The Bachelor of Fine Arts track in Musical Theatre is offered for students who, upon graduation, plan to pursue a specialized performance career on the musical theatre stage. It provides the student with a thorough foundation in theatre complemented by very structured and intensive career preparation in all areas of musical theatre. The Musical Theatre B.F.A. program offers a sequence of courses in acting, movement, voice, dance, music theory, and piano. Classwork is augmented with practical production experiences. Drawing upon a variety of acting, dance, and voice methodologies, the professional musical theatre performance program offers an organic approach to musical theatre performance training. The first two years focus on the fundamentals of music theory, piano, acting, ballet, jazz, and musical theatre voice, with an emphasis on the development of artist's instrument. During the junior and senior years, emphasis is placed on studio training, musical theatre scene study, and musical theatre repertoire. The program culminates with a professional internship where students are able to apply their education in a real world work environment. While most students choose to enter the work force following graduation, the BFA is an excellent degree for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in theatre. Work within the BFA program requires energy and dedication; therefore, other part-time study or outside employment is very challenging. BFA standards are high, both for admission and for continuation in the program.
Admission Requirements
- The departmental faculty evaluates students desiring to become BFA majors via auditions and interviews. This should be completed the academic year prior to attending UCF. For complete information visit the audition site online at https://cah.ucf.edu/performingarts/study/#theatreundergrad. All BFA students are accepted on a "Provisional" basis their first year. Faculty will evaluate their work and decide whether or not the student may continue the program at the end of the first year.
- Students may audition once for each program and should do so during the same audition cycle if interested in more than one program. FTIC students who do not enroll at UCF and return after earning a FCS AA degree may audition a second time.
- The Musical Theatre plan of study requires a Fall start for proper course sequencing. Students are not accepted to begin theatre courses in the Spring or Summer semesters.
Degree Requirements
- Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog. Students must follow the most recent department, internship and school student handbooks which are available on the department website at https://cah.ucf.edu/performingarts/academics/student-resources/ .
- Students in this major must earn a "C" (2.0) or better or an "S" in each theatre course and maintain a 3.0 GPA for all courses required in the major and all courses taken in theatre and music; must not receive a negative evaluation in a regularly scheduled program review; and must not exhibit chronic unprofessional behavior. Failure to meet these standards will result in probation and/or dismissal from the program. Refer to the SPA Undergraduate Student Handbook - Theatre (https://cah.ucf.edu/performingarts/academics/student-resources/) for details on program standards.
- Departmental Residency Requirement consists of 60 semester hours of courses taken from the UCF Theatre Department.
- All BFA Musical Theatre majors are required to audition for all Fall and Spring productions and must accept the roles assigned. Students must be registered for the appropriate Theatre Participation course in the term in which they participate. Students need not take additional hours to satisfy practicum requirements. Once students have completed their production participation requirements, they may register for a "0" credit participation course to meet departmental registration requirements if they choose. Students may use additional participation credits as electives.
- The department will accept one credit of Theatre Participation coursework for students transferring into the program. Any additional transfer participation credits will count toward electives.
- Internships are subject to departmental approval and may not be fulfilled through participating on a UCF theatre production.
- Courses designated Common Program Prerequisites are usually completed in the first 60 hours.
- Courses designated General Education Program are taken throughout all four years.
- Co-op cannot be used in this major.
Degree Requirements
Core Requirements: Basic Level
26 Total Credits
- Earn at least 26 credits from the following:
- MUT1121 - Music Theory and Musicianship I (4)
- MUT1122 - Music Theory and Musicianship II (4)
- MVK1111 - Class Piano I (1)
- MVK1112 - Class Piano II (1)
- DAA2200C - Ballet I (2)
- DAA2201C - Ballet II (2)
- DAA2570C - Jazz Dance I (2)
- DAA2571C - Jazz Dance II (2)
- DAA2520C - Tap Dance I (2)
- TPA2248C - Makeup Techniques (2)
- TPP2170C - Acting II - The Actor and Text (3)
- TPA2200L - Intro to Technical Theatre Lab (1)
- THE2081C - Introduction to UCF Theatre (0 - 99)
Core Requirements: Advanced Level
48 Total Credits
- Earn at least 48 credits from the following:
- TPP3173C - Acting III - The Actor and Character (3)
- TPP4140C - Acting IV - The Actor at Play (3)
- TPP3251C - Musical Theatre Monologue (2)
- TPP3252C - Musical Theatre Scene Study (2)
- THE3240 - Evolution of Musical Theatre (3)
- THE3311 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature I (3)
- THE3312 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature II (3)
- TPP2742C - Estill for Musical Theatre – Craft (2)
- TPP3272C - Estill for Musical Theatre – Artistry (2)
- TPP3743C - Musical Theatre Applied/Studio Voice I (2)
- TPP3744C - Musical Theatre Applied/Studio Voice II (2)
- TPP4259C - MT Applied/Studio Voice III (2)
- TPP4270C - MT Applied/Studio Voice IV (2)
- TPP4271C - MT Applied/Studio Voice V (2)
- TPP4923C - MT Applied/Studio Voice VI (2)
- TPP4940L - Theatre Internship (6)
- TPP4223C - Theatre Careers in Performance (3)
- TPP3310 - The Theatre Director's Role (3)
- TPP4193L - Theatre Participation-Performance II (1 - 99)
- THE4954 - Theatre Exit Critique
Grand Total Credits: 74
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 129
Restricted Electives
- Any THE, TPA, TPP, DAA, or DAN course taught by the Theatre Department, except THE 3006, and not already applied toward a program requirement. Independent Study, Undergraduate Research and Honors in the Major courses taught by the Department of Theatre can also be used as electives. Exceptions must be approved in advance by the Theatre Department Undergraduate Coordinator. Courses with these prefixes not taught by the Department of Theatre cannot be used in this program.
Capstone Requirements
Electives
Foreign Language Requirements
Admissions
- Two years of one foreign language in high school, or one year of one foreign language in college (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.
Graduation
Additional Requirements
- Signature Experience requirement is met by successful completion of the following course(s): TPP 4940L - Theatre Internship Credit Hours: 6
Required Minors or Areas of Concentration
Departmental Exit Requirements
- Earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in each Theatre course.
- Maintain a Theatre GPA of "B" (3.0) or better.
- Complete an Exit Survey, Exit Interview, and Audit Check the semester prior to final semester of theatre classes.
- Minimum of 60 theatre credits must be completed in residency at UCF.
- Complete 93 theatre credits in addition to the GEP for a total of 129. Courses that count in the GEP cannot also count towards total theatre credits.
University Minimum Exit Requirements
- A 2.0 UCF GPA
- 42 semester hours of upper division credit completed.
- 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded.
- 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
- A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
- Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.
Additional Information
Honors In Major
- Students interested in completing Honors in the Major should contact their program advisor. More information about Honors in the Major can be found at https://honors.ucf.edu/hut/about/#hut.
Related Programs
- Film (B.F.A.)
- Music (B.A.)
- Theatre Studies (B.A.)
Related Certificates
Related Minors
- Music Minor
- Film, Cinema Studies Minor
- Theatre Minor
- Dance Minor
Advising Notes
- Students must consult with a departmental advisor every semester before registration. Students who do not consult with their department advisor will be placed on departmental probation. Repeated failure to consult with a department advisor may lead to release from the program.
Transfer Notes
- Due to its conservatory nature, the BFA demands a closely integrated four-year curriculum. Although the program is not designed for transfer students, transfer students may audition and may be admitted, but they should consult with the Department Undergraduate Coordinator to evaluate their transfer credits and to estimate the length of their program of study. We encourage any student wishing to transfer to complete the General Education Program and the Common Program Prerequisites before transferring within the Florida College System or State University System.
- Courses taken at Florida College System institutions may substitute for select upper division courses with permission of the department, although they will not count as upper division credits. University minimum upper division credit requirement must still be met.
- Transfer students will be required to meet the departmental theatre participation requirement through participation on UCF productions.
- Courses transferred from private and out-of-state schools must be evaluated for equivalency credit. The student must provide all supporting information.
Acceptable Substitutes for Transfer Courses
Acceptable Substitutes for common program prerequisites if taken prior to transferring to UCF:
- THE 2305 - Script Analysis for Theatre Credit Hours: 3 May use any introductory Theatre Play or Script Analysis class. Script Analysis for Film cannot substitute.
- TPA 2200 - Introduction to Technical Theatre Credit Hours: 2 May be substituted with any introductory Stagecraft Course. Lab will still need to be taken.
- TPP 3310 - The Theatre Director’s Role Credit Hours: 3 May be substituted with TPP 2300 or any introductory Theatre Directing course. Directing for Film cannot substitute.
- TPP 2110C - Acting I – Freeing the Actor Credit Hours: 3 May be substituted with any introductory acting for theatre course.
Equipment Fees
- Part-Time Student: $45 per term
- Full-Time Student: $90 per term
Plan of Study
Freshman Year - Fall (14 Credit Hours)
- THE 2000 - Theatre Survey Credit Hours: 3
- THE 2081 - Introduction to UCF Theatre Credit Hours: 0
- DAA 2200C - Ballet I Credit Hours: 2
- THE 2305 - Script Analysis for Theatre Credit Hours: 3
- TPA 2290L - Theatre Participation-Production I Credit Hours: Variable
- TPP 2742C - Estill for Musical Theatre – Craft Credit Hours: 2
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3
Freshman Year - Spring (16 Credit Hours)
- TPP 2110C - Acting I – Freeing the Actor Credit Hours: 3
- DAA 2201C - Ballet II Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 3272C - Estill for Musical Theatre – Artistry Credit Hours: 2
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
- MUT 1121 - Music Theory and Musicianship I Credit Hours: 4
- MVK 1111 - Class Piano I Credit Hours: 1
- TPP 2170C - Acting II - The Actor and Text Credit Hours: 3
- DAA 2570C - Jazz Dance I Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 3743C - Musical Theatre Applied/Studio Voice I Credit Hours: 2
- THE 3240 - Evolution of Musical Theatre Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- MUT 1122 - Music Theory and Musicianship II Credit Hours: 4
- MVK 1112 - Class Piano II Credit Hours: 1
- DAA 2571C - Jazz Dance II Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 3173C - Acting III - The Actor and Character Credit Hours: 3
- THE 3311 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature I Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 3744C - Musical Theatre Applied/Studio Voice II Credit Hours: 2
Junior Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
- TPA 2248C - Makeup Techniques Credit Hours: 2
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4259C - MT Applied/Studio Voice III Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 3251C - Musical Theatre Monologue Credit Hours: 2
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- THE 3312 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature II Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Spring (16 Credit Hours)
- TPP 4223C - Theatre Careers in Performance Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4270C - MT Applied/Studio Voice IV Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 3252C - Musical Theatre Scene Study Credit Hours: 2
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- TPA 2200 - Introduction to Technical Theatre Credit Hours: 2
- TPA 2200L - Intro to Technical Theatre Lab Credit Hours: 1
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
- TPP 4940L - Theatre Internship Credit Hours: 6
Senior Year - Fall (17 Credit Hours)
- DAA 2520C - Tap Dance I Credit Hours: 2
- THE 4954 - Theatre Exit Critique Credit Hours: 0
- TPP 4140C - Acting IV - The Actor at Play Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4271C - MT Applied/Studio Voice V Credit Hours: 2
- THE 2925L - Theatre Participation - Management I Credit Hours: 1
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- Theatre Elective Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- TPP 3310 - The Theatre Director’s Role Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4923C - MT Applied/Studio Voice VI Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 4193L - Theatre Participation-Performance II Credit Hours: Variable
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- Theatre Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Theatre Elective Credit Hours: 3
