Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Musical Theatre with Dance Emphasis

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre is available with an emphasis in theatre or dance. This is a 138 hour degree.

Entry into the musical theatre program is by audition only, and those auditions are scheduled toward the end of every semester. Contact the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre for information.

Bachelor of Fine Arts-Major in Musical Theatre with Dance Emphasis
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Major: Foundation (Musical Theatre)
Theatre Course Requirements
Select two of the following:2
THEA 1115
Tech Build Crew
THEA 1116
Costume Crew
THEA 1117
Management Crew
THEA 3127
Advanced Theatre Mgmt. Crew 2
THEA 3115
Advanced Tech Build Crew 2
THEA 3116
Advanced Costume Crew 2
THEA 1364Beginning Acting3
THEA 2367Play Analysis3
Theatre Block Courses
The following courses are restricted until after the successful completion of the program-specific audition / portfolio and interview process.
THEA 2330Stage Make Up3
THEA 2336Voice I for the Actor3
Select one of the following3
THEA 2368
Intermediate Acting
THEA 3372
Improvisational Techniques
THEA 3360History Of The Theatre I3
THEA 3117Musical Theatre Workshop (8 semesters) 38
THEA 3369Advanced Acting: Modern Thtre 43
THEA 4331Acting For The Camera3
THEA 4332Auditioning For Comm Theatre3
THEA 4366Directing I3
THEA 4371The American Musical Theatre3
THEA 4190Senior Showcase1
Dance Emphasis--Musical Theatre Major
Select 12 hours of electives from the following12
Advanced DANC electives
DANC 1228
Tap Dance Technique I
DANC 2228
Tap Dance Technique II
THEA 3372
Improvisational Techniques 2
THEA 3373
Stage Movemnt I for the Actor 2
THEA 3395
Acting In Major Roles 2
THEA 4093
Theatre Internship 2
Dance Course Requirements
Dance Electives (8 semesters) 16
Music Course Requirements
MTVO 1201Musical Theatre Applied Voice (4 semesters) 58
MTVO 3100Platform Performances (2 semesters) 62
MTVO 3201Musical Theatre Applied Voice (4 semesters)8
MUSI 1115Keyboard Harmony I1
MUSI 1116Keyboard Harmony II1
MUSI 1226Practical Theory I2
MUSI 1227Practical Theory II2
Total Hours138
1

MATH 1332 is recommended.

2

The following courses are restricted until after the successful completion of the program-specific audition / portfolio and interview process.

3

Or up to 4 hours of THEA 3114, THEA 3395, THEA 4093, MUEN XXXX, MUSI XXXX with departmental approval. 

4

Or THEA 4093 or THEA 3395 with departmental approval. 

5

Or up to 4 hours of THEA 3395 THEA 4093, MUEN XXXX, VOIC XXXX, MUSI XXXX, with department approval.

6

Or THEA 3114 or MUEN XXXX with departmental approval.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.5 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.75 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.5 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.75 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Sophomore Gate. In conjunction with classes in acting, dance, and voice, musical theatre majors will participate in an assessment interview at the conclusion of the sophomore year (or end of first year for transfer students) with musical theatre faculty to determine the student’s progress and potential for completion of the BFA in Musical Theatre degree. 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area II13Dance Elective22
Dance Elective22ENGL 130233
ENGL 130133HIST 130163
MTVO 120142MTVO 120142
THEA 1115, 1116, 1117, 3115, 3116, or 31271THEA 1115, 1116, 1117, 3115, 3116, or 31271
THEA 13643THEA 233073
THEA 23673THEA 2368 or 337273
THEA 311751THEA 31175,71
 18 18
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IX1Component III4
Dance Elective22Dance Elective22
HIST 130263MTVO 120142
MTVO 120142MUSI 11161
MUSI 11151MUSI 12272
MUSI 12262POLS 230683
POLS 230583THEA 31175,71
THEA 233673THEA 336073
THEA 31175,71 
 18 18
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IV3Component Area III4
Component Area V3Component Area VIII3
Dance Elective22Dance Elective22
MTVO 310091MTVO 320142
MTVO 320142THEA 31175,71
THEA 31175,71THEA 433273
THEA 3369103THEA 437173
THEA 436673 
 18 18
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IX3Dance Elective22
Dance Elective22Electives from emphasis116
Electives from emphasis116MTVO 320142
MTVO 310091THEA 31175,71
MTVO 320142THEA 419071
THEA 31175,71THEA 433173
 15 15
Total Hours: 138
1

MATH 1332  is recommended.

2

Taken for 8 semesters.

3

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication). 

4

Or up to 4 hours of THEA 3395, THEA 4093, MUEN XXXX, VOIC XXXX, MUSI XXXX, with department approval. Taken for 4 semesters.

5

Or up to 4 hours of THEA 3114, THEA 3395, THEA 4093, MUEN XXXX, MUSI XXXX with departmental approval. Taken for 8 semesters.

6

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History). 

7

The following courses are restricted until after the successful completion of the program-specific audition / portfolio and interview process. 

8

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

9

Taken for 2 semesters.

10

Or THEA 4093 or THEA 3395 with departmental approval.

11

See, Emphasis Elective Course list below.

Emphasis Elective Courses 10
Advance DANC Elective
DANC 1228Tap Dance Technique I2
DANC 2228Tap Dance Technique II2
THEA 3372Improvisational Techniques3
THEA 3373Stage Movemnt I for the Actor3
THEA 3395Acting In Major Roles3
THEA 4093Theatre Internship3

Notes

Students must earn a 2.5 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.75 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.5 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.75 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

 Sophomore Gate. In conjunction with classes in acting, dance, and voice, musical theatre majors will participate in an assessment interview at the conclusion of the sophomore year (or end of first year for transfer students) with musical theatre faculty to determine the student’s progress and potential for completion of the BFA in Musical Theatre degree. 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BFA in Musical Theatre with Dance Emphasis is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  •  Creative, analytical, investigative, and pedagogical skills.
  •  Collaboration and professionalism as a member of a team.
  • Expression of ideas both orally and in performance.
  • Clear communication and active listening skills.