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Course Syllabus

MUSC 3040 Musical Theater for Musicians

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Repeatable: Yes.
  • Prerequisites: Admission into the BMCM degree, or permission of the instructor.
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2030
  • End Semester: Fall 2031
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 16

Course Description

This class develops Musical Theater craft through class exercises, improvisation, rehearsal, performance, and various methods of character analysis and scene analysis. Students will stretch their ability to live in a play’s given circumstances and to handle text and rehearsal work.
Students will synthesize movement and voice work, and apply a firm understanding of acting concepts and terminology. This class may involve an end of semester performance. Class is repeatable for credit.

Justification

This course provides students who are interested in pursuing musical theater performance professionally or avocationally an opportunity to learn and practice the skills necessary for success. This course will count as one of the seven hours of electives for students completing the performance track of the Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Commercial Music (BMCM) degree.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to articulate and constructively participate in creative processes of rehearsal and performance.
  2. Students will demonstrate technique as singing actors, specifically learning how to integrate technical skills with movement, communication and interaction.
  3. Students will be able to analyze scenes and characters from an actor’s point of view, through beats, choice of objectives, actions, and obstacles congruent with the text. They will apply various character analysis tools as directed
  4. Students will be able to analyze and evaluate the elements of a successful performance.
  5. Students will be able to portray the inner life of their characters, applying their own life experiences and imagination, deepening relationships within the world of the play.
  6. Students will be able to collaborate creatively as a team to produce a professional quality production.

Course Content

Knowledge and Skill Building areas may include:● Communication Techniques - visual communication techniques● Production Skills - responsibility for a production aspect● Academic Skills - writing, research, discussion● Vocal development - application of technical development to character, expressive range and nuance● The ability to study and analyze dramatic, musical works, an understanding of genre, style, and direction.● An understanding of the contextual importance of musical theatre in the humanities, in the finearts and part of the human experience.● Collaboration- Build verbal and written communication skills with all members of the collaborative design and production team.Material will be selected from a wide range of style, genre, historical and cultural backgrounds.