The Department of Theatre offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts that may be entered into during the third year. All freshman and transfer students entering the department are initially classified as Theatre Foundation students. After successfully completing the first two years of core theatre courses in their foundation areas of emphasis, students apply for admission to a specific degree program (B.F.A. or B.A.). In the B.F.A. students concentrate on areas in performance, including musical theatre, and stage management, as well as three areas of design/technology: scenic, lighting and costume. (See the individual concentration pages for curricular outlines.) Note: Entry into the musical theatre foundation program requires a change of major form.
Student participation in both credit- and noncredit-bearing department activities may be required. Students matriculating in School of the Arts degree programs are bound by the policies and procedures stipulated in this bulletin and in any other current handbook or policy document adopted by the individual programs.
Because of the environment that exists in these preprofessional programs, all aspects of theatre as art, craft, business and education are experienced together. The curriculum immerses students in the practicalities of theatre. Throughout the four years, the performer works daily with voice, body and imagination, while the designer/technician is involved in studio classes and practical application.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:
- Demonstrate skills and techniques needed to enter the profession as a musical theatre actor
- Demonstrate knowledge of history, theory and literature of theatre and musical theatre and their practical applications
Degree requirements for Theatre, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a concentration in musical theatre performance
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| THEA 100 | Technical Production | 1 |
| THEA 111 | Fundamentals of Performance | 3 |
| THEA 112 | Fundamentals of Theatrical Design | 3 |
| THEA 211 | Introduction to Drama | 3 |
| THEA 307 | History of the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 308 | History of the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 351 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| THEA 385 | Diverse Voices | 3 |
| THEA 495 | Senior Project: Portfolio Review | 1 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| THEA 102 | Introduction to Technical Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 110 | Improvisation | 3 |
| THEA 200 | Broadway Seminar | 1 |
| THEA 201 | Voice and Speech for the Actor I | 3 |
| THEA 202 | Voice and Speech for the Actor II | 3 |
| THEA 203 | Movement for the Actor I | 3 |
| THEA 204 | Movement for the Actor II | 3 |
| THEA 213 | Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 214 | Acting II | 3 |
| THEA 226 | Desktop Audio/Video | 2 |
| THEA 301 | Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor I | 3 |
| THEA 316 | Musical Theatre History | 3 |
| THEA 317 | Musical Theatre Performance I | 3 |
| THEA 318 | Musical Theatre Performance II | 3 |
| THEA 319 | Musical Theatre Dance Styles: Landmark Choreographers | 2 |
| THEA 417 | Cabaret Storytelling | 3 |
| THEA 419 | Professional Preparation | 3 |
| • Major electives | ||
| THEA course (select from 300 or 400 level) | 3 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| APPL 200 | Applied Lessons (repeated for eight credits) | 8 |
| APPM 126 | Keyboard Fundamentals | 1 |
| DANC 121 | Tap Technique I | 2 |
| or DANC 122 | Tap Technique I | |
| or DANC 151 | Jazz Dance Technique I | |
| or DANC 152 | Jazz Dance Technique I | |
| or DANC 221 | Tap Technique II | |
| or DANC 222 | Tap Technique II | |
| or DANC 255 | Hip Hop Dance | |
| or DANC 256 | Hip Hop Dance | |
| DANC 133 | Introduction to Ballet Technique I | 2 |
| or DANC 134 | Introduction to Ballet Technique II | |
| MHIS 115 | Fundamental Musicianship | 2 |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| APPL 200 | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| THEA 100 | Technical Production | 1 |
| THEA 102 | Introduction to Technical Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 111 | Fundamentals of Performance | 3 |
| THEA 211 | Introduction to Drama | 3 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| APPL 200 | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| THEA 110 | Improvisation | 3 |
| THEA 112 | Fundamentals of Theatrical Design | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| APPL 200 | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| THEA 200 | Broadway Seminar | 1 |
| THEA 201 | Voice and Speech for the Actor I | 3 |
| THEA 203 | Movement for the Actor I | 3 |
| THEA 213 | Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 226 | Desktop Audio/Video | 2 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| APPL 200 | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| MHIS 115 | Fundamental Musicianship | 2 |
| THEA 202 | Voice and Speech for the Actor II | 3 |
| THEA 204 | Movement for the Actor II | 3 |
| THEA 214 | Acting II | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| APPL 200 | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| DANC 133 or DANC 134 | Introduction to Ballet Technique I or Introduction to Ballet Technique II | 2 |
| THEA 301 | Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor I | 3 |
| THEA 307 | History of the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 317 | Musical Theatre Performance I | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| APPL 200 | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| DANC 121 | Tap Technique I or Tap Technique I or Jazz Dance Technique I or Jazz Dance Technique I or Tap Technique II or Tap Technique II or Hip Hop Dance or Hip Hop Dance | 2 |
| THEA 308 | History of the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 318 | Musical Theatre Performance II | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| APPL 200 | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| APPM 126 | Keyboard Fundamentals | 1 |
| THEA 316 | Musical Theatre History | 3 |
| THEA 319 | Musical Theatre Dance Styles: Landmark Choreographers | 2 |
| THEA 385 | Diverse Voices | 3 |
| THEA 419 | Professional Preparation | 3 |
| Open elective | 2 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| APPL 200 | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| THEA 351 | Rehearsal and Performance | 3 |
| THEA 417 | Cabaret Storytelling | 3 |
| THEA 495 | Senior Project: Portfolio Review | 1 |
| THEA elective (300 or 400 level) | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.