
  • Dramatic Literature/Theory/Criticism (3 credits)
  • Theatre Electives (3)
  • Theatre 101, 201, 301. Theatre Practicum (3 semesters, 3 credits)