The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts (INFA)--Musical Theater Track. A unique academic program that blends key elements of a traditional musical theatre curriculum with an expanded focus on the essential techniques essential to all genres of theater.
The Musical Theater Track can prepare you for entry-level work, or graduate school training toward a career in theater and related occupations of the entertainment industry. Competition is keen in musical theater, and this degree will prepare you for additional training if it’s your dream to become a musical theater professional.
Many graduates also find themselves well suited to other careers that require collaborative skills and creative imagination coupled with the discipline of musical theater training and performance. Advertising, law, counseling, and event management are examples.
“I find I’m in a great place where the faculty and students work together to build a safe space to challenge ideas and foster creativity.”
—Jeannie-Marie Brown, Faculty Director, Musical Theater Program
Audition/Interview Requirements
- Must be accepted to IUP prior to auditioning.
- Must be accepted into both the Music and Theater/Dance departments
- Audition dates and times for both departments are coordinated by Toni Apryasz, e-mail: tonia@iup.edu; phone: 724-357-2965. Please contact Toni if you have any questions.
“I always wanted to write a musical, but never thought I could do it. IUP showed me how!”
—Joe York, student
This track combines the outstanding resources of IUP’s Department of Theater and Dance with the Department of Music. All applicants for this degree program audition for both departments in a unified audition.
Theater and Dance Department requirements:
- Prepare one audition monologue of no more than ninety seconds.
- (optional) Prepare and short dance piece (jazz, tap, or modern) of no more than ninety seconds.
- Interview with department faculty.
Note: For answers to questions concerning your audition pieces, please contact the following:
Theater Monologues: Jeannie-Marie Brown, Jeannie-Marie.Brown@iup.edu
Dance: Joan Van Dyke, jvandyke@iup.edu
Music Department requirements:
- Prepare two music theater songs of contrasting style:
- One of the songs must be classic Broadway—pre-1960.
- Both songs must be memorized.
- An accompanist will be provided.
- Take the Music Department audition test—a listening test where students discern changes between two different pieces of music.
Note: If you have questions concerning the music portion, contact Dr. Sarah J. Mantel, sjmantel@iup.edu.
To confirm your audition time/location, contact Ms. Vickie Morganti, vicmrgnt@iup.edu.
Once accepted into the Music-Theater track of the I.F.A. degree, a student is assigned a primary advisor in the Department of Theater and Dance and a secondary advisor in the Department of Music. This will ensure that each Music-Theater major can meet all degree requirements within a regular four-year course of study at IUP.
Curriculum Overview of Bachelor of Arts–Interdisciplinary Fine Arts — Music Theater Track
Liberal Studies: 53 Credits
As outlined in Liberal Studies section with the following specifications:
Fine Arts: MUHI 101 or DANC 102
Mathematics: 3cr
Liberal Studies Electives: 9cr, no courses with FIAR prefix
Major: 40 Credits
Required Courses: 33-36 Credits
Dance: 6-12 cr
DANC 102 Introduction to Dance, 3 cr[1]
DANC 150 Fundamentals of Dance, 3 cr[2]
DANC 260 Beginning Jazz, 3 cr
OR
DANC 485 Dance Studio: Jazz, 3 cr[3]
DANC 270 Beginning Ballroom/Tap, 3 cr
OR
DANC 485 Dance Studio: Ballroom/Tap, 3 cr[4]
Music: 9-12 cr
MUHI 101 Introduction to Music, 3 cr[5]
MUSC 111 Music Theory Skills I, 2 cr
MUSC 115 Music Theory I, 3 cr
APMU 105 Private Voice I, 1 cr
APMU 155 Private Voice II, 1 cr
APMU 205 Private Voice III, 1 cr
APMU 255 Private Voice IV, 1 cr
Theater: 9 cr
THTR 111 Foundations of Theater, 3 cr
THTR 240 Acting I, 3 cr
THTR 487 Acting Studio, 3 cr
Ensemble/Production Requirements:[6]3-6 cr
MUSC 126 Music Theater, 1-3 cr
THTR 486 Practicum in Production[7], .5-3 cr
Required Electives:[8] 4-7 cr
Dance:
DANC 250 Modern, 3 cr
DANC 280 Ballet, 3 cr
DANC 290 Ethnic, 3 cr
DANC 351 Choreography, 3 cr
DANC 485 Dance Studio: Modern, 3 cr
DANC 485 Dance Studio: Ballet, 3 cr
Music:
MUSC 112 Music Theory Skills II, 2 cr
MUSC 116 Theory II, 3 cr
MUSC 153 Class Piano I, 1 cr
MUSC 154 Class Piano II, 1 cr
MUSC 351 Italian Diction, 1 cr
MUSC 353 French Diction, 1 cr
MUSC 354 German Diction, 1 cr
Theater:
THTR 116 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design, 3 cr
THTR 120 Stagecraft, 3 cr
THTR 122 Costume Workshop, 3 cr
THTR 130 Stage Voice, 3 cr
THTR 131 Stage Movement, 3 cr
THTR 221 Basic Stage Lighting, 3 cr
THTR 223 Stage Makeup, 3 cr
THTR 341 Acting Styles, 3 cr
THTR 350 Directing, 3 cr
THTR 484 Directing Studio, 3 cr
THTR 487 Acting Studio, 3 cr
Controlled Electives:
APMU 305 Private Voice V, 1 cr
APMU 355 Private Voice VI, 1 cr
APMU 405 Private Voice VII, 1 cr
APMU 455 Private Voice VIII, 1 cr
MUSC 126 Music Theater, 1-3 cr
THTR 486 Practicum in Production, .5-3 cr
Free Electives: 21-27 cr
Total Degree Requirements: 120
- If a student in this track selects DANC 102 for the Liberal Studies requirement in the Fine Arts, this requirement is satisfied by that choice.
- Students with considerable dance training in three or more dance genres would not be required to take this course.
- Choice of level of Jazz course would depend upon previous training level of student.
- Choice of level of Ballroom/Tap course would depend upon previous training level of student.
- Required for major unless MUHI 101 has been used for the LS Fine Arts requirement.
- Six ensemble/production experiences over a minimum of six semesters. At least two production experiences need to be non-performance experiences.
- In the last year of this track, students would be required to do a major production responsibility under THTR 486 as a senior project in Music-Theater.
- As advised and in addition to any course listed above as an alternative.
