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.
Check out more student spotlights here
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
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:
- The Studio Series
- Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre - (a student run theatre company)
- The Annual Children’s Show
- Student Cabarets
- The New Musicals Workshop
- Faculty Developed Works
Why Choose Millikin?
There are a number of things that help set Milllikin apart from other schools:
- Small school environment
- First-year students are eligible for casting
- New Center for Theatre and Dance
- 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
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
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
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 University Studies requirements, musical theatre majors must complete the following:
Voice and Acting (21 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.
- TH141. Acting I (3)
- TH142. Acting II (3)
- TH240. Voice for the Stage (3)
- TH241. Advanced Voice (3)
- TH345. Acting: Advanced Scene Study I (3)
- TH317. Intro to Musical Theatre Studies (3)
- TH447. Musical Theatre Professional Preparation (3)
- TH368. Belting Technique and Performance
Dance and Movement (14-16 credits)
- Beginning Movement for Actors I (1)
- Beginning Movement for Actors II (1)
- Tap - One Semesters (1)
- Jazz - One Semester (1)
- Ballet - 2 semesters (2-4)
- DA446. Theatre Dance I (2)
- Dance/Movement electives (6)
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)
Private Voice Lessons (8 credits)
- 8 semesters (8)
Advanced Degree Options (8 credits - students may choose from)
- TH336. Stage Combat (3)
- TH346. Advanced Scene Study (3)
- TH446. Musical Theatre Scene Study (3)
- DA447. Theatre Dance II (2)
- Other approved performance electives such as Improvisation, Acting for Camera, Advanced Movement for Actors
Theatre Support (22 credits)
- TH131. Play Analysis (3)
- TH242. Theatrical Make-up (1)
- TH321. Directing I (3)
- TH335. History of Theatre and Drama I (3)
- Dramatic Literature/Theory/Criticism (3 credits)
- Theatre 101, 201, 301. Theatre Practicum (3 semesters, 3 credits)
- Technical Theatre requirement (3)