Program Description
If you dream of becoming an actor, singer or dancer, you’ll gain hands-on experience at Central Michigan University and learn from experienced and enthusiastic faculty members who are eager to share their performance and production backgrounds. CMU’s music theatre program allows you to focus on a specialty and expand your expertise through a structured curriculum, opening doors for a variety of musical theatre careers. Beginning in your first year, you’ll have performance opportunities and can develop your skills as a director, set and lighting designer, makeup artist, stage manager, and choreographer. Your experience will be centered in state-of-the-art facilities, including a 500-seat proscenium arch theatre, 500-seat recital hall, arena-style theatre and large dance studio.
Put Your Music Theatre Degree to Work
Wondering what you can do with a music theatre degree? As a graduate of CMU’s music theatre program, you’ll have opportunities for a career as a music theatre performer, vocal performer, drama coach, actor, educator, dancer, arts administrator, director, choreographer or performing arts critic.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sample data
Below is a list of potential careers, median salary over the course of the career and projected job growth.
| Job | Median Pay | Job Growth through 2026 |
|---|
| Director/producer | $70,950 per year | 12% (16,100 more jobs) |
| Music director | $50,110 per year | 6% (4,600 more jobs) |
| Choreographer | $35,048 per year | 4% (900 more jobs) |
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Music Theatre Major
Students wishing to develop the skills necessary to become a professional performer in theatrical genres that combine acting with music and dance need a program that provides training and experience in those areas.
Music Theatre at CMU - Students interested in the BFA-Music Theatre program should contact the Office of the Dean, College of Communication and Fine Arts to discuss dates and criteria for the auditions.
Total: 82 semester hours
Required Courses I
(48 hours)
Note: Incoming students will be given a Theory Placement Exam. If recommended based on exam results, students should take MUS 206 (3 hours) prior to taking MUS 101.
Students demonstrating sufficient proficiency as determined by appropriate DAN faculty member(s) may substitute a higher level skills course for DAN 136, DAN 137, and DAN 138. Students demonstrating sufficient proficiency as determined by appropriate MUS faculty member(s) may substitute a higher level skills course for MUS 147 and MUS 148.
An introduction to and beginning instruction in the various techniques and styles of modern dance.
DAN 136
Ballet Technique I
2
To familiarize the beginning student with the basics of ballet.
An introductory dance course of basic tap instruction.
An introductory course in jazz dance that builds from traditional jazz into the contemporary.
DAN 230
Movement-Rhythmic Form and Structure
3
An in-depth study of the dynamic functions of movement and dance.
Training in basic terminology and in melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements and processes of music. Prerequisite: Admission to the School of Music. Co-requisite: MUS 103.
Continuation of MUS 101. Prerequisites: Admission to the School of Music; MUS 101 with a C or better.
MUS 103
Sight Singing and Ear Training I
1
Basic aural and vocal training in the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements of music. Prerequisite: Admission to the School of Music.
MUS 104
Sight Singing and Ear Training II
1
Continuation of MUS 103 (Sight Singing and Ear Training I). Prerequisites: Admission to the School of Music; MUS 103 with a C or better.
This course is designed to develop functional piano skills, such as sight reading, harmonization, basic repertoire, and technique appropriate to the level. Prerequisite: Admission to the School of Music; or signed Music Theatre Major.
This course is designed to continue the development of functional piano skills, such as sight reading, harmonization, basic repertoire, and technique. Prerequisites: Admission to the School of Music; or signed Music Theatre Major, MUS 147 with a C or better.
TAI 175
Appreciation of the Theatre
3
A survey course that explores the development of theatre by looking at the art, craft, and business of the theatre. (University Program Group I-B: The Arts)
Introductory voice and body work with special emphasis through exercises given to energy control and concentration.
Theory and practice in straight and character makeup.
Introduction to emotional technique and characterization through exercises and scenes in individual projects. Prerequisite: TAI 182.
TAI 352
Music Theatre Scene Study
3
Analysis and presentation of musical theatre scenes (duets, trios, groups). Study of character development in various music theatre styles. Prerequisites: MUS 250; TAI 182.
TAI 380
Musical Theatre History
3
Examination of American Musical Theatre history and forms from 1866 to the present.
TAI 452
Music Theatre Performance
3
Preparation and performance of musical theatre scenes and vignettes. Synthesis of performance techniques in music, dance, and theatre in relation to various musical theatre styles. Prerequisites: DAN 136, DAN 137, DAN 138, DAN 232; MUS 284, MUS 350; TAI 282, TAI 380.
TAI 460
BFA Capstone Project
3
Major capstone project in theatre (including music theatre) and/or interpretation. Prerequisite: Must be approved by TAI or Music Theatre faculty/staff advisor(s) prior to registration. Must be completed in final year of study.
Responsibilities, philosophies, and techniques of the stage director. Emphasis on preparation of scenes for evaluation. Prerequisite: TAI 182.
Required Courses II
(4 hours)
Participation in one of the following choral ensembles (may be repeated):
MUS 182
Women's Chorus
1-8
Preparation and performance of choral works for the female voice. Open by audition to any student in the University.
MUS 183
Concert Choir
1-8
Preparation and performance of choral works. Open by audition to any student in the University.
MUS 282
Chamber Singers
1-8
Preparation and performance of vocal chamber music from Medieval to contemporary with a focus on acapella music. Open by audition to any student in the University.
Required Courses III
(8 hours)
Each course to be taken for two semesters, 1 hour each semester, for a total of 8 hours:
Individualized program of applied studio instruction in voice performance focusing on the foundations of technique, musicianship, literature, and performance practice. This course is repeatable and intended as a two-semester foundation and pre-requisite for study at the 200-level. Prerequisite: Admission to the School of Music or Music Theater Program.
Individualized program of applied studio instruction in voice performance. Building technique, musicianship, literature, and performance practice studied in MUS 150. This course is repeatable and intended as a two-semester foundation and pre-requisite for study at the 300-level. Prerequisites: Admission to the School of Music or Music Theater Program; Successful completion of a 200-level performance jury.
MUS 284
Techniques for the Singing Actor
1-6
Preparation and performance of solo roles in scenes from standard operas, chamber operas, and/or musical theatre. Prerequisite: Admission to the School of Music or signed Music Theatre major.
Individualized program of applied studio instruction in voice performance focusing on advanced technique, musicianship, literature, and performance practice. This course is repeatable and intended as a two-semester foundation and pre-requisite for study at the 400-level or as a four-semester finalization of voice studies at the undergraduate level. Prerequisites: Admission to the School of Music or Music Theater Program; Successful completion of a 300-level performance jury.
Required Courses IV
(2 hours)
Select two TAI studio courses in one of the following areas of technical theatre for a faculty-supervised theatre production or for a faculty- supervised dance concert:
TAI 309
Studio: Stage Management
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of stage management. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 310
Studio: Sound
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of sound. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 311
Studio: Properties
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of properties. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 312
Studio: Scenery Construction and Rigging
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of scenery construction and rigging. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 313
Studio: Scenery Design
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of scenery design. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 314
Studio: Lighting
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of lighting. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 315
Studio: Lighting Design
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of lighting design. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 316
Studio: Technical Direction
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of technical direction. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 317
Studio: Costuming
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of costuming. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 318
Studio: Wardrobe Management
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of wardrobe management. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
TAI 319
Studio: Makeup
1-4
Major participation in faculty/staff-supervised university theatre or oral interpretation activities in the area of stage makeup. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.
Electives
(20 hours)
Select from DAN, MUS, TAI and/or cognate classes in consultation with the advisor. Students may not take more than nine (9) hours of electives in any one area (DAN, MUS, TAI).
